title: Steady-state diffusion imaging for MR in-vivo evaluation of reparative cartilage after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation at 3 tesla--preliminary results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate the feasibility of time-reversed fast imaging with steady-state precession (FISP) called PSIF for diffusion-weighted imaging of cartilage and cartilage transplants in a clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional study 15 patients underwent MRI using a 3D partially balanced steady-state gradient echo pulse sequence with and without diffusion weighting at two different time points after matrix-associated autologous cartilage transplantation (MACT). Mean diffusion quotients (signal intensity without diffusion-weighting divided by signal intensity with diffusion weighting) within the cartilage transplants were compared to diffusion quotients found in normal cartilage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The global diffusion quotient found in repair cartilage was significantly higher than diffusion values in normal cartilage (p<0.05). There was a decrease between the earlier and the later time point after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In-vivo diffusion-weighted imaging based on the PSIF technique is possible. Our preliminary results show follow-up of cartilage transplant maturation in patients may provide additional information to morphological assessment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Berne, Inselspital, CH-3010 Berne, Switzerland. mamisch@bwh.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Tallal Charles
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Mamisch
authors.forename: Marion Irene
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Menzel
authors.forename: Goetz Hannes
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Welsch
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bittersohl
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salomonowitz
authors.forename: Pavol
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Szomolanyi
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kordelle
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marlovits
authors.forename: Siegfried
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trattnig
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D017690:Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome