Rapid multicomponent T2 analysis of the articular cartilage of the human knee joint at 3.0T

Purpose To determine the feasibility of using multicomponent-driven equilibrium single-shot observation of T1 and T2 (mcDESPOT) for evaluating the human knee joint at 3.0T and to investigate depth-dependent and regional-dependent variations in multicomponent T2 parameters within articular cartilage. Materials and Methods mcDESPOT was performed on the knee joint of 10 asymptomatic volunteers at 3.0T. Single-component T2 relaxation time (T2(single)), multicomponent T2 relaxation time for water tightly bound to proteoglycan (T2(PG)) and bulk water loosely bound to the macromolecular matrix (T2(BW)), and fraction of water tightly bound to proteoglycan (F-PG) were measured in eight cartilage subsections and within the superficial and deep layers of patellar cartilage. Statistical analysis was used to investigate depth-dependent and regional-dependent variations in parameters. Results There was lower (P = 0.001) T2(single) and T2(PG) and higher (P < 0.001) F-PG in the deep than superficial layer of patellar cartilage. There was higher (P < 0.001) F-PG on the weight-bearing surfaces than nonweight-bearing surfaces. There was higher (P < 0.001) T2(single), T2(PG), and T2(BW) on the trochlea and posterior medial and lateral femoral condyles than the patella, central medial and lateral femoral condyles, and medial and lateral tibia plateaus. Conclusion Multicomponent T2 parameters of the articular cartilage of the human knee joint can be measured at 3.0T using mcDESPOT and show depth-dependent and regional-dependent variations. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;39:1191-1197. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.