Biochemical T2*MR Quantification of Ankle Arthrosis in Pes Cavovarus

Pes cavovarus affects the ankle biomechanics and may lead to ankle arthrosis Quantitative T2 STAR (T2*) magnetic resonance (MR) mapping allows high resolution of thin cartilage layers and quantitative grading of cartilage degeneration Detection of ankle arthrosis using T2* mapping in cavovarus feet was evaluated Eleven cavovarus patients with symptomatic ankle arthrosis (13 feet, mean age 55 6 years group 1), 10 cavovarus patients with no or asymptomatic, mild ankle arthrosis (12 feet mean age 41 8 years group 2), and 11 controls without foot deformity (18 feet, mean age 29 8 years, group 3) had quantitative T2* MR mapping Additional assessment included plain radiographs and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score (groups 1 and 2 only) Mean global T2* relaxation time was significantly different between groups 1 and 2 (p = 0 001) and groups 1 and 3 (p = 0 017) but there was no significance for decreased global T2* values in group 2 compared to group 3 (p = 0 345) Compared to the medial compartment T2* values of the lateral compartment were significantly (p = 0 025) higher within group 1 T2* values in the medial ankle joint compartment of group 2 were significantly lower than those of group 1 (p = 0 019) Ankle arthrosis on plain radiographs and the AOFAS score correlated significantly with T2* values in the medial compartment of group 1 (p = 0 04 and 0 039, respectively) Biochemical, quantitative T2* MR mapping is likely effective to evaluate ankle arthrosis in cavovarus feet but further studies are required (c) 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals Inc J Orthop Res 28 1562-1568 2010