Jari
Rautiainen1, Mikko J. Nissi1, 2, Timo
Liimatainen3, Walter Herzog4, Rami K. Korhonen1,
Miika T. Nieminen5, 6
1Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; 2Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; 3Department of Neurobiology, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; 4Faculty of Kinesiology, Engineering and Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; 5Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland; 6Department of Medical Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
The sensitivity of selected quantitative MRI parameters (Adiabatic T1ρ & T2ρ, continuous wave (CW) T1ρ, CPMG T2, Adiabatic double echo (DE) T2, T1 during off-resonance saturation, and relaxation along fictitious field (RAFF)) to early OA changes in rabbit anterior cruciate ligament transection model was investigated. Biomechanical testing of the samples revealed altered functional properties of the tissue in response to experimental OA, and a differential response to the various MRI methods was observed. Relaxation in the rotating frame of reference (continuous wave and adiabatic T1ρ and adiabatic T2ρ) proved to be most sensitive in detecting early cartilage degeneration.