Value of T2-mapping and DWI in the diagnosis of early knee cartilage injury

Abstract

Objective: To study the value of T2-mapping and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of early injury of knee cartilage. Methods: Seventy-two subjects, including healthy group (n=30) and early cartilage injury group (n=42), were tested on MR scans with T2-mapping and DWI. T2 and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of cartilage were measured after being processed at the workstation, and the differences were statistically analyzed between the two groups. Results: The mean T2 and ADC values of cartilage in early injury group and health group were respectively 51.58±4.15 ms and 1.78±0.35 ×10 -3mm 2/s, 39.54±4.02 ms and 1.44±0.17 ×10 -3 mm 2/s. There was significant difference between the values of T2 and ADC. Conclusion: T2 and ADC values in early cartilage injury have obviously increased. T2-mapping and DWI have high clinical value in the diagnosis of early articular cartilage injury.