Comparison of 3D MR imaging sequences in knee articular cartilage at 1.5 T

Abstract

Purpose: To compare 3D high-resolution MRI sequences in term of contrast, Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), artefacts and cartilage thickness in knee articular cartilage at 1.5 T. Materials and methods: Fourteen healthy volunteers and seven patients underwent articular knee cartilage exam. The 3D sequences were VOLUME Imaging with Body Enhancement (VIBE), True Fast Imaging with Steady-state Precession (TRUEFISP), Dual Echo Steady State (DESS), Multi Echo Data Image Combination (MEDIC) and Sampling Perfection with Application optimized Contrasts using different flip angle Evolutions (SPACE). For all 3D sequences, we measured contrast ratio between cartilage-bone and cartilage-meniscus, SNR and cartilage thickness. In addition, we quantified magnetic susceptibility and flow artifacts. Statistical analyses were performed using the t-test and P<0.005 was considered statistically significant. Results: Statistical results were significantly different (p>0.05). MEDIC and VIBE sequences showed the best contrast ratio between cartilage-meniscus (0.40 ± 0.14, p=0.000) and cartilage-bone (0.75 ± 0.4, p=0.022), respectively. TRUEFISP sequence showed the highest SNR (28.04 ± 14.05, p=0.000) whereas DESS sequence showed the lowest SNR (11.62 ± 3.99, p=0.000). VIBE sequence provided the highest cartilage thickness measurement compared to the remaining 3D sequences (2.0 ± 0.4 cm, IRR=75.33%, ICC=0.96). The quantification of magnetic susceptibility and flow artifacts revealed that TRUEFISP (IRR=59%, ICC=0.92) and SPACE (IRR=59%, ICC=0.96) sequences presented the highest artifacts compared to the others sequences. Conclusion: 3D high-resolution sequences provide knee articular cartilage imaging with high image quality in relatively short acquisition time. MEDIC and VIBE sequences showed the best contrast and the lowest magnetic susceptibility and flow artifacts, TRUEFISP and SPACE sequence showed the highest SNR but they are more sensitive to artifacts, DESS sequence showed medium contrast and VIBE sequence provided the highest cartilage thickness.

Comparison of 3D water selective excitation sequences versus conventional 2D fat suppressed sequences of MRI in evaluation of knee cartilage

“…Hence, 3D water excitation sequence was found to be better than 2D fat suppression sequence for cartilage over lateral tibial plateau. This study correlates well with the study done by Mokhtar Mars et al in 2018 which showed 3D high resolution ~ 30 ~ sequences provide knee articular cartilage imaging with high image quality (SNR, contrast, artifacts) in relatively short acquisition time, minimum artifacts and more accurate cartilage thickness measurement [6] . Delaram Shakoor et al in 2019 showed that the diagnostic performance of 3D MRI has statistically significantly improved and that current 3D MRI techniques provide comparable diagnostic performance to 2D MRI for depicting cartilage defects within the knee joint.…”

“…Fat suppression can be achieved with three methods: fat saturation, inversion-recovery imaging, and opposed-phase imaging [6] .…”

Comparing Ultrasonography with True Fast Imaging with Steady State Precession MRI Images in Assessment of Femoro-trochlear Cartilage in Anterior Knee Pain

“…First, because of using a slice thickness of about 3mm, they suffer from partial-volume artifacts. Second, the difficulty to evaluate oblique and small structures because cartilage is a thin layer with a complex surrounding anatomical structure such as ligaments and tendons which are oriented oblique and difficult to assess with 2D sequences (5) . 3D high-resolution imaging is suggested to be an alternative of 2D imaging, since it provides isotropic or nearly isotropic 3D imaging which can be reconstructed in any desired orientation with contiguous thin slices in order to reduce partial volume artifact effects.…”