T2 relaxation times of the anterolateral femoral cartilage in patients after ACL-reconstruction with and without a deep lateral femoral notch sign. Issue 106 (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Behzadi, Cyrus; Welsch, Goetz H.; Petersen, Jan-Philipp; Schoennagel, Bjoern P.; Bannas, Peter; Kaul, Michael G.; Schoen, Gerhard; Berger-Groch, Josephine; Adam, Gerhard; Regier, Marc
• Is Part Of: European journal of radiology. Issue 106(2018)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 91
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: Quantitative MRI -- T2 relaxation time -- Articular cartilage -- Deep lateral femoral notch sign -- Anterior cruciate ligament rupture; Medical radiology -- Periodicals; Radiology -- Periodicals; Radiologie médicale -- Périodiques; Medical radiology; Periodicals; 616.075705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2018.07.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0720-048X

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: To quantitatively assess T2 relaxation times of the anterolateral femoral cartilage following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-reconstruction with and without a positive deep lateral femoral notch sign (DLNS) at post-traumatic MRI. Materials and Methods: In 52 patients post-traumatic MRI as well as 12 months after ACL-rupture (ACLR) and surgical treatment were analysed. In 28 patients a positive DLNS was present at post-traumatic MRI. For quantitative analysis, T2 relaxation time measurements (7 TE: 10–70 ms) were performed at time of re-evaluation. Three polygonal ROIs encompassing the full cartilage layer were placed in the anterolateral femoral cartilage. Clinical assessment included Lysholm-Tegner-Activity-Score, Rasmussen's clinical score and modified Cincinnati-Rating-System-Questionnaire. Description and differences were calculated as means and confidence intervals of means, controlled for the cluster effect of person, if appropriate. Results: In patients with a positive DLNS after ACLR, relaxation times in the notch region were significantly prolonged compared to patients without a positive DLNS (Δ 7.4 ms, CI: 5.6–9.2; p-value <0.001) as well as to the adjacent anterior (Δ 5.7 ms, CI: 4.7–6.7; p-value <0.001) and central femoral cartilage (Δ 6.6 ms, CI: 5.7–7.6; p-value <0.001). Solely insignificant differences were noticed in the performed clinical scores comparing the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Significantly prolonged T2 relaxation times of the anterolateral femoral cartilage were found in patients with a positive DLNS following ACL-reconstruction compared to patients without a DLNS. Based on these results, it has to be assumed that a positive DLNS is associated with higher cartilage degradation.