Development of a Comprehensive Osteochondral Allograft MRI Scoring System (OCAMRISS) with Histopathologic, Micro-Computed Tomography, and Biomechanical Validation.
OBJECTIVE
To describe and apply a semi-quantitative MRI scoring system for multi-feature analysis of cartilage defect repair in the knee by osteochondral allografts, and to correlate this scoring system with histopathologic, micro-computed tomography (μCT), and biomechanical reference standards using a goat repair model.


METHODS
Fourteen adult goats had two osteochondral allografts implanted into each knee: one in the medial femoral condyle (MFC) and one in the lateral trochlea (LT). At 12 months, goats were euthanized and MRI was performed. Two blinded radiologists independently rated nine primary features for each graft, including cartilage signal, fill, edge integration, surface congruity, calcified cartilage integrity, subchondral bone plate congruity, subchondral bone marrow signal, osseous integration, and presence of cystic changes. Four ancillary features of the joint were also evaluated, including opposing cartilage, meniscal tears, synovitis, and fat-pad scarring. Comparison was made with histological and μCT reference standards as well as biomechanical measures. Interobserver agreement and agreement with reference standards was assessed. Cohen's kappa, Spearman's correlation, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used as appropriate.


RESULTS
There was substantial agreement (κ>0.6, p<0.001) for each MRI feature and with comparison against reference standards, except for cartilage edge integration (κ=0.6). There was a strong positive correlation between MRI and reference standard scores (ρ=0.86, p<0.01). OCAMRISS was sensitive to differences in outcomes between the types of allografts.


CONCLUSIONS
We have described a comprehensive MRI scoring system for osteochondral allografts and have validated this scoring system with histopathologic and μCT reference standards as well as biomechanical indentation testing.
Department of Radiology, VA San Diego Healthcare System ; Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego Medical Center.
Eric Y
EY
Chang
Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego.
Andrea L
AL
Pallante-Kichura
Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego Medical Center.
Won C
WC
Bae
Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego Medical Center.
Jiang
J
Du
Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego Medical Center.
Sheronda
S
Statum
Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego Medical Center.
Tanya
T
Wolfson
Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego Medical Center.
Anthony C
AC
Gamst
Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego.
Esther
E
Cory
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.
David
D
Amiel
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine ; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, California.
William D
WD
Bugbee
Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego ; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.
Robert L
RL
Sah
Department of Radiology, VA San Diego Healthcare System ; Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego Medical Center.
Christine B
CB
Chung
MRI scoring system; cartilage repair; osteochondral allografts