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A novel and non-destructive method to examine meniscus architecture using 9.4 Tesla MRI
M Wang1, A Radjenovic, T W Stapleton
1Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. manyiwang@hotmail.com
Objective:
To investigate the ability of high-field (9.4 T) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to delineate porcine knee meniscal tissue structure and meniscal tears.
Materials And Methods:
Porcine knees were obtained from a local abattoir, and eight medial menisci with no visible defects were dissected. Lesions simulating longitudinal tears were created on two of the menisci. MR images of the menisci were obtained at 9.4 T using a three-dimensional (3D)-FLASH sequence. A detailed 3D internal architecture of the intact and injured menisci was demonstrated on high-resolution MR images.
Results:
High-resolution 3D MR imaging allowed visualisation of internal architecture of the meniscus and disruption to the internal structural network in damage models. The architecture of the porcine knee meniscus revealed by the MR scans appeared similar to the structures visualised by histology in previously reported studies.
Conclusion:
High-field MRI is a non-destructive technique to examine the internal structural components and damage/wear of meniscal tissue. It has tremendous potential in the field of functional cartilage/meniscus biomechanics and biotribology.
Insights
High-field (9.4 T) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging effectively visualizes the intricate internal structure of porcine knee menisci and simulated tears. This non-destructive technique shows promise for studying meniscus biomechanics and wear.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Radiology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Meniscal tears are common knee injuries.
- Accurate imaging of meniscal tissue is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
- Current imaging techniques may have limitations in visualizing fine meniscal structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the capability of high-field (9.4 T) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.
- To assess the delineation of porcine knee meniscal tissue structure.
- To detect simulated meniscal tears using high-field MR imaging.
Main Methods:
- Porcine knees were sourced from a local abattoir.
- Eight medial menisci were dissected; two were induced with longitudinal tears.
- High-resolution 3D MR images were acquired at 9.4 T using a 3D-FLASH sequence.
Main Results:
- High-resolution 3D MR imaging successfully visualized the internal architecture of intact menisci.
- Disruption of the internal structural network was evident in simulated meniscal tears.
- The MR-imaged porcine meniscus architecture correlated with previously reported histological findings.
Conclusions:
- High-field MRI is a non-destructive method for examining meniscal tissue.
- This technique can assess internal structures and damage/wear.
- It holds significant potential for functional cartilage/meniscus biomechanics and biotribology research.
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