title: Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography-based imaging, parameterization, and quantification of human cartilage degeneration.
abstract: Polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) is a light-based, high-resolution, real-time, noninvasive, and nondestructive imaging modality yielding quasimicroscopic cross-sectional images of cartilage. As yet, comprehensive parameterization and quantification of birefringence and tissue properties have not been performed on human cartilage. PS-OCT and algorithm-based image analysis were used to objectively grade human cartilage degeneration in terms of surface irregularity, tissue homogeneity, signal attenuation, as well as birefringence coefficient and band width, height, depth, and number. Degeneration-dependent changes were noted for the former three parameters exclusively, thereby questioning the diagnostic value of PS-OCT in the assessment of human cartilage degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology, Steinbachstraße 17, Aachen 52074, Germany.
authors.forename: Nicolai
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brill
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology, Steinbachstraße 17, Aachen 52074, Germany.
authors.forename: Mathias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wirtz
authors.affiliation: RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Imaging and Computer Vision, Kopernikusstraße 16, Aachen 52074, Germany.
authors.forename: Dorit
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Merhof
authors.affiliation: Aachen University Hospital, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Pauwelsstraße 30, Aachen 52074, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tingart
authors.affiliation: Aachen University Hospital, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Pauwelsstraße 30, Aachen 52074, Germany.
authors.forename: Holger
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jahr
authors.affiliation: Aachen University Hospital, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Pauwelsstraße 30, Aachen 52074, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Truhn
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology, Steinbachstraße 17, Aachen 52074, GermanyeRWTH Aachen University, Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering, Manfred-Weck Haus, Steinbachstraße 19, Aachen 52074, Germany.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.affiliation: Aachen University Hospital, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Pauwelsstraße 30, Aachen 52074, Germany.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nebelung
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001718:Birefringence; D002356:Cartilage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence