title: Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. A new method for arthroscopic evaluation of low grade degenerated cartilage lesions. Results of a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Arthroscopy is a highly sensitive method of evaluating high-grade cartilage lesions but the detection of low-grade lesions is often is unreliable. Objective measurements are required. A novel NIRS (near-infrared-spectroscopy) device for detection of low-grade cartilage defects was evaluated in a preliminary clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 12 patients who had undergone arthroscopy, the cartilage lesions within the medial knee compartment were classified according to the ICRS protocol. With a NIR spectrometer system and an optical probe, similar in design to a hook used for routine arthroscopy, the optical properties of cartilage were measured during arthroscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean ratio of 2 NIR absorption bands of intact cartilage 3.8 (range 2.3 to 8.7).was significantly lower than that of cartilage with grade 1 lesions (12.8, range 4.8 to 19.6) and grade 2 lesions (13.4, range 10.4 to 15.4).No differences were observed between grade 1 and grade 2 lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NIRS can be used to distinguish between ICRS grade 1 lesions and healthy cartilage during arthroscopic surgeries. The results of this clinical study demonstrate the potential of NIRS to objectify classical arthroscopic grading systems.
authors.affiliation: Center of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Surgery, Eisenach, Germany. spahn@pk-eisenach.de
authors.forename: Gunter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spahn
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Plettenberg
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kahl
authors.forename: Hans M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Klinger
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mückley
authors.forename: Gunther O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Hofmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared / Q000379:methods*