T1ρ and T2 mapping of the proximal tibiofibular joint in relation to aging and cartilage degeneration

Evaluation of the relationship between T 1 ρ and T 2 values and patella cartilage degeneration in patients of the same age group

“…In a study using excised human patella cartilage, Keenan et al [26] stated that T1 values reflect the change in GAG content more sensitively than T2 mapping. Our previous results also indicate that T1 mapping is more sensitive for detecting cartilage degeneration than T2 mapping [11,27]. The reason is that by applying the spin-lock pulse, T1 mapping can probe the interactions of protons between the bound water and the GAG, which is the earliest change in the ECM during cartilage degeneration [3,28,29].…”

“…Even in their study, there are significant differences in age between groups (54.0 ± 10.0 and 32.7 ± 9.0, respectively). Furthermore, Hirose et al [11] reported that T1 and T2 values showed an increase in positive correlation with OA progression by KL grade. However, the patients with severe OA (KL grade 3; 67.1 ± 13.3 years old, KL grade 4; 73.9 ± 5.7 years old) were significantly older than those with normal cartilage (KL grade 0; 21.3 ± 8.3 years old) and those with mild OA (KL grade 1; 23.4 ± 12.1 years old, KL grade 2; 32.3 ± 21.7 years old).…”

“…Several studies have revealed that the T1 and T2 values of degenerative cartilage in knee OA are higher than those of normal cartilage [7][8][9][10][11]. Furthermore, it has also been reported that T1 and T2 values increase with OA progression based on radiographic or MRI-based OA grading [10][11][12]. However, in these studies, the patients in the control and early OA groups were younger than those in the advanced OA group.…”

“…In an ex vivo study of bovine cartilage, the T1 values increased along with a decrease in GAG content [4,5], and T2 values increased along with the anisotropy of collagen fibrils and an increase in free water [6]. Several studies have revealed that the T1 and T2 values of degenerative cartilage in knee OA are higher than those of normal cartilage [7][8][9][10][11]. Furthermore, it has also been reported that T1 and T2 values increase with OA progression based on radiographic or MRI-based OA grading [10][11][12].…”

“…Li that the T1 and T2 values of articular cartilage in healthy volunteers increased with age. Considering this, there is a possibility that in previous studies, age affected the difference in signal values between the normal cartilage and the knee OA groups, and between the degree of OA progression [7][8][9][10][11]15].…”