MR SPECTROSCOPIC IMAGING OF COLLAGEN - TENDONS AND KNEE MENISCI

Water molecules associated with collagen have short transverse (T-2) relaxation times. Projection-reconstruction techniques are able to achieve an echo time (TE) much shorter than conventional techniques, allowing imaging of tissues with T-2 < 5 ms. Using these techniques, a conventional 1,5-T MRI human imaging system can directly image collagen-associated water from knee menisci and tendons in normal volunteers and patients. Long-T-2 suppression improves the contrast between these structures and the surrounding tissue with long-T-2 relaxation times. Spectroscopic imaging provides improved lipid/water registration and information about chemical composition and relaxation times. Direct imaging of tendons and menisci may provide more information about these structures and provide a new way to assess both injury and repair.