Reduction of the Magic Angle Effect on Contrast in Magnetization Transfer Imaging of Human Cartilage

INTRODUCTION In this study of human cartilage, we tested the hypothesis that the magic angle effect is reduced more in MT-weighted images than in T2-weighted images. Articular cartilage has three structural zones distinguished by collagen fiber orientations: superficial zone, transitional zone, and radial zone. When collagen fibers are oriented at 54.7°with respect to the main magnetic field of the magnet (B0), dipole-dipole interactions go to zero, resulting in a prolongation of the T2 relaxation time. This phenomenon is named as the "magic angle effect". In MRI, the magic angle effect appears as bright regions and often confounds accurate interpretation of these areas [1]. Magnetization transfer (MT) contrast reflects the interaction of free water protons with protons associated with the macromolecules (such as proteins) and membranes in biological tissues. Quantitative magnetization transfer imaging based on MT model will give the fractions of the macromolecules in the whole tissue, which are less affected by the measuring parameters and conditions [2]. METHODS Sample Preparation Five specimens of normal human articular cartilage were obtained from cadaveric donors through the Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network (with Rush University IRB approval), and frozen at –80oC until experimentation. Each specimen was full-thickness