Falk Roland Miese MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Christoph Zilkens, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Arne Holstein MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Bernd Bittersohl MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Tanja Haamberg BS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Guenther H. Fuerst MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dirk Blondin MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Marcus Jäger, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Rüdiger Krauspe, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ulrich Moedder MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

00030490-DMT et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Legg-Calvé-Perthes (LCP) disease may result in early osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip. The efficacy of treatment of osteoarthritis is difficult to evaluate because of a lack of non-invasive measures of cartilage integrity. Quantitative T2 imagings as well as delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage (dGEMRIC) have been developed to examine cartilage quality in osteoarthritis. The purpose of the present study is to compare dGEMRIC, T2 and T2* imaging and of hip cartilage in patients after LCP.  

Following Institutional Medical Ethics Committee approval, 42 hips in 21 patients with a history of unilateral LCP in childhood were investigated. Coronal dGEMRIC and quantitative T2 and T2* imaging were performed on a clinical 1.5T scanner. dGEMRIC index, T2 and T2* of the hip articular cartilage were determined in the medial, central, and lateral section of the hip. Cartilage morphology was assessed in coronal PD-weighted images. Statistical analysis used paired T-test and Spearman rank sum test for group comparisons and correlation, respectively.  

Compared to hips without LCP, average dGEMRIC index of hips having suffered LCP was significantly lower (579.08 ms vs. 510.53 ms, p<0.05). The lowest dGEMRIC index (500.78 ms, p<0.5) and the largest difference to the healthy hip (76.38 ms, p<0.05) was observed in the medial third of the articular cartilage. The decrease in dGEMRIC index correlated with morphological cartilage damage (r=-0,454, p<0.05). Average T2 and T2* of cartilage was lower in hips after LCP, without reaching significance.

dGEMRIC imaging of the hip after LCP is feasible and may offer information about cartilage quality in early OA of the hip. The sensitivity of dGEMRIC is superior to quantitative T2- and T2* imaging of the cartilage. In early OA after LCP, cartilage abnormalities are most severe in the medial third of the hip.  

Patients with early OA of the hip due to past LCP are liable to therapy. Non-invasive assessment of articular cartilage quality may be valuable in planning and evaluating therapy.  

Miese, F, Zilkens, C, Holstein, A, Bittersohl, B, Haamberg, T, Fuerst, G, Blondin, D, Jäger, M, Krauspe, R, Moedder, U, et al, 0, Qualitative MRI of Hip Articular Cartilage in Early Osteoarthritis after Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease: A Comparison between dGEMRIC, Quantitative T2, and Quantitative T2* Imaging.  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8014340.html