Linear combination filtering for T2-selective imaging of the knee.
Recently a novel T2 selective imaging method based on linear combination (LC) filtering was developed. By linearly combining images acquired with different echo times LC filtering is able to generate images showing only tissues with a preselected range of T2 relaxation times. In this study the use of LC filtering in knee imaging was investigated. Three LC filters were designed: a short LC filter for imaging the knee meniscus, a medium LC filter for articular cartilage, and a long LC filter for synovial fluid. To verify the filter designs, eight phantoms with different T2 relaxation times were imaged. In addition, in vivo images were acquired from four asymptomatic volunteers and a subject with cartilage damage. T2 maps were also generated using the same source images. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measurements were made of the meniscus, cartilage, and fluid regions on the three LC filtered images. The highest SNR was seen in the target tissue on each of the LC filtered images. LC filtering is a new method that can selectively image knee tissues based on their T2.
Magnetic Resonance Systems Research Laboratory, Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-9510, USA. logi@stanford.edu
Logi
L
Vidarsson
Garry E
GE
Gold
Brian
B
Hargreaves
John M
JM
Pauly
D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D016014:Linear Models; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000473:pathology; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000166:cytology*