Sapna K. Jain MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Robert Stahl MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Brad Wyman, Abstract Co-Author: Employee, Pfizer Inc

Marie-Pierre Hellio Le Graverand-Gastineau MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Employee, Pfizer Inc, Ann Arbor, MI

Sharmila Majumdar PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Thomas M. Link MD, Abstract Co-Author: Research grant, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Brentford, UK Research grant, Merck & Co, Inc, Whitehouse Station, NJ

We aim to assess the longitudinal evolution of 3.0 T MR imaging-defined morphological abnormalities of the knee in subjects with and without OA and to investigate change in association between structural abnormalities and clinical scores.

3.0 T MRI of the knee was performed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months in 40 female patients, 20 with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 and 3 knee OA (55.7 years +/- 7.3 years) and 20 age-matched controls (57.6 +/- 6.2). Eight structural imaging abnormalities (cartilage morphology, bone marrow edema pattern, subchondral cyst formation, ligamentous and meniscal pathology, joint effusion, periarticular cysts, and loose bodies) were assessed prospectively within six compartments (medial/lateral tibia, medial/lateral femoral condyle, patella and trochlea) according to semiquantitative scales (WORMS score). Imaging data was then correlated with changes in clinical parameters (WOMAC, SF-36, and VAS scores) over time using a mixed random effects model.

Significant differences (P<0.05) were found between controls and OA patients for the following imaging parameters at baseline: cartilage morphology and bone marrow edema, in particular at the trochlea. In the OA patients, significant longitudinal changes (P<0.05) were found for cartilage morphology (medial femur, lateral femur, trochlea), bone marrow edema pattern (medial tibia, trochlea, lateral facet), and meniscal extrusion. OA patients had significantly higher (P<0.05) values in clinical scores. These scores did not significantly change during follow-up. Significant positive correlation was found between change in cartilage morphology and clinical scores in control patients but not in OA patients.

Bone marrow edema pattern, cartilage morphology, and meniscal extrusion were shown to be sensitive parameters for short term assessment of osteoarthritis evolution. Of the studied imaging parameters, cartilage morphology significantly correlated with validated clinical assessment tools for OA.

Longitudinal 3.0T MR evaluation of osteoarthritic knees in conjunction with clinical scores can identify sensitive biomarkers for short term assessment of OA evolution.

Jain, S, Stahl, R, Wyman, B, Hellio Le Graverand-Gastineau, M, Majumdar, S, Link, T, Osteoarthritis of the Knee at 3.0T: Evolution of MR Imaging Findings with Comparison to Clinical Scores: A 12 Month Longitudinal Study.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/5006984.html