title: [Longitudinal evaluation of reparative cartilage after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation with delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of the cartilage].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate zonal variation of GAG content in reparative cartilage after matrix associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) using delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the cartilage (dGEMRIC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven patients (14 cartilage defects) undergoing MACI were recruited for examination with dGEMRIC at 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure to calculate global and zonal longitudinal relaxivity (Δ R1) of the normal cartilage and reparative cartilage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean Δ R1 values of normal cartilage were significantly lower than those of reparative cartilage after MACI. A significant decrease was noted in the mean Δ R1 values from the deep layer to the superficial layer in the reparative cartilage at the 3 examinations. The Δ R1 values of the reparative cartilage showed no significant variation between 3 months and 6 months, but a significant decrease in the Δ R1 values occurred at 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  dGEMRIC is feasible to assess cartilage repair noninvasively following MACI.
authors.affiliation: South Building Department of Radiology, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100853, China. E-mail: zhonglisen1005@sina.cn.
authors.forename: Li-Sen
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Xian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Xue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Shao-Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Tian-Ming
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Pan-Li
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Zuo
authors.forename: Ning-Yu
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: An
mesh_terms: D002356:Cartilage / Q000473:pathology*; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures
chemical_list: D005682:Gadolinium