Influence of physical activity on T1 and T2* relaxation times of healthy achilles tendons at 3T

Grosse, Ulrich; Springer, Fabian; Hein, Tobias; Grözinger, Gerd; Schabel, Christoph; Martirosian, Petros; Schick, Fritz; Syha, Roland

doi:10.1002/jmri.24525

Cited by 26 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 35 publications

(79 reference statements)

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“…34 Several studies have been performed assessing relaxation times of healthy and degenerated tendons in vivo and in vitro using T2* with short echo-times. 9,13,33,[35][36][37][38][39][40] Our results in healthy bovine tendons are comparable to T1 and T2* values of a recent ex vivo 34 and in vivo studies, 33,36 with T2* values ranging from 0.92 to 2.72 milliseconds and T1 values ranging from 311 to 733 milliseconds.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

T1- and T2*-Mapping for Assessment of Tendon Tissue Biophysical Properties

et al. 2019

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The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess changes in collagen structure using MR T1-and T2*-mapping in a novel controlled ex vivo tendon model setup. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-four cadaveric bovine flexor tendons underwent MRI at 3 T before and after chemical modifications, representing mechanical degeneration and augmentation. Collagen degradation (COL), augmenting collagen fiber cross-linking (CXL), and a control (phosphate-buffered saline [PBS]) were examined in experimental groups, using histopathology as standard of reference. Variable echo-time and variable-flip angle gradient-echo sequences were used for T2*-and T1-mapping, respectively. Standard T1-and T2-weighted spin-echo sequences were acquired for visual assessment of tendon texture. Tendons were assessed subsequently for their biomechanical properties and compared with quantitative MRI analysis. RESULTS T1-and T2*-mapping was feasible and repeatable for untreated (mean, 545 milliseconds, 2.0 milliseconds) and treated tendons. Mean T1 and T2* values of COL, CXL, and PBS tendons were 1459, 934, and 1017 milliseconds, and 5.5, 3.6, and 2.5 milliseconds, respectively. T2* values were significantly different between enzymatically degraded tendons, cross-linked tendons, and controls, and were significantly correlated with mechanical tendon properties (r =-0.74, P < 0.01). T1 values and visual assessment could not differentiate CXL from PBS tendons. Photo-spectroscopy showed increased autofluorescence of cross-linked tendons, whereas histopathology verified degenerative lesions of enzymatically degraded tendons. CONCLUSIONS T2*-mapping has the potential to detect and quantify subtle changes in tendon collagen structure not visible on conventional clinical MRI. Tendon T2* values might serve as a biomarker for biochemical alterations associated with tendon pathology.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

T1- and T2*-Mapping for Assessment of Tendon Tissue Biophysical Properties

et al. 2019

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“…In contrast to earlier reports, the presented study focuses on the time course of various MR‐specific parameters after ankle‐straining activity, to further analyze the hydration state, i.e., changes in the free water content of the Achilles tendon (Grosse et al., ). Please note, that all of these MR‐specific parameters and the semi‐automatic tendon volume assessment have already demonstrated an excellent reproducibility in previous studies (coefficient of variation of OSR measurements at the mid‐portion tendon area: 1.6%; coefficient of variation of tendon volume measurements: 1.2%), and that OSR as well as T2* measurements in this study are within the range of previously reported values for the mid‐portion Achilles tendon area (Syha et al., , , , ; Grosse et al., , , ). In addition, it is worth noting that contrary to earlier studies in this work only OSR values of the mid‐portion tendon area (which is deemed to be the most stressed part of the Achilles tendon during cross‐country) were analyzed.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

MR‐based in vivo follow‐up study of Achilles tendon volume and hydration state after ankle‐loading activity

Grosse

Syha

Gatidis

et al. 2015

Scandinavian Med Sci Sports

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The purpose of this study was to evaluate temporal alterations of the Achilles tendon volume and hydration state after cross-country-running. Achilles tendons of six untrained participants were examined on a 3T MR-scanner before running, immediately afterwards, and in the following 24, 48, and 72 h. Using a 3D-UTE sequence, caudal (CA) and cranial (CR) mid-portion tendon areas were examined with off-resonance saturation ratios (OSR) and T2* relaxation times. Tendon volume was measured with a self-written Matlab-based automated contour detection algorithm (AVAT) in submillimeter T2-weighted MR images. A significant influence of running in caudal (P = 0.017) and cranial OSR values (P = 0.001), tendon volume (P = 0.024), and cranial T2* measurements (P = 0.046), but not in caudal T2* values (P = 0.298) were found. In detail, mean individual OSR and tendon volume measurements demonstrated a similar but inverted course in their values after exercise: initially, OSR values increased after running (and tendon volume decreased), while subsequently a decrease of OSR values (with an increase of tendon volume) could be observed. OSR and tendon volume measurements are able to detect a physiological response of tendons to a mechanical stimulus. After a transient decrease of free water in the Achilles tendon, an increase with a maximum free water content 48 h after ankle loading and a tendency toward normalization after 72 h was found.

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“…Ultrashort echo time (UTE) based MRI methods have been used to capture average T2 * relaxation time of the Achilles tendon (mid-portion, insertion region, muscle-tendon junction, and whole Achilles tendon-aponeurosis) in a group of recreational long distance runners compared to healthy volunteers, showing longer T2 * relaxation times in the mid-portion and whole Achilles tendon-aponeurosis for runners ( Grosse et al, 2015 ). Longer T2 * relaxation times are believed to reflect a greater amount of free water protons between collagen fibres, reduced collagen alignment, and have previously been reported to distinguish between healthy and pathological Achilles tendons ( Juras et al, 2012 , 2013 ; Gärdin et al, 2016 ; Qiao et al, 2017 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Free Achilles Tendon Is Shorter, Stiffer, Has Larger Cross-Sectional Area and Longer T2* Relaxation Time in Trained Middle-Distance Runners Compared to Healthy Controls

et al. 2020

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Tendon geometry and tissue properties are important determinants of tendon function and injury risk and are altered in response to ageing, disease, and physical activity levels. The purpose of this study was to compare free Achilles tendon geometry and mechanical properties between trained elite/sub-elite middle-distance runners and a healthy control group. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure free Achilles tendon volume, length, average cross-sectional area (CSA), regional CSA, moment arm, and T2 * relaxation time at rest, while freehand three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) was used to quantify free Achilles tendon mechanical stiffness, Young’s modulus, and length normalised mechanical stiffness. The free Achilles tendon in trained runners was significantly shorter and the average and regional CSA (distal end) were significantly larger compared to the control group. Mechanical stiffness of the free Achilles tendon was also significantly higher in trained runners compared to controls, which was explained by the group differences in tendon CSA and length. T2 * relaxation time was significantly longer in trained middle-distance runners when compared to healthy controls. There was no relationship between T2 * relaxation time and Young’s modulus. The longer T2 * relaxation time in trained runners may be indicative of accumulated damage, disorganised collagen, and increased water content in the free Achilles tendon. A short free Achilles tendon with large CSA and higher mechanical stiffness may enable trained runners to rapidly transfer high muscle forces and possibly reduce the risk of tendon damage from mechanical fatigue.

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Influence of physical activity on T1 and T2* relaxation times of healthy achilles tendons at 3T

Abstract: Prolonged T2* values especially in the mid-portion of the Achilles tendon of runners are likely to reflect an adaptation of the tendon microstructure to repetitive tendon straining activity.

Cited by 26 publications

References 35 publications

T1- and T2*-Mapping for Assessment of Tendon Tissue Biophysical Properties

T1- and T2*-Mapping for Assessment of Tendon Tissue Biophysical Properties

MR‐based in vivo follow‐up study of Achilles tendon volume and hydration state after ankle‐loading activity

The Free Achilles Tendon Is Shorter, Stiffer, Has Larger Cross-Sectional Area and Longer T2* Relaxation Time in Trained Middle-Distance Runners Compared to Healthy Controls

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