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Delayed contrast enhanced MRI of meniscus with ionic and non-ionic agents
Wei Li1, Robert R Edelman, Pottumarthi V Prasad
1Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA. wli@northshore.org
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging : JMRI
|May 13, 2011
Summary
Osteoarthritis patients show significantly altered meniscal T(1) relaxation times (T(1)Gd) compared to healthy subjects, regardless of contrast agent charge density. This finding highlights potential MRI biomarkers for diagnosing osteoarthritis.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease affecting cartilage and menisci.
- Meniscal T(1) relaxation time (T(1)Gd) after contrast administration is a potential imaging biomarker.
- Understanding factors influencing T(1)Gd, such as contrast agent properties, is crucial for accurate OA assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare meniscal T(1)Gd between patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and healthy subjects (HS).
- To investigate the influence of contrast agent charge density (ionic vs. non-ionic) on meniscal T(1)Gd.
- To assess T(1)Gd as a potential diagnostic marker for knee OA.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of MRI data from 10 OA patients and 8 healthy subjects.
- Acquisition of meniscal T(1) relaxation time using a 3D Look-Locker sequence.
- Administration of both ionic Gd-DTPA(2-) and non-ionic Gd-DTPA-BMA contrast agents on separate occasions.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower meniscal T(1)Gd was observed in OA patients compared to HS for both ionic (P < 0.01) and non-ionic (P < 0.001) agents.
- A strong correlation was found between T(1)Gd values obtained with ionic and non-ionic agents.
- Meniscal T(1)Gd with non-ionic agents showed greater differentiation between OA and HS groups.
Conclusions:
- Meniscal T(1)Gd differs significantly between OA patients and healthy subjects.
- The observed differences in meniscal T(1)Gd are independent of contrast agent charge density.
- Meniscal T(1)Gd shows promise as an MRI biomarker for knee osteoarthritis.
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