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Skeletal Radiology
Published in: Skeletal Radiology 12/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Osteoarthrosis | Scientific Article

Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of meniscal pathology ex vivo

Authors: Won C. Bae, Anthony S. Tadros, Tim Finkenstaedt, Jiang Du, Sheronda Statum, Christine B. Chung

Published in: Skeletal Radiology | Issue 12/2021

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Abstract

Objective

To determine the ability of conventional spin echo (SE) T2 and ultrashort echo time (UTE) T2* relaxation times to characterize pathology in cadaveric meniscus samples.

Materials and methods

From 10 human donors, 54 triangular (radially cut) meniscus samples were harvested. Meniscal pathology was classified as normal (n = 17), intrasubstance degenerated (n = 33), or torn (n = 4) using a modified arthroscopic grading system. Using a 3-T MR system, SE T2 and UTE T2* values of the menisci were determined, followed by histopathology. Effect of meniscal pathology on relaxation times and histology scores were determined, along with correlation between relaxation times and histology scores.

Results

Mean ± standard deviation UTE T2* values for normal, degenerated, and torn menisci were 3.6 ± 1.3 ms, 7.4 ± 2.5 ms, and 9.8 ± 5.7 ms, respectively, being significantly higher in degenerated (p < 0.0001) and torn (p = 0.0002) menisci compared to that in normal. In contrast, the respective mean SE T2 values were 27.7 ± 9.5 ms, 25.9 ± 7.0 ms, and 35.7 ± 10.4 ms, without significant differences between groups (all p > 0.14). In terms of histology, we found significant group-wise differences (each p < 0.05) in fiber organization and inner-tip surface integrity sub-scores, as well as the total score. Finally, we found a significant weak correlation between UTE T2* and histology total score (p = 0.007, Rs2 = 0.19), unlike the correlation between SE T2 and histology (p = 0.09, Rs2 = 0.05).

Conclusion

UTE T2* values were found to distinguish normal from both degenerated and torn menisci and correlated significantly with histopathology.
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Metadata
Title
Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of meniscal pathology ex vivo
Authors
Won C. Bae
Anthony S. Tadros
Tim Finkenstaedt
Jiang Du
Sheronda Statum
Christine B. Chung
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Skeletal Radiology / Issue 12/2021
Print ISSN: 0364-2348
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2161
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-021-03808-6

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Reply to “Comment on ‘Correlation between Hounsfield unit derived from head, thorax, abdomen, spine and pelvis CT and t-scores from DXA’”