Abstract #1677

Optimizing MT Point Selections for Knee QMT as a First Step in Evaluating the Tibiofemoral Joint

Nade Sritanyaratana¹, Pouria Mossahebi¹, Alexey A. Samsonov², Kevin M. Johnson³, Walter F. Block¹,³, Richard Kijowski²

¹Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States; ²Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States; ³Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States

Quantitative Magnetization Transfer (qMT) provides information about macromolecular properties in articular cartilage. However, due to requiring a series of MT acquisitions, qMT experiments can be costly in terms of imaging time for in-vivo protocols. Previously, a stable qMT protocol was established, utilizing 8 MT acquisitions to cover the patellofemoral joint within 30 minutes. This study seeks to reduce the number of MT acquisitions from 8 to 4 while maintaining adequate image quality compared to previous qMT in-vivo studies. An optimization approach is proposed, and the approach is validated in-vivo in the patellofemoral joint and demonstrated in the tibiofemoral joint.