ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the imaging quality of articular cartilage of the knee with 3D-sampling perfection with applica-tion optimized contrast using different flip angle evolutions (3D-SPACE),3D-true fast imaging with steady-state precession (3D-True FISP)and 2D-fast-spin-echo-proto-density(2D-FSE-PD)sequences.Methods 40 healthy volunteers and 20 patients of knee joints were examined with 3D-SPACE,3D-True FISP and 2D-FSE-PD sequences at 1.5T MRI.Signal-noise ratio (SNR),contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR)and lesion visualization of articular cartilage were compared.Results 3D-SPACE showed the highest SNR of cartilage and CNR of fluid/cartilage among the three sequences (P <0.05).3D-SPACE had the better capability for showing the lev-el I 、level Ⅱcartilage injury comparing with 3D-True FISP,but no significant difference between the cartilage injury at level Ⅲ and level Ⅳ.For all levels of cartilage injury,3D sequence was better than the 2D sequence.Conclusion Compared with the 3D-True FISP sequence and 2D-FSE-PD sequence,3D-SPACE sequence can show the structure of knee and knee cartilage injury better.