Evaluation and comparison of cartilage repair tissue of the patella and medial femoral condyle by using morphological MRI and biochemical zonal T2 mapping.
The objective of this study was to use advanced MR techniques to evaluate and compare cartilage repair tissue after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) in the patella and medial femoral condyle (MFC). Thirty-four patients treated with MACT underwent 3-T MRI of the knee. Patients were treated on either patella (n = 17) or MFC (n = 17) cartilage and were matched by age and postoperative interval. For morphological evaluation, the MR observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score was used, with a 3D-True-FISP sequence. For biochemical assessment, T2 mapping was prepared by using a multiecho spin-echo approach with particular attention to the cartilage zonal structure. Statistical evaluation was done by analyses of variance. The MOCART score showed no significant differences between the patella and MFC (p > or = 0.05). With regard to biochemical T2 relaxation, higher T2 values were found throughout the MFC (p < 0.05). The zonal increase in T2 values from deep to superficial was significant for control cartilage (p < 0.001) and cartilage repair tissue (p < 0.05), with an earlier onset in the repair tissue of the patella. The assessment of cartilage repair tissue of the patella and MFC afforded comparable morphological results, whereas biochemical T2 values showed differences, possibly due to dissimilar biomechanical loading conditions.
Welsch
Goetz H
GH
MR Center-High field MR, Department of Radiology, Medical University of Vienna, Lazarettgasse 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria. welsch@bwh.harvard.edu
Mamisch
Tallal C
TC
Quirbach
Sebastian
S
Zak
Lukas
L
Marlovits
Stefan
S
Trattnig
Siegfried
S
D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010329:Patella / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome