Optical coherence tomography grading correlates with MRI T2 mapping and extracellular matrix content

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Orthopedics
• Radiology

Background:

• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and T2 mapping are advanced imaging techniques.
• These methods show promise for detecting subsurface cartilage damage.
• Early detection of cartilage degeneration is crucial for joint health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the correlation between OCT and MRI T2 values in cartilage.
• To determine if OCT signal sensitivity reflects cartilage matrix degeneration.
• To evaluate the potential of OCT and T2 mapping for early osteoarthritis detection.

Main Methods:

• Forty-five human osteochondral cores were analyzed.
• Cores underwent MRI T2 mapping followed by OCT imaging.
• Histology, polarized light microscopy (PLM), and GAG content analysis were performed.

Main Results:

• Cores with higher OCT grades (B/C) showed significantly higher superficial and deep T2 values.
• Degenerate cartilage (Grades B/C) exhibited increased GAG content.
• OCT grade correlated with surface irregularity, structural disorganization, and collagen disorganization.

Conclusions:

• OCT and MRI T2 mapping are sensitive to collagen structure changes in cartilage.
• These imaging modalities can detect early cartilage degeneration in macroscopically intact cartilage.
• OCT and T2 mapping hold potential for non-invasive assessment of cartilage health.