The Comparative Analysis Study and Usability Assessment of Fat Suppressed 3D T2* weighted Technique and Fat Suppressed 3D SPGR Technique when Examining MRI for Knee Joint Cartilage Assesment

In this study, for assessment of degenerative knee joint cartilage disease we acquired images by fat suppressed 3D spoiled gradient recalled (SPGR) and fat suppressed 3D T2* weighted imaging techniques. To do a quantitative evaluation, the knee joint cartilage was divided into medial femoral cartilage (MFC), medial tibial cartilage (MTC), lateral femoral cartilage (LFC), lateral femoral cartilage (LFC) and patella cartilage (Pat) to measure their respective signal intensity values, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio. As for the measured values, statistical significance between two techniques was verified by using Mann-Whitney U-Test. To do a qualitative evaluation, two radiologists have examined images by techniques after which image artifact, cartilage surface, tissue contrast, and depiction of lesion distinguishing were evaluated based on 4-point scaling (1: bad, 2: appropriate, 3: good, 4: excellent), and based on the result, statistical significance was verified by using Kappa-value Test. 3.0T MR system and HD T/R 8ch knee array coil were used to acquire images. As a result of a quantitative analysis, based on SNR values measured by using two imaging techniques, MFC, LFC, LTC, and Pat showed statistical significance (p < 0.05), but MTC did not (p > 0.05). As a result of verifying statistical significance for measured CNR value, MFC, LFC, and Pat showed statistical significance (p < 0.05), while MTC and LTC did not show statistical significance (p > 0.05). As a result of a qualitative analysis, by comparing mean values for evaluated image items, 3D T2* weighted Image has indicated a slightly higher value. As for conformance verification between the two observers by using Kappa-value test, all evaluated items have indicated statistically significant results (p < 0.05). 3D T2* weighted technique holds a clinical value equal to or superior to 3D SPGR technique with respect to evaluating images, such as distinguishing knee joint cartilages, comparing nearby tissues contrast, and distinguishing lesions.