Magnetic resonance mapping of the rim of articular cartilage defects of the patella

Abstract

Purpose Elevated T2-values of articular cartilage are associated with an increase in cartilage water that results from a damaged collagen matrix, and provide a marker for cartilage damage. We used T2 mapping to analyse the rim of cartilage defects that appeared to be intact on the morphological sequences, to determine whether there are early biochemical changes already present. Method We calculated T2 values for the rim of cartilage defects in 25 patients and compared these values to another area of control cartilage in these patients. Results A highly significant increase in T2 values of the deep, superficial, and global layer of the rim versus the control cartilage was measured. ANOVA showed a significant correlation of the defect levels with the T2 values of the deep and global zone of the adjacent cartilage tissue, but not with the superficial zone.Conclusion Although cartilage appears to be intact on morphological sequences, T2 mapping can show a loss of structural anisotropy of collagen and the associated increase in cartilage water that indicates the destruction of the adjacent cartilage. Preoperative information about the degree of damage of the collagen matrix will support decision making for cartilage repair.

Autologous osteochondral mosaicplasty in osteochondritis dissecans of the patella in adolescents

“…Koller [23] showed T2 mapping is an appropriate tool for the accurate staging of cartilage. While morphological imaging, even when performed with a high-resolution protocol, can show intact cartilage adjacent to a cartilage defect, T2 mapping can show signs of cartilage degeneration in the deep zone.…”

How best to preserve and reveal the structural intricacies of cartilaginous tissue

“…Examples of such methodological tools include nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (Koller et al, 2014), polarization light microscopy (Panula et al, 1998), laser-scanning microscopy and autoradiography (Buschmann et al, 1996;Kawaguchi et al, 2012). The value of the data gleaned using these approaches is compromised by the limited resolution of the images, which lies within the light-microscopic range.…”

“…The anisotropic organization of the coarser collagenous fibrils can be revealed also by implementing specific stains, such as Sirius Red (Junqueira et al, 1980), as well as by polarized light microscopy (Mittelstaedt et al, 2011) and by magnetic resonance imaging (Momot et al, 2010;Koller et al, 2014), or by an analysis of birefringence (Panula et al, 1998). Scanning electron microscopy is the least useful methodology.…”

Radiofrequency Chondroplasty May Not Have a Long-Lasting Effect in the Treatment of Concomitant Grade II Patellar Cartilage Defects in Humans

“…The quantitative T2 mapping technique [23] represents a sensitive MR technique that provides information on the interaction between the extracellular matrix and water molecules of the cartilage. Healthy cartilage shows increasing T2 values from the deep to the superficial zone of the cartilage [24][25][26][27][28][29]. It has been shown that increased T2 values indicate damage in the collagen construct, reflecting the increased water mobility [25,[30][31][32].…”

“…Healthy cartilage shows increasing T2 values from the deep to the superficial zone of the cartilage [24][25][26][27][28][29]. It has been shown that increased T2 values indicate damage in the collagen construct, reflecting the increased water mobility [25,[30][31][32]. T2 mapping is, therefore, an ideal marker to detect and monitor progression of osteoarthritis [33].…”