title: Comparison of T2* relaxation times of articular cartilage of the knee in elite professional football players and age-and BMI-matched amateur athletes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recent investigation has underlined the potential of quantitative MR imaging to be used as a complementary tool for the diagnosis of cartilage degeneration at an early state. The presented study analyses T2* relaxation times of articular cartilage of the knee in professional athletes and compares the results to age- and BMI (Body Mass Index)-matched healthy amateur athletes.
  
  
  METHODS
  22 professional football players and 22 age- and BMI-matched individuals were underwent knee Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at 3T including qualitative and quantitative analysis. Qualitative analysis included e.g. meniscal tears, joint effusion and bone edema. For quantitative analysis T2* (22 ET: 4.6-53.6ms) measurements in 3D data acquisition were performed. Deep and superficial layers of 22 predefined cartilage segments were analysed. All data sets were postprocessed using a dedicated software tool. Statistical analysis included Student t-test, confidence intervals and a random effects model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both groups, T2* relaxation times were significantly higher in the superficial compared to the deep layers (p<0.001). Professional athletes had significantly higher relaxation times in eight superficial and three deep cartilage layers in the predefined cartilage segments (p<0.05). Highly significant differences were found in the weight-bearing segments of the lateral superficial femoral condyle (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated T2* values in cartilage layers of professional football players compared to amateur athletes were noted. The effects seem to predominate in superficial cartilage layers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclearmedicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, 20246, Germany. Electronic address: c.behzadi@uke.de.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Behzadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, 20246, Germany.
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Welsch
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclearmedicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, 20246, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laqmani
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclearmedicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, 20246, Germany.
authors.forename: F O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Henes
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclearmedicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, 20246, Germany.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Kaul
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, 20246, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schoen
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclearmedicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, 20246, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Adam
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclearmedicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, 20246, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Regier
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Amateur athletes; Articular cartilage; Professional football players; Quantitative MRI; T2* relaxation times