title: Feasibility of mapping T2 relaxation time in the pediatric metacarpal head with a 3-T MRI system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  T2 relaxation time is sensitive in detecting early cartilage damage. There are few reports of T2 mapping for smaller joints because of technical challenges. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of T2 mapping of the metacarpal head cartilage in children.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  T2 mapping of the metacarpal head cartilage is feasible in children on a 3-T scanner with commercially available coils. An increase in the T2 values near the osteochondral junction likely reflects the secondary physis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. bkarmazy@iupui.edu
authors.forename: Boaz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Karmazyn
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Scott A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Persohn
authors.forename: Kenneth A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Buckwalter
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002356:Cartilage / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D050279:Metacarpal Bones / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012984:Software