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Updated: Jan 31, 2026
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Tracking the Mammary Architectural Features and Detecting Breast Cancer with Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging
Published on: December 15, 2014
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Reliability and Repeatability of Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Healthy and Pathological Patellar Tendons
Elizabeth A Schmida1,2, Ethan Hansen1,2, Daniel E O'Brien1,2
1Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Summary
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) offers reliable patellar tendon microstructure assessment. While inter-rater reliability is excellent, test-retest repeatability varies between pathological and healthy tendons.
Area of Science:
- Musculoskeletal imaging
- Orthopedic research
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Patellar tendinopathy and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction impact knee health.
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a non-invasive MRI technique for assessing tendon microstructure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the inter-rater reliability of DTI segmentations.
- To assess the test-retest repeatability of DTI metrics in pathological and contralateral patellar tendons.
Main Methods:
- Ten participants underwent two bilateral knee MRI scans within seven days.
- DTI data were acquired and analyzed for regional scalar metrics (diffusivities, fractional anisotropy).
- Intraclass correlations (ICCs) were calculated for inter-rater reliability and test-retest repeatability.
Main Results:
- Excellent inter-rater reliability (ICCs 0.920–0.994) was found for all DTI metrics.
- Test-retest repeatability was poor to moderate in pathological tendons (ICCs 0.164–0.709).
- Repeatability was moderate to good in contralateral tendons (ICCs 0.566–0.842).
Conclusions:
- DTI provides a reliable method for capturing patellar tendon microstructure.
- Further research is needed to understand the clinical implications of altered DTI metrics in pathological tendons.
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