title: In-vivo dynamic and static three-dimensional joint space distance maps for assessment of cartilage thickness in the radiocarpal joint.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The assessment of the joint space thickness is an important clinical parameter for diagnosing osteoarthritis. The accuracy of joint space thickness evaluation from radiographs is limited due to anatomical complexity of the wrist. We propose using distance maps estimated from 3-dimensional and 4-dimensional images reflecting joint space thickness distribution over the relevant part of the articular surface.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this paper we investigate the difference between joint space thicknesses acquired from dynamic distance maps to static distance maps. A dynamic distance map gives for every point on a subchondral bone surface the shortest distance to the opposing subchondral bone surface during wrist motion. We hypothesize that the joint space thickness calculated from dynamic distance maps provide a better reflection of the functional joint space thickness. The diagnostic potential of the dynamic joint space thickness measurement is illustrated by comparing data from distance maps of osteoarthritic wrists with normal wrists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 10 healthy wrists which are examined, dynamic joint space thickness is smaller than static acquired joint space thickness suggesting that dynamic distance maps provide a better estimate of the measured joint space thickness than joint space thickness based on a static joint space thickness. In 3 examined osteoarthritic wrists the joint space thickness is smaller than in healthy individuals. Moreover, the difference between dynamic and static joint space thickness is smaller in pathological joint parts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The method presented in this paper demonstrates the feasibility of in vivo dynamic distance maps to detect joint space thickness in the radiocarpal joint of healthy individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Hand Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, Suite G4-226, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.foumani@amc.uva.nl
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Foumani
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Strackee
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van de Giessen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jonges
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blankevoort
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Streekstra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D056973:Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*