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Skeletal Radiology
Published in: Skeletal Radiology 11/2023

31-03-2023 | Osteoarthrosis | Review Article

MRI-based T1rho and T2 cartilage compositional imaging in osteoarthritis: what have we learned and what is needed to apply it clinically and in a trial setting?

Authors: Thomas M. Link, Gabby B. Joseph, Xiaojuan Li

Published in: Skeletal Radiology | Issue 11/2023

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Abstract

Cartilage MRI-based T1rho and T2 compositional measurements have been developed to characterize cartilage matrix quality and diagnose cartilage damage before irreversible defects are found, allowing intervention at an early, potentially reversible disease stage. Over the last 2 decades, this technology was investigated in numerous studies and was validated using specimen studies and arthroscopy; and longitudinal studies documented its ability to predict progression of degenerative disease and radiographic osteoarthritis (OA). While T1rho and T2 measurements have shown promise in early disease stages, several hurdles have been encountered to apply this technology clinically. These include (i) challenges with cartilage segmentation, (ii) long image acquisition times, (iii) a lack of standardization of imaging, and (iv) an absence of reference databases and definitions of abnormal cut-off values. Progress has been made by developing deep-learning based automatic cartilage segmentation and faster imaging methods, enabling the feasibility of T1rho and T2 imaging for clinical and scientific trial applications. Also, the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Quantitative Imaging Biomarker Alliance mechanism was used to establish standardized profiles for compositional T1rho and T2 imaging, and multi-center feasibility testing is work in progress. The last hurdles are the development of reference databases and establishing a definition of normal versus abnormal cartilage T1rho and T2 values. Finally, effective treatments for prevention and slowing progression of OA are required in order to establish T1rho and T2 as imaging biomarkers for initiating and monitoring therapies, analogous to the role of dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) bone mineral density measurements in the management of osteoporosis.

Key points

• T1rho and T2 cartilage measurements have been validated in characterizing cartilage degenerative change using histology and arthroscopy as a reference.
• They have also been shown to predict progression of cartilage degeneration and incidence of radiographic OA.
• Advances have been made to facilitate clinical and trial application of T 1rho and T 2 by improved standardization of imaging and by establishing deep learning-based automatic cartilage segmentation.
• Effective treatments with disease-modifying OA specific drugs may establish T 1rho and T 2 cartilage compositional measurements as biomarkers to initiate and monitor treatment.
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Metadata
Title
MRI-based T1rho and T2 cartilage compositional imaging in osteoarthritis: what have we learned and what is needed to apply it clinically and in a trial setting?
Authors
Thomas M. Link
Gabby B. Joseph
Xiaojuan Li
Publication date
31-03-2023
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Skeletal Radiology / Issue 11/2023
Print ISSN: 0364-2348
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2161
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-023-04310-x

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