title: Assessment of T1, T1ρ, and T2 values of the ulnocarpal disc in healthy subjects at 3 tesla.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to implement clinically feasible imaging techniques for determination of T1, T1ρ, and T2 values of the ulnocarpal disc and to assess those values in a cohort of asymptomatic subjects at 3 tesla. Resulting values were compared between different age groups, since former histological findings of the ulnocarpal disc indicated frequent early degenerative changes of this tissue starting in the third decade of life, even in asymptomatic subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven healthy subjects were included in this study. T1 measurements were performed using 3D spoiled gradient-echo (GRE) sequence with variable flip angle. A series of T1ρ and T2-weighted images was acquired by a 3D GRE sequence after suitable magnetization preparation. T1,T1ρ, and T2 maps of the ulnocarpal disc were calculated pixel-wise. Representative mean values from extended regions were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean T1 values of the ulnocarpal disc ranged from 722 ms in a 39 year-old subject to 1264 ms in a 65 year-old subject, T1ρ ranged from 9.2 ms (26 year-old subject) to 25.9 ms (65 year-old subject). Calculated T2 values showed a large range from 4.1 ms to 22.3 ms. T1ρ and T1 values tended to increase with age (p<0.05), whereas T2 did not.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MR relaxometry of the ulnocarpal disc is feasible, and T1,T1ρ, and T2 values show modest variance in asymptomatic subjects. The potential of relaxation mapping to reveal relevant structural changes in patients has to be investigated in further studies.
authors: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Eberhard-Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors: Isabel
authors: I
authors: Rauscher
authors: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Eberhard-Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Eberhard-Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors: Benjamin
authors: B
authors: Bender
authors: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Eberhard-Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors: Gerd
authors: G
authors: Grözinger
authors: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Eberhard-Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors: Oliver
authors: O
authors: Luz
authors: Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Magnetic Resonance Center, Tübingen, Germany.
authors: Rolf
authors: R
authors: Pohmann
authors: Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, Eberhard-Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Erb
authors: Section on Experimental Radiology, Eberhard-Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
authors: Fritz
authors: F
authors: Schick
authors: Section on Experimental Radiology, Eberhard-Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. Electronic address: petros.martirosian@med.uni-tuebingen.de.
authors: Petros
authors: P
authors: Martirosian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: MR relaxometry; Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC); Ulnocarpal disc; Wrist MRI