title: Effects of Achilles tendon immersion in saline and perfluorochemicals on T2 and T2*.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if immersion of Achilles tendon segments into various solutions improved qualitative delineation of tendon and affected quantitative MR values of T2 and T2*.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six Achilles tendons were dissected, sectioned (proximal, midportion, and distal tensile pieces) and imaged at 3T both at baseline in air and after immersion into saline, Fomblin, and perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB), respectively, for 24 h. Blinded readers qualitatively assessed the delineation of tendon boundaries and quantitatively Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) T2 and ultrashort echo time (UTE) T2* was calculated. Comparison between images obtained in air and in solution was made.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On qualitative evaluation, all images obtained in air had larger air-tissue susceptibility effects. Mean T2 values of saline, Fomblin, and PFOB groups were 16.1 ± 3.7, 16.6 ± 2.9, and 18.8 ± 2.6 ms at baseline in air, and 14.8 ± 4.6, 15.9 ± 3.0, and 17.7 ± 3.0 ms after immersion in the fluid, respectively. Mean T2* values of saline, Fomblin, and PFOB groups were 2.0 ± 0.8, 1.6 ± 0.5, and 1.5 ± 0.5 ms at baseline in air, and 2.1 ± 0.5, 1.6 ± 0.5, and 1.4 ± 0.5 ms after immersion in the fluid, respectively. There was no significant effect of immersion or fluid type on measured T2 or T2* (P > 0.1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results validate the continued use of these solutions to prevent tendon specimen dehydration and to minimize susceptibility effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA; Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, California, USA.
authors.forename: Eric Y
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Jiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Won C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.forename: Sheronda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Statum
authors.forename: Christine B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000465:Algorithms; D001185:Artificial Intelligence; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D007101:Immersion; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008954:Models, Biological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D064847:Multimodal Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009716:Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013382:Subtraction Technique; D014021:Tissue Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D014584:User-Computer Interface
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride
keywords: Achilles tendon; PFOB; T2; T2*; fomblin