Delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage in the ankle at 3 T: feasibility and preliminary results after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the feasibility of delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cartilage (dGEMRIC) in the ankle at 3 T and to obtain preliminary data on matrix associated autologous chondrocyte (MACI) repair tissue.


METHODS
A 3D dual flip angle sequence was used with an eight-channel multipurpose coil at 3 T to obtain T1 maps both pre- and postintravenous contrast agent (Magnevist, 0.2 mM/kg). Postcontrast T1 over time was evaluated in three volunteers; a modified dGEMRIC protocol was then used to assess 10 cases after MACI in the ankle.


RESULTS
Forty-five minutes were found sufficient for maximum T1 decrease. MACI cases had a precontrast mean T1 of 1050 +/- 148.4 msec in reference cartilage (RC) and 1080 +/- 165.6 msec in repair tissue (RT). Postcontrast T1 decreased to 590 +/- 134.0 msec in RC and 554 +/- 133.0 msec in RT. There was no significant difference between the delta relaxation rates in RT (9.44 x 10(-4) s(-1)) and RC (8.04 x 10(-4) s(-1), P = 0.487). The mean relative delta relaxation rate was 1.34 +/- 0.83.


CONCLUSIONS
It is feasible to assess the thin cartilage layers of the ankle with dGEMRIC at 3 T; MACI can yield RT with properties similar to articular cartilage.
Domayer
Stephan E
SE
Department of Orthopedics, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
Trattnig
Siegfried
S
Stelzeneder
David
D
Hirschfeld
Clemens
C
Quirbach
Sebastian
S
Dorotka
Ronald
R
Nehrer
Stefan
S
Pinker
Katja
K
Chan
Jenny
J
Mamisch
Tallal Charles
TC
Dominkus
Martin
M
Welsch
Götz H
GH
D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D050724:Fractures, Cartilage / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011379:Prognosis; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA