The Application of Magnetization Transfer Ratios and T2 Relaxation Time to Patellar Articular Cartilage at 3t

Introduction: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been established as the standard cartilage imaging modality, and techniques have been developed and optimized to visualize cartilage morphology and to analyze its biochemical composition [1]. T2 mapping technique, which assesses the loss of collagen matrix integrity and increase in water content is currently recognized and there are many studies report that it is sensitive technique for detecting changes in collagen components of cartilage [2]. In comparison, magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) is less commonly cited although it is a biochemical analysis technique based on structure and concentration of the collagen matrix in cartilage [3, 4]. And there are even fewer studies on the combined use of both [5]. The aims of this study are to compare T2 relaxation time and MTR and determine whether MTR map is useful to depict degeneration of patellar articular cartilage as well as T2 map or not.