Abstract #3288

Using the Ionic X-Ray Contrast Agent Hexabrix as a Specific Marker for Cartilage Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) Content Via Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer Imaging at 3 Tesla

Benjamin Schmitt¹, Toshiyuki Shiomi², Siegfried Trattnig, Monika Egerbacher³, Pavol Szomolanyi

¹Centre for High-Field MR, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; ²Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine; ³University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

The study was performed to assess if the ionic X-ray contrast agent Hexabrix can be used as a specific marker of cartilage GAG content via CEST MRI. The agent is used in x-ray arthrography to assess GAG content through the fixed charge density of GAG. Samples from porcine knees with and without enzymatic degrading of cartilage were immersed in Hexabrix solutions at different concentrations, and examined with CEST MRI at 3 T. The results show CEST signal enhancements in cartilage with low GAG content, which can be attributed to accumulation of contrast agent, demonstrating the potential of the technique.