Conclusions
Ultrashort echo time T1ρ measurements can noninvasively detect and quantify severity of meniscal degeneration, which has been correlated with progression of osteoarthritis.
Methods
Conventional and quantitative UTE-T1ρ MR sequences were performed on 4 meniscal samples using a 3T scanner. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and after 4, 8, and 12 hours of trypsin solution immersion, inducing proteoglycan loss. One sample was used as a control. Digest solutions were analyzed for glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content. The UTE-T1ρ studies were analyzed for quantitative changes.
Objective
The aim of the study was to determine whether quantitative ultrashort echo time (UTE) -T1ρ magnetic resonance (MR) measurements are sensitive to proteoglycan degradation in human menisci by trypsin digestion.
Results
Images showed progressive tissue swelling, fiber disorganization, and increase in signal intensity after GAG depletion. The UTE-T1ρ values tended to increase with time after trypsin treatment (P = 0.06). Cumulative GAG loss into the bath showed a trend of increased values for trypsin-treated samples (P = 0.1). Conclusions: Ultrashort echo time T1ρ measurements can noninvasively detect and quantify severity of meniscal degeneration, which has been correlated with progression of osteoarthritis.