Abstract:

Objective  To measure T2 relaxation time of knee cartilage in patients with early knee osteoarthritis (OA) compared with healthy subjects of the same age group,and to evaluate the diagnostic value of the T2-mapping imaging in early knee osteoarthritis. Methods  Quantitative T2-mapping of knee cartilage was evaluated with a 3.0T MR imaging spectrometer in 20 healthy subjects and 32 patients of mild OA.,T2 values in four compartments of knee cartilage (condylus medialis and condylus lateralis femoris,condylus medialis and condylus lateralis tibiae) were measured in T2-mapping imaging. Statistical differences were analyzed. Results  The average T2 relaxation in normal group and mild OA group was (37.85±3.28)ms and (48.16±5.12)ms respectively. There was a significant difference in T2 value between case group and control group(P＜0.05). Conclusion  T2-mapping imaging can indicate component abnormality in articular cartilage,and has a high clinical value in early diagnosis and surveillance of OA.

Key words: Knee joint; Articular cartilage; Osteoarthritis; Magnetic resonance imaging; T2 value