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Feasibility of T 2 * mapping for the evaluation of hip joint cartilage at 1.5T using a three‐dimensional (3D), gradient‐echo (GRE) sequence: A prospective study
Author(s) -
Bittersohl Bernd,
Hosalkar Harish S.,
Hughes Tim,
Kim YoungJo,
Werlen Stefan,
Siebenrock Klaus A.,
Mamisch Tallal C.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.22096
Subject(s) - intraclass correlation , medicine , cartilage , asymptomatic , nuclear medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , flip angle , correlation , gradient echo , radiology , anatomy , surgery , mathematics , geometry , clinical psychology , psychometrics
This study defines the feasibility of utilizing three‐dimensional (3D) gradient‐echo (GRE) MRI at 1.5T for T 2 *mapping to assess hip joint cartilage degenerative changes using standard morphological MR grading while comparing it to delayed gadolinium‐enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC). MRI was obtained from 10 asymptomatic young adult volunteers and 33 patients with symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). The protocol included T 2 *mapping without gadolinium‐enhancement utilizing a 3D‐GRE sequence with six echoes, and after gadolinium injection, routine hip sequences, and a dual‐flip‐angle 3D‐GRE sequence for dGEMRIC T 1 mapping. Cartilage was classified as normal, with mild changes, or with severe degenerative changes based on morphological MRI. T 1 and T 2 *findings were subsequently correlated. There were significant differences between volunteers and patients in normally‐rated cartilage only for T 1 values. Both T 1 and T 2 *values decreased significantly with the various grades of cartilage damage. There was a statistically significant correlation between standard MRI and T 2 *( T 1 ) ( P < 0.05). High intraclass correlation was noted for both T 1 and T 2 * . Correlation factor was 0.860 to 0.954 ( T 2 * ‐ T 1 intraobserver) and 0.826 to 0.867 ( T 2 * ‐ T 1 interobserver). It is feasible to gather further information about cartilage status within the hip joint using GRE T 2 *mapping at 1.5T. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.