Koenraad Luc Verstraete MD, PhD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Veronique Vandenabeele, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Christof De Cuyper MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Geert M.J.M. Vanderschueren MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Fredrik Almqvist PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Peter Verdonk MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Rene Verdonk PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Gust Verbruggen PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To study the early (within first minute) and late (after 2 hours) distribution of gadolinium in subchondral bone and cartilage after aci

Between 2 and 11 months after aci, 8 patients were examined twice to 4 times with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (dynMRI) and delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC). Initial perfusion was studied by drawing time-intensity curves from several regions-of-interest (ROI’s) (normal cartilage, aci area and subchondral bone). Diffusion of gadolinium into these ROI’s was evaluated with T1 relaxation rate measurements immediately and 2 hours after injection

dynMRI showed early and fast enhancement (within 30 seconds) due to increased vascularity and perfusion in subchondral bone (enhancement rate during first pass: 0,62 %/s [normal: 0,27 %/s]) and in the transition zone between bone and transplanted chondrocytes (mean 4,78%/s), but no perfusion in transplanted chondrocytes and normal cartilage. dGEMRIC showed more diffusion of gadolinium in transplanted chondrocytes (mean decrease in T1: 375 msec) than in normal cartilage (mean decrease : 195 msec). There was also a high diffusion of gadolinium into the transitional zone (mean decrease : 250 ms)

In the first year after aci, there is an increased perfusion of gadolinium in subchondral bone marrow and in the transitional zone. This zone shows characteristics of granulation tissue. The transplanted chondrocytes remain avascular and allow more diffusion of gadolinium than normal hyaline cartilage, probably due to lower glycosaminoglycan production.

Verstraete, K, Vandenabeele, V, De Cuyper, C, Vanderschueren, G, Almqvist, F, Verdonk, P, Verdonk, R, Verbruggen, G, et al, , Dynamic and Delayed Gadolinium-enhanced MRI of Cartilage and Subchondral Bone after Alginate Allograft Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI).  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4404853.html Accessed May 11, 2025