title: Comparison of axial T1 spin-echo and T1 fat-saturation magnetic resonance imaging techniques in the diagnosis of chondromalacia patellae.
abstract: To test the diagnostic value of T1 spin-echo and T1 fat-saturated magnetic resonance images (MRIs), we reviewed axial T1-weighted images with and without fat saturation in 20 patients with clinically suspected chondromalacia of the patella. All scans were obtained on 1.5-MR units. The scans were randomly ordered and reviewed independently at different times by two radiologists without knowledge of the arthroscopy results. The sensitivity of the individual techniques for detecting grade 3 or 4 chondromalacia patellae was 92% for fat-saturated axial T1-weighted images alone, and 67% for axial T1-weighted images without fat saturation. The sensitivity of the combined techniques was 100% for grades 3 and 4 and 90% for all grades (0 to 4). Chondromalacia patellae is diagnosed more accurately by using T1 fat saturation than by using T1 spin-echo images. With a combination of the two techniques, accuracy is 90% to 100%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Vanarthos
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Pope
authors.forename: J U
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Monu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010329:Patella / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity