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Advanced morphological 3D magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) scoring using a new isotropic 3D proton‐density, turbo spin echo sequence with variable flip angle distribution (PD‐SPACE) compared to an isotropic 3D steady‐state free precession sequence (True‐FISP) and standard 2D sequences
Author(s) -
Welsch Goetz H.,
Zak Lukas,
Mamisch Tallal C.,
Paul Dominik,
Lauer Lars,
Mauerer Andreas,
Marlovits Stefan,
Trattnig Siegfried
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.22399
Subject(s) - flip angle , medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , isotropy , cartilage , sequence (biology) , nuclear medicine , nuclear magnetic resonance , coronal plane , radiology , physics , anatomy , biology , optics , genetics
Purpose To evaluate a new isotropic 3D proton‐density, turbo‐spin‐echo sequence with variable flip‐angle distribution (PD‐SPACE) sequence compared to an isotropic 3D true‐fast‐imaging with steady‐state‐precession (True‐FISP) sequence and 2D standard MR sequences with regard to the new 3D magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue (MOCART) score. Materials and Methods Sixty consecutive MR scans on 37 patients (age: 32.8 ± 7.9 years) after matrix‐associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) of the knee were prospectively included. The 3D MOCART score was assessed using the standard 2D sequences and the multiplanar‐reconstruction (MPR) of both isotropic sequences. Statistical, Bonferroni‐corrected correlation as well as subjective quality analysis were performed. Results The correlation of the different sequences was significant for the variables defect fill, cartilage interface, bone interface, surface, subchondral lamina, chondral osteophytes, and effusion (Pearson coefficients 0.514–0.865). Especially between the standard sequences and the 3D True‐FISP sequence, the variables structure, signal intensity, subchondral bone, and bone marrow edema revealed lower, not significant, correlation values (0.242–0.383). Subjective quality was good for all sequences ( P ≥ 0.05). Artifacts were most often visible on the 3D True‐FISP sequence ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Different isotropic sequences can be used for the 3D evaluation of cartilage repair with the benefits of isotropic 3D MRI, MPR, and a significantly reduced scan time, where the 3D PD‐SPACE sequence reveals the best results. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;33:180–188. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.