Kyle W. Sexton1, Hasan Celik1, Kenneth W. Fishbein1, and Richard G. Spencer1
Quantification of cartilage matrix components with nuclear
magnetic resonance has potential applications to the early diagnosis of
osteoarthritis. Ex-vivo cartilage samples are often used to observe the MR
parameters of healthy and degraded cartilage. To ensure the accuracy of MR
parameters, the storage of the explants is extremely important. DPBS is often used to immerse
cartilage tissue specimens during imaging, with the assumption that it prevents
dehydration. In this study it was found that storing
BAC tissue explants in DPBS can rapidly and significantly increase the observed
T2 values. An alternative storage medium to maintain T2
stability is Fluorinert.