MRI of the knee at 3T: first clinical results with an isotropic PDfs-weighted 3D-TSE-sequence

To clinically evaluate MRI of the knee using a highly resolved isotropic fat-saturated (fs) proton-density weighted 3D-TSE-sequence (SPACE) at 3T. Imaging was performed on a 3T-scanner (Magnetom TRIO). For technical evaluation, sagittally orientated SPACE-datasets (repetition-time [TR], 1200 millise...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Investigative radiology Vol. 44; no. 9; p. 585
Main Authors: Notohamiprodjo, Mike, Horng, Annie, Pietschmann, Matthias F, Müller, Peter E, Horger, Wilhelm, Park, Jaeseok, Crispin, Alexander, del Olmo, José Raya Garcia, Weckbach, Sabine, Herrmann, Karin A, Reiser, Maximilian F, Glaser, Christian
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States 01.09.2009
Subjects:
Adult
Algorithms
Anisotropy
Female
Humans
Image Enhancement - methods
Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods
Imaging, Three-Dimensional - methods
Knee Joint - anatomy & histology
Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods
Male
Pilot Projects
Reproducibility of Results
Sensitivity and Specificity
ISSN:1536-0210, 1536-0210
Online Access:Get more information
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Summary:To clinically evaluate MRI of the knee using a highly resolved isotropic fat-saturated (fs) proton-density weighted 3D-TSE-sequence (SPACE) at 3T. Imaging was performed on a 3T-scanner (Magnetom TRIO). For technical evaluation, sagittally orientated SPACE-datasets (repetition-time [TR], 1200 milliseconds/[TE], 30 milliseconds/voxel-size, 0.5 mm3/acquisition time, 10:35 minutes) were acquired from the dominant knee of 10 healthy volunteers. In the 3 major anatomic planes, 0.5, 1, and 2 mm thick reconstructions were performed. Signal-to-noise (SNR), SNR-efficiency, contrast-to-noise (CNR) ratios, and anatomic detail visualization were compared with a state-of-the-art 2D-TSE-sequence in 3 imaging planes (TR, 3200 milliseconds/TE, 30 milliseconds/acquisition time, 12:34 minutes). Sixty patients with cartilage and meniscus pathologies were examined with these techniques. Patient SPACE-datasets were assessed in 1-mm thick reconstructions. Arthroscopical correlation was available for 18 patients. Lesion detection and diagnostic confidence were assessed by 2 radiologists independently. Statistical analysis was performed using 95% confidence intervals, Wilcoxon signed rank tests, and Weighted-kappa. SNR-efficiency of SPACE was 4 to 5 times higher than for 2D-TSE-sequences. SNR and CNR of 1-mm thick SPACE-reconstructions were comparable to 2D-TSE-sequences and provided superior visualization of small structures such as meniscal roots.Correlation with arthroscopy did not show significant differences between 2D- and 3D-sequences. One reader detected significantly more cartilage abnormalities with the 2D-TSE-sequence (131 vs. 151, P = 0.04), probably because of an unfamiliar fluid/cartilage contrast. Diagnostic confidence was significantly higher for meniscus abnormalities for SPACE for 1 reader. Intersequence-correlation was excellent (kappa = 0.82-0.92). Interreader-correlation was good to excellent (kappa = 0.71-0.80), intrareader-correlation was excellent (kappa = 0.90-0.92) for both sequences. Time-efficient 3D-TSE-imaging of the knee at 3T is feasible with adequate SNR and CNR and excellent anatomic detail visualization. Detection and visualization of meniscus and cartilage pathologies is comparable to standard 2D-TSE-sequences. 3D-TSE-sequences with consecutive multiplanar reconstruction may become a valuable component of future knee-MRI protocols.
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ISSN:1536-0210
1536-0210
DOI:10.1097/RLI.0b013e3181b4c1a1