T2 relaxation time measurements are limited in monitoring progression, once advanced cartilage defects at the knee occur: Longitudinal data from the osteoarthritis initiative. Issue 6 (13th September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jungmann, Pia M.; Kraus, Mareen S.; Nardo, Lorenzo; Liebl, Hans; Alizai, Hamza; Joseph, Gabby B.; Liu, Felix; Lynch, John; McCulloch, Chuck E.; Nevitt, Michael C.; Link, Thomas M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of magnetic resonance imaging. Volume 38:Issue 6(2013)
• Page Start: 1415
• Page End: 1424
• Publication Date: 2013-09-13
• Subjects: Magnetic resonance imaging -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1002/jmri.24137
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1053-1807

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jmri24137-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Purpose</title> <p>To study the natural evolution of cartilage T<sub>2</sub> relaxation times in knees with various extents of morphological cartilage abnormalities, assessed with 3 Tesla MRI from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.</p> </sec> <sec id="jmri24137-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Materials and Methods</title> <p>Right knee MRIs of 245, 45‐ to 60‐year‐old individuals without radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) were included. Cartilage was segmented and T<sub>2</sub> maps were generated in five compartments (patella, medial and lateral femoral condyle, medial, and lateral tibia) at baseline and 2‐year follow‐up. We examined the association of T<sub>2</sub> values and 2‐year change of T<sub>2</sub> values with various Whole‐Organ MR Imaging Scores (WORMS). Statistical analysis was performed with analysis of variance and Students t‐tests.</p> </sec> <sec id="jmri24137-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Higher baseline T<sub>2</sub> was associated with more severe cartilage defects at baseline and subsequent cartilage loss (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001). However, longitudinal T<sub>2</sub> change was inversely associated with both baseline (<italic>P</italic> = 0.038) and follow‐up (<italic>P</italic> = 0.002) severity of cartilage defects. Knees that developed new cartilage defects had smaller increases in T<sub>2</sub> than subjects without defects (<italic>P</italic> = 0.045). Individuals with higher baseline T<sub>2</sub> showed smaller T<sub>2</sub> increases over time (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001).</p> </sec> <sec id="jmri24137-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>An inverse correlation of longitudinal T<sub>2</sub> changes versus baseline T<sub>2</sub> values and morphological cartilage abnormalities suggests that once morphological cartilage defects occur, T<sub>2</sub> values may be limited for evaluating further cartilage degradation. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:1415–1424. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</p> </sec> </abstract>