[T2 and T1rho values of the knee joint cartilage]

Nihon Hoshasen Gijutsu Gakkai Zasshi. 2011;67(5):490-6. doi: 10.6009/jjrt.67.490.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

Measurement of T(2) and T(1)ρ relaxation time is a quantitative evaluation technique that uses magnetic resonance imaging. This study aimed to evaluate T(2) and T(1)ρ relaxation time considering the load on the knee. 14 healthy volunteers were studied at 3 T. Four main compartments were defined for cartilage analysis in the knee joint: lateral femoral condyle (LFC), medial femoral condyle (MFC), and lateral and medial tibia (LT and MT). Femur cartilage was partitioned into anterior, middle, and posterior nonweight-bearing (a-NWB, m-NWB, p-NWB) portions and weight-bearing (WB) portions. T(2) and T(1)ρ values between the medial side and lateral side indicated a nonsignificant difference. T(2) and T(1)ρ values of NWB portions were higher than those of WB portions. The measured value rate of extension of NWB to WB was more remarkable in the T(1)ρ value than in the T(2) value. Therefore, evaluating cartilaginous injuries and damages using the T(1)ρ value seems to more effectively describe them.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cartilage, Articular / anatomy & histology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Knee Joint / anatomy & histology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Weight-Bearing*