Sun-Young Park MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

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

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

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

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

To evaluate changes of T2 value of articular cartilage in patients of meniscus transplantation on serial follow up images.

From 2010 to 2011, 26 patients (mean age, 29.6±10.3) who underwent meniscus allograft transplantation of lateral meniscus were prospectively evaluated by using a 3T MR imaging at 2 days, 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months after the surgery. All patients showed no retear in the transplanted meniscus and no aggravation of chondromalacia. Quantitative T2 maps of femoral condyle and tibial plateau were obtained at the operation compartment. Mean T2 values were calculated at the deep and superficial layers of three allocated areas in femoral condyle and tibial plateau (the anterior and posterior meniscal coverage areas, and the weight bearing area). T2 value in each area was measured twice at the sagittal slice 6mm medially and laterally away from the central articulation (12 points). The grading of the chondromalacia was evaluated at each location with reference to the arthroscopic grading. All images were quantified using Relaxation Maps Tool. Statistical software (SAS® Version 9.2; SAS institute Inc.,Cary, NC) was used.

The T2 values in both femoral and tibial articular cartilage were significantly decreased after meniscal transplantation on the serial follow-up MR scans for up to 1 year in both superficial and deep layers (p<0.01), especially during the first 3 weeks after the surgery (p<0.01). The measured T2 values at the immediate postoperative and 1 year follow-up MR according to the cartilage degeneration were as follows; 50.6 to 46.6 msec (cartilage grade 0 and 1), 52.5 to 45.1 msec (grade 2), and 60.7 to 47.6 msec (grade 3 and 4) in superficial layer. The decrement of T2 value was significantly higher in grade 3 and 4 group than in grade 0 and 1 group in both superficial and deep layers on follow up (p<0.01).

T2 quantification showed the subclinical changes of articular cartilage after meniscus allograft transplantation over time and demonstrated the differences of T2 value according to the chondromalacia grade on serial follow up MR.

T2 quantification is a useful tool in monitoring the treatment response of mesniscus allograft transplantation

Park, S, Lee, S, Lee, M, Chung, H, Shin, M, T2 Mapping of Articular Cartilage in Patients of Meniscus Transplantation: A Prospective Study over 1 Year.  Radiological Society of North America 2013 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, December 1 - December 6, 2013 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2013/13016887.html