Abstract #1626

Othman S, Magin R, Abdullah O, Zhou X

q-Space analysis of the diffusion experiment provides tissue structural information not easily obtained by other methods. Articular cartilage is a heterogeneous tissue with anisotropic structure and water content. In this study, we applied q--Space analysis to characterize the different layers of cartilage (superficial, middle, and deep zone) using diffusion data from seven diffusion gradient directions. The mean displacement of water molecules and the probability for zero displacement varied in different zones for both normal and diseased cartilage. Increasing isotropy appears to be correlated with the progression of disease.