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Pala S, Hänninen NE, Mohammadi A, Ebrahimi M, Te Moller NCR, Brommer H, René van Weeren P, Mäkelä JTA, Korhonen RK, Afara IO, Töyräs J, Mikkonen S, Nissi MJ, Nykänen O. 3D T 1 relaxation time measurements in an equine model of subtle post-traumatic osteoarthritis using MB-SWIFT. J Orthop Res 2023; 41:2657-2666. [PMID: 37203565 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study is to assess whether articular cartilage changes in an equine model of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA), induced by surgical creation of standard (blunt) grooves, and very subtle sharp grooves, could be detected with ex vivo T1 relaxation time mapping utilizing three-dimensional (3D) readout sequence with zero echo time. Grooves were made on the articular surfaces of the middle carpal and radiocarpal joints of nine mature Shetland ponies and osteochondral samples were harvested at 39 weeks after being euthanized under respective ethical permissions. T1 relaxation times of the samples (n = 8 + 8 for experimental and n = 12 for contralateral controls) were measured with a variable flip angle 3D multiband-sweep imaging with Fourier transform sequence. Equilibrium and instantaneous Young's moduli and proteoglycan (PG) content from OD of Safranin-O-stained histological sections were measured and utilized as reference parameters for the T1 relaxation times. T1 relaxation time was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in both groove areas, particularly in the blunt grooves, compared with control samples, with the largest changes observed in the superficial half of the cartilage. T1 relaxation times correlated weakly (Rs ≈ 0.33) with equilibrium modulus and PG content (Rs ≈ 0.21). T1 relaxation time in the superficial articular cartilage is sensitive to changes induced by the blunt grooves but not to the much subtler sharp grooves, at the 39-week timepoint post-injury. These findings support that T1 relaxation time has potential in detection of mild PTOA, albeit the most subtle changes could not be detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swetha Pala
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Nina E Hänninen
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Ali Mohammadi
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mohammadhossein Ebrahimi
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Nikae C R Te Moller
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Harold Brommer
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - P René van Weeren
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Janne T A Mäkelä
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Rami K Korhonen
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Isaac O Afara
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juha Töyräs
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Science Service Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, USA
| | - Santtu Mikkonen
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mikko J Nissi
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Olli Nykänen
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Research Unit of Medical Imaging, Physics and Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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Tourais J, Ploem T, van Zadelhoff TA, van de Steeg-Henzen C, Oei EHG, Weingartner S. Rapid Whole-Knee Quantification of Cartilage Using T 1, T 2*, and T RAFF2 Mapping With Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2023; 70:3197-3205. [PMID: 37227911 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2023.3280115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) holds great promise for the early detection of cartilage deterioration. Here, a Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting (MRF) framework is proposed for comprehensive and rapid quantification of T1, T2*, and TRAFF2 with whole-knee coverage. METHODS A MRF framework was developed to achieve quantification of Relaxation Along a Fictitious Field in the 2nd rotating frame of reference ( TRAFF2) along with T1 and T2*. The proposed sequence acquires 65 measurements of 25 high-resolution slices, interleaved with 7 inversion pulses and 40 RAFF2 trains, for whole-knee quantification in a total acquisition time of 3:25 min. Comparison with reference T1, T2*, and TRAFF2 methods was performed in phantom and in seven healthy subjects at 3 T. Repeatability (test-retest) with and without repositioning was also assessed. RESULTS Phantom measurements resulted in good agreement between MRF and the reference with mean biases of -54, 2, and 5 ms for T1, T2*, and TRAFF2, respectively. Complete characterization of the whole-knee cartilage was achieved for all subjects, and, for the femoral and tibial compartments, a good agreement between MRF and reference measurements was obtained. Across all subjects, the proposed MRF method yielded acceptable repeatability without repositioning ( R2 ≥ 0.94) and with repositioning ( R2 ≥ 0.57) for T1, T2*, and TRAFF2. SIGNIFICANCE The short scan time combined with the whole-knee coverage makes the proposed MRF framework a promising candidate for the early assessment of cartilage degeneration with quantitative MRI, but further research may be warranted to improve repeatability after repositioning and assess clinical value in patients.
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Shen J, Zhao Q, Qi Y, Cofer G, Johnson GA, Wang N. Tractography of Porcine Meniscus Microstructure Using High-Resolution Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:876784. [PMID: 35620393 PMCID: PMC9127075 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.876784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
To noninvasively evaluate the three-dimensional collagen fiber architecture of porcine meniscus using diffusion MRI, meniscal specimens were scanned using a 3D diffusion-weighted spin-echo pulse sequence at 7.0 T. The collagen fiber alignment was revealed in each voxel and the complex 3D collagen network was visualized for the entire meniscus using tractography. The proposed automatic segmentation methods divided the whole meniscus to different zones (Red-Red, Red-White, and White-White) and different parts (anterior, body, and posterior). The diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics were quantified based on the segmentation results. The heatmap was generated to investigate the connections among different regions of meniscus. Strong zonal-dependent diffusion properties were demonstrated by DTI metrics. The fractional anisotropy (FA) value increased from 0.13 (White-White zone) to 0.26 (Red-Red zone) and the radial diffusivity (RD) value changed from 1.0 × 10-3 mm2/s (White-White zone) to 0.7 × 10-3 mm2/s (Red-Red zone). Coexistence of both radial and circumferential collagen fibers in the meniscus was evident by diffusion tractography. Weak connections were found between White-White zone and Red-Red zone in each part of the meniscus. The anterior part and posterior part were less connected, while the body part showed high connections to both anterior part and posterior part. The tractography based on diffusion MRI may provide a complementary method to study the integrity of meniscus and nondestructively visualize the 3D collagen fiber architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jikai Shen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- Physical Education Institute, Jimei University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yi Qi
- Department of Radiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Gary Cofer
- Department of Radiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - G. Allan Johnson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Radiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Nian Wang
- Department of Radiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- *Correspondence: Nian Wang,
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Konopka JA, Finlay AK, Eckstein F, Dragoo JL. Effects of unloader bracing on clinical outcomes and articular cartilage regeneration following microfracture of isolated chondral defects: a randomized trial. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2021; 29:2889-2898. [PMID: 33025056 DOI: 10.1007/s00167-020-06228-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine whether the use of an unloading brace can increase the thickness of cartilage regenerate after microfracture surgery. METHODS This is a randomized (1:1) controlled clinical trial. Twenty-four patients who underwent microfracture between 2012 and 2015 were identified and were randomly assigned to an unloading brace group or a no-brace group. All patients were kept non-weight bearing for the first eight weeks after surgery and then patients in the intervention group began using an unloading brace for an average of 63.9 (SD = 41.6) days to protect clot stability by exerting a varus or valgus force on the knee to decrease the force on the knee's lateral or medial compartment, respectively. Quality of the cartilage repair was assessed with knee magnetic resonance imaging to determine repair tissue thickness (primary outcome), repair tissue volume, and T2 relaxation times at 12 and 24 months after surgery. Clinical outcomes were evaluated with KOOS, Tegner, SF12, and Lysholm questionnaires at six, 12 and 24 months after surgery. RESULTS Three patients were lost to follow-up, resulting in 21 patients ultimately analyzed. The unloading brace repair tissue was greater than the no-brace group in volume (26.8 ± 23.7 mm3 vs - 8.4 ± 22.7 mm3, p = 0.005) and thickness (0.2 ± 0.2 mm versus - 0.4 ± 0.3 mm, p = 0.001) at 12 months and in cartilage thickness in the unloading brace group at 24 months (0.4 ± 0.4 mm versus - 0.1 ± 0.3 mm, p = 0.029). There was a positive correlation between wearing the brace longer and improved 6-month KOOS symptom scores (r = 0.82, p = 0.013), 6-month KOOS QOL scores (r = 0.80, p = 0.017), 6-month Tegner scores (r = 0.94, p = 0.002), and Tegner score changes from baseline to 6 months (r = 0.80, p = 0.032). CONCLUSION This study found a significant mid-term increase in cartilage repair tissue thickness following unloading bracing in patients recovering from microfracture for isolated chondral defects. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE II.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaclyn A Konopka
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center, 450 Broadway, MC 6342, Redwood City, CA, 94063, USA
| | - Andrea K Finlay
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center, 450 Broadway, MC 6342, Redwood City, CA, 94063, USA
| | - Felix Eckstein
- Institute of Anatomy, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Chondrometrics GmbH, Ainring, Germany
| | - Jason L Dragoo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center, 450 Broadway, MC 6342, Redwood City, CA, 94063, USA.
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Can sodium MRI be used as a method for mapping of cartilage stiffness? MAGNETIC RESONANCE MATERIALS IN PHYSICS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2020; 34:327-336. [PMID: 33180225 PMCID: PMC8154796 DOI: 10.1007/s10334-020-00893-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 09/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Objective Sodium concentration is responsible for (at least part of) the stiffness of articular cartilage due to the osmotic pressure it generates. Therefore, we hypothesized that we could use sodium MRI to approximate the stiffness of cartilage to assess early cartilage degeneration. Methods Four human tibial plateaus were retrieved from patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR), and their cartilage stiffness mapped with indentation testing, after which samples were scanned in a 7 T MRI to determine sodium concentration. The relation of biomechanical parameters to MRI sodium and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) concentration was explored by a linear mixed model. Results Weak correlations of GAG concentration with apparent peak modulus (p = 0.0057) and apparent equilibrium modulus (p = 0.0181) were observed and lack of correlation of GAG concentration versus MRI sodium concentration was observed. MRI sodium concentration was not correlated with apparent peak modulus, though a moderate correlation of MRI sodium concentration with permeability was shown (p = 0.0014). Discussion and conclusion Although there was correlation between GAG concentration and cartilage stiffness, this was not similar with sodium concentration as measured by MRI. Thus, if the correlation between MRI sodium imaging and GAG concentration could be resolved, this strategy for assessing cartilage functional quality still holds promise. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s10334-020-00893-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Brinkhof S, te Moller N, Froeling M, Brommer H, van Weeren R, Ito K, Klomp D. T2* mapping in an equine articular groove model: Visualizing changes in collagen orientation. J Orthop Res 2020; 38:2383-2389. [PMID: 32492207 PMCID: PMC7687204 DOI: 10.1002/jor.24764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
T2* mapping is promising for the evaluation of articular cartilage collagen. In this work, a groove model in a large animal is used as a model for posttraumatic arthritis. We hypothesized that T2* mapping could be employed to differentiate between healthy and (subtly) damaged cartilage. Eight carpal joints were obtained from four adult Shetland ponies that had been included in the groove study. In this model, grooves were surgically created on the proximal articular surface of the intermediate carpal bone (radiocarpal joint) and the radial facet of the third carpal bone (middle carpal joint) by either coarse disruption or sharp incision. After 9 months, T2* mapping of the entire carpal joint was carried out on a 7.0-T whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner by means of a gradient echo multi-echo sequence. Afterwards, assessment of collagen orientation was carried out based on Picrosirius Red-stained histological sections, visualized by polarized light microscopy (PLM). The average T2* relaxation time in grooved samples was lower than in contralateral control sites. Opposite to the grooved areas, the "kissing sites" had a higher average T2* relaxation time than the grooved sites. PLM showed mild changes in orientation of the collagen fibers, particularly around blunt grooves. This work shows that T2* relaxation times are different in healthy cartilage vs (early) damaged cartilage, as induced by the equine groove model. Additionally, the average T2* relaxation times are different in kissing lesions vs the grooved sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sander Brinkhof
- Department of RadiologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Nikae te Moller
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Martijn Froeling
- Department of RadiologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Harold Brommer
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - René van Weeren
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary MedicineUtrecht UniversityUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Keita Ito
- Department of OrthopaedicsUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Orthopaedic BiomechanicsEindhoven University of TechnologyEindhovenThe Netherlands
| | - Dennis Klomp
- Department of RadiologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
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