title: The effect of freeze-thawing on magnetic resonance imaging T2* of freshly harvested bovine patellar tendon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Analysis of fresh specimens in research studies is ideal; however, it is often necessary to freeze samples for evaluation at a later time. Limited evaluation of the effect of freeze-thawing of tendon tissue samples on inherent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters, such as ultrashort echo time (UTE) T2* values, have been performed to date.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study performed UTE MRI on 14 bovine patellar tendons at harvest and after four consecutive freeze-thaw cycles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results demonstrated a small but significant reduction (12%) in tendon T2* values after the first freeze thaw cycle, but not after successive cycles. Tendons from juvenile animals with open physis had a significant reduction of T2* following a single freeze thaw cycle, P<0.0001.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study emphasize the importance of using uniform tendon storage protocols when using UTE MRI in preclinical models.
authors.affiliation: MRI Laboratory, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Pownder
authors.affiliation: MRI Laboratory, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Parina H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: MRI Laboratory, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Hollis G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Potter
authors.affiliation: MRI Laboratory, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Koff
keywords: Bovine; T2*; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); tendon; ultrashort echo time (UTE)