In vivo phase imaging of human epiphyseal cartilage at 7 T

Magn Reson Med. 2018 Apr;79(4):2149-2155. doi: 10.1002/mrm.26858. Epub 2017 Jul 31.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the potential clinical utility of in vivo susceptibility-weighted imaging and quantitative susceptibility mapping of growth cartilage in the juvenile human knee at 7 T.

Methods: High-resolution gradient-echo images of the knees of six healthy children and adolescents aged 6 to 15 were acquired with a 28-channel coil at 7 T. Phase images from the coils were combined using a short echo-time reference scan method (COMPOSER).

Results: Veins oriented perpendicular to the static B0 field appeared doubled in susceptibility-weighted imaging, but not quantitative susceptibility mapping. Veins and layers in the cartilage were visible in all children up to the age of 13.

Conclusions: Phase imaging using susceptibility-weighted imaging and quantitative susceptibility mapping allows the in vivo visualization of veins and layers in human growth cartilage. Magn Reson Med 79:2149-2155, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Keywords: cartilage; epiphyseal cartilage; layers; phase; quantitative susceptibility mapping; susceptibility-weighted imaging; veins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cartilage, Articular / diagnostic imaging*
  • Child
  • Collagen / chemistry
  • Female
  • Growth Plate / diagnostic imaging
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Knee / diagnostic imaging*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Veins / diagnostic imaging

Substances

  • Collagen