T1ρ technique in quantitatively evaluation on ankle osteochondral lesions of talus / 中国医学影像技术

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the feasibility of T1ρ technique in evaluating ankle osteochondral lesions of talus (OLT). Methods: Totally 40 patients with ankle OLT underwent both conventional MRI and T1ρ imaging, also arthroscopy examination within 1 week. Conventional MRI,arthroscopy and T1ρ imaging were observed, and ankle OLT were classified into - type (type - injury group, respectively) according to the improved Hepple classification standards. Then normal cartilage areas of 20 cases were randomly selected as the normal control group. T1ρ values of cartilage in each group were measured and analyzed. The consistency of OLT typing Results: using conventional MRI and arthroscopy was compared. Results: T1ρ images could clearly show ankle talus cartilage, and the colorific orders were different according to the degree of injuries. T1ρ values of cartilage increased with the aggravation of cartilage damage. There was no statistically difference (P=0.12) in T1ρ values of damaged cartilage of type injury group ([43.07±2.05]ms) and type Ⅱ injury group ([45.24±2.19]ms), whereas statistically differences of T1ρ values of damaged cartilage were found among other groups (P<0.05). The consistency of OLT typing Results: using conventional MRI and arthroscopy was good (Kappa=0.80, P<0.01). Conclusion: T1ρ technique can clearly display the talus cartilage of the ankle joint and quantitatively evaluate the degree of talus cartilage damage, especially for patients with early talus cartilage damage.