Guinel Hernandez Filho MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jiang Du, Abstract Co-Author: GE Healthcare

Fabiano Nassar Cardoso MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Parviz Haghighi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Shantanu Sinha PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Grant, General Electric Company

Sheronda Statum, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Richard Znamirowski BS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Graeme Mervyn Bydder MBChB, Abstract Co-Author: Researcher, General Electric Company

Christine B. Chung MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To provide a quantitative means of evaluating the intrinsic T1 and T2* values of the Achilles tendon through the measurement of T1 recovery and T2* relaxation times respectively, using UTE MR imaging at 3T with histologic correlation.

Six cadaveric specimens underwent MR imaging at 3.0T. MR imaging protocol included standard MR and UTE pulse sequences. For T1 measurement a saturation recovery method was applied (TSR ranging from 10 ms to 1600 ms) and for T2* measurements constant TR – varying TE method was used (TE from 100 s to 15 ms). An analysis algorithm written in Matlab was executed offline on axial Dicom images for T1 and T2* measurements in normal tendon areas. The cadaveric specimens were subsequently frozen to -40C. They were sectioned with slice thickness and planning corresponding to those of MR imaging. Anatomic sections were photographed and visually inspected. Specimens were then processed for histology. MR images, specimen photographs and histology were reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists and one pathologist.

The combination of UTE and standard MR imaging provided an accurate means of identifying normal tendon compared to histology. T1 mean measurement was 632 ms and T2* mean measurement was 2.18 ms in histologically proven regions of normal tendon.

The UTE MR sequence offers structural information and allows reproducible quantitative evaluation of tissues with short T2 components, such as tendons, that have been inaccessible by conventional MR. This technique showed T1 and T2* measurements in normal Achilles tendon and correlation with structural status by histology.

This technique allows quantitative assessment of tendon (short T2 tissue) for the first time on a clinical 3T scanner, promising to be helpful for diagnosis and characterization of tendon pathology.

Hernandez Filho, G, Du, J, Cardoso, F, Haghighi, P, Sinha, S, Statum, S, Znamirowski, R, Bydder, G, Chung, C, et al, , Quantitative Characterization of the Achilles Tendon in Cadaveric Specimens: T1 and T2* Measurements Using Ultrashort Echo Time (UTE) MR Imaging at 3T.  Radiological Society of North America 2008 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, February 18 - February 20, 2008 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2008/6013609.html