Feasibility of T2* mapping for the evaluation of hip joint cartilage at 1.5T using a three-dimensional (3D), gradient-echo (GRE) sequence: a prospective study.
This study defines the feasibility of utilizing three-dimensional (3D) gradient-echo (GRE) MRI at 1.5T for T(2)* mapping to assess hip joint cartilage degenerative changes using standard morphological MR grading while comparing it to delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC). MRI was obtained from 10 asymptomatic young adult volunteers and 33 patients with symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). The protocol included T(2)* mapping without gadolinium-enhancement utilizing a 3D-GRE sequence with six echoes, and after gadolinium injection, routine hip sequences, and a dual-flip-angle 3D-GRE sequence for dGEMRIC T(1) mapping. Cartilage was classified as normal, with mild changes, or with severe degenerative changes based on morphological MRI. T(1) and T(2)* findings were subsequently correlated. There were significant differences between volunteers and patients in normally-rated cartilage only for T(1) values. Both T(1) and T(2)* values decreased significantly with the various grades of cartilage damage. There was a statistically significant correlation between standard MRI and T(2)* (T(1)) (P < 0.05). High intraclass correlation was noted for both T(1) and T(2)*. Correlation factor was 0.860 to 0.954 (T(2)*-T(1) intraobserver) and 0.826 to 0.867 (T(2)*-T(1) interobserver). It is feasible to gather further information about cartilage status within the hip joint using GRE T(2)* mapping at 1.5T.
Bittersohl
Bernd
B
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland. bbittersohl@partners.org
Hosalkar
Harish S
HS
Hughes
Tim
T
Kim
Young-Jo
YJ
Werlen
Stefan
S
Siebenrock
Klaus A
KA
Mamisch
Tallal C
TC
D000465:Algorithms; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology*; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult