Variation in cartilage T2 and T2* mapping of the wrist: a comparison between 3- and 7-T MRI

Heiß R, Weber MA, Balbach E, Hinsen M, Geißler F, Nagel AM, Ladd ME, Arkudas A, Horch RE, Gall C, Uder M, Roemer F (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

European Radiology Experimental European Society of Radiology

Book Volume: 7

Article Number: 80

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1186/s41747-023-00394-1

Abstract

Background: To analyze regional variations in T2 and T2* relaxation times in wrist joint cartilage and the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) at 3 and 7 T and to compare values between field strengths. Methods: Twenty-five healthy controls and 25 patients with chronic wrist pain were examined at 3 and 7 T on the same day using T2- and T2*-weighted sequences. Six different regions of interest (ROIs) were evaluated for cartilage and 3 ROIs were evaluated at the TFCC based on manual segmentation. Paired t-tests were used to compare T2 and T2* values between field strengths and between different ROIs. Spearman’s rank correlation was calculated to assess correlations between T2 and T2* time values at 3 and 7 T. Results: T2 and T2* time values of the cartilage differed significantly between 3 and 7 T for all ROIs (p ≤ 0.045), with one exception: at the distal lunate, no significant differences in T2 values were observed between field strengths. T2* values differed significantly between 3 and 7 T for all ROIs of the TFCC (p ≤ 0.001). Spearman’s rank correlation between 3 and 7 T ranged from 0.03 to 0.62 for T2 values and from 0.01 to 0.48 for T2* values. T2 and T2* values for cartilage varied across anatomic locations in healthy controls at both 3 and 7 T. Conclusion: Quantitative results of T2 and T2* mapping at the wrist differ between field strengths, with poor correlation between 3 and 7 T. Local variations in cartilage T2 and T2* values are observed in healthy individuals. Relevance statement: T2 and T2* mapping are feasible for compositional imaging of the TFCC and the cartilage at the wrist at both 3 and 7 T, but the clinical interpretation remains challenging due to differences between field strengths and variations between anatomic locations. Key points: •Field strength and anatomic locations influence T2 and T2* values at the wrist. •T2 and T2* values have a poor correlation between 3 and 7 T. •Local reference values are needed for each anatomic location for reliable interpretation. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Authors with CRIS profile

Rafael Heiß Institute of Radiology Eva Balbach Institute of Radiology Maximilian Hinsen Institute of Radiology Frederik Geißler Medizinische Fakultät Armin Michael Nagel Professur für metabolische und funktionelle MR-Bildgebung Andreas Arkudas Professur für Plastische Chirurgie und Handchirurgie Raymund Horch Professur für Plastische Chirurgie und Handchirurgie Christine Gall Lehrstuhl für Biometrie und Epidemiologie Michael Uder Lehrstuhl für Diagnostische Radiologie Frank Roemer Institute of Radiology

Involved external institutions

Universitätsmedizin Rostock DE Germany (DE) Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Heiß, R., Weber, M.A., Balbach, E., Hinsen, M., Geißler, F., Nagel, A.M.,... Roemer, F. (2023). Variation in cartilage T2 and T2* mapping of the wrist: a comparison between 3- and 7-T MRI. European Radiology Experimental, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41747-023-00394-1

MLA:

Heiß, Rafael, et al. "Variation in cartilage T2 and T2* mapping of the wrist: a comparison between 3- and 7-T MRI." European Radiology Experimental 7.1 (2023).

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