Detection of early cartilage degeneration in the tibiotalar joint using 3 T gagCEST imaging: a feasibility study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To establish and optimize a stable 3 Tesla (T) glycosaminoglycan chemical exchange saturation transfer (gagCEST) imaging protocol for assessing the articular cartilage of the tibiotalar joint in healthy volunteers and patients after a sustained injury to the ankle.

Methods

Using Bloch-McConnell simulations, we optimized the sequence protocol for a 3 T MRI scanner for maximum gagCEST effect size within a clinically feasible time frame of less than 07:30 min. This protocol was then used to analyze the gagCEST effect of the articular cartilage of the tibiotalar joint of 17 healthy volunteers and five patients with osteochondral lesions of the talus following ankle trauma. Reproducibility was tested with the intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results

The mean m

SUBMITTER: Abrar DB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8018923 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature