Yun Mi Hwang MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Sang Hoon Lee, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hye Won Chung MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Min Hee Lee MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Myung Jin Shin MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Magnetic resonance T2 mapping allows for the quantification of water and proteoglycan content within tissues and can be used to detect cartilage degeneration. We assess the degree of cartilage degeneration after meniscal transplantation using T2 mapping.

The study involved 12 patients with medial or lateral meniscal transplantation who underwent MR imaging including T2 mapping at immediate post operation and after 6 months, between May 2010 and March 2011. T2 measurements were obtained at three region of femoral condyle and tibial plateau; anterior and posterior meniscal coverage areas, and weight bearing area, respectively. T2 values of trochlea cartilage were obtained for control. All images were quantified by two musculoskeletal radiologists using Relaxation Maps Tool V 2.1.1 (Philips soft ware).

T2 values of the cartilage at immediate post operation and follow up after 6 months showed 52.75ms (SD 7.98) and 48.4ms (SD 6.39) in femoral condyle (p<0.001), 52.25ms (SD 10.7) and 47.25ms (SD 8.76) in tibial plateau (p<0.001). The mean values of control cartilage were 49.75ms (SD 6.86)and 49.33ms (SD 5.68) without significant difference.

T2 values of cartilage of knee were decreased after meniscal transplantation in both femoral condyle and tibial plateau, and this suggested improvement of cartilage degeneration after operation. T2 quantification is useful method for the evaluation of cartilage degeneratoin after meniscus transplantation.

After meniscal transplantation, decreased T2 values of cartilage suggest improvement of cartilage degeneration of the knee.

Hwang, Y, Lee, S, Chung, H, Lee, M, Shin, M, T2 Mapping of Articular Cartilage in Patients of Meniscus Transplantation: Comparison between Immediate Postoperation and Six-month Follow-up.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11016379.html