Abstract #0688

Advanced Bi-Exponential Analysis of T2* in the Achilles Tendon of Pre- And Post-Operative Patients Using a Variable Echo Time Sequence at 3T

Vladimir Juras¹,², Sebastian Apprich¹, Pavol Szomolanyi¹, Oliver Bieri³, Xeni Deligianni³, Siegfried Trattnig¹

¹MR Centre of Excellence, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; ²Department of Imaging Methods, Institute of Measurement Science, Bratislava, Slovakia; ³Department of Radiology, Division of Radiological Physics, University of Basel Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

Mono-exponential curve-fitting for T2* calculation in AT can lead to misinterpretation of the results. The suggested algorithm for bi-exponential T2* fitting enables T2* to be a robust parameter that correlates with the actual clinical condition of the patient's tendon. T2* short may be a predictive marker for the probability of an AT rupture, as well as for a re-rupture after surgery. Bi-exponential fitting, although it is computationally more demanding, is also more precise and also allows distinguishing between bound and free water molecules.