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Cationic contrast‐enhanced computed tomography distinguishes between reparative, degenerative, and healthy equine articular cartilage
Author(s) -
Nelson Brad B.,
Mäkelä Janne T. A.,
Lawson Taylor B.,
Patwa Amit N.,
Snyder Brian D.,
McIlwraith C. Wayne,
Grinstaff Mark W.,
Goodrich Laurie R.,
Kawcak Chris E.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research®
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1002/jor.24894
Subject(s) - hounsfield scale , cartilage , articular cartilage , glycosaminoglycan , medicine , cationic polymerization , computed tomography , anatomy , osteoarthritis , nuclear medicine , pathology , chemistry , radiology , alternative medicine , organic chemistry
Cationic contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CECT) is a quantitative imaging technique that characterizes articular cartilage, though its efficacy in differentiating repair tissue from other disease states is undetermined. We hypothesized that cationic CECT attenuation will distinguish between reparative, degenerative, and healthy equine articular cartilage and will reflect biochemical, mechanical, and histologic properties. Chondral defects were created in vivo on equine femoropatellar joint surfaces. Within defects, calcified cartilage was retained (Repair 1) or removed (Repair 2). At sacrifice, plugs were collected from within defects, and at locations bordering (adjacent site) and remote to defects along with site‐matched controls. Articular cartilage was analyzed via CECT using CA4+ to assess glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, compressive modulus ( E eq ), and International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) II histologic score. Comparisons of variables were made between sites using mixed model analysis and between variables with correlations. Cationic CECT attenuation was significantly lower in Repair 1 (1478 ± 333 Hounsfield units [HUs]), Repair 2 (1229 ± 191 HUs), and adjacent (2139 ± 336 HUs) sites when compared with site‐matched controls (2587 ± 298, 2505 ± 184, and 2563 ± 538 HUs, respectively; all p < .0001). Cationic CECT attenuation was significantly higher at remote sites (2928 ± 420 HUs) compared with Repair 1, Repair 2, and adjacent sites (all p < .0001). Cationic CECT attenuation correlated with ICRS II score ( r = .79), GAG ( r = .76), and E eq ( r = .71; all p < .0001). Cationic CECT distinguishes between reparative, degenerative, and healthy articular cartilage and highly correlates with biochemical, mechanical, and histological tissue properties.