Boaz Karmazyn1, Chen Lin, Scott A Persohn, Kenneth A Buckwalter. 1. Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. bkarmazy@iupui.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: T2 relaxation time is sensitive in detecting early cartilage damage. There are few reports of T2 mapping for smaller joints because of technical challenges. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of T2 mapping of the metacarpal head cartilage in children. CONCLUSION: T2 mapping of the metacarpal head cartilage is feasible in children on a 3-T scanner with commercially available coils. An increase in the T2 values near the osteochondral junction likely reflects the secondary physis.
OBJECTIVE: T2 relaxation time is sensitive in detecting early cartilage damage. There are few reports of T2 mapping for smaller joints because of technical challenges. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of T2 mapping of the metacarpal head cartilage in children. CONCLUSION: T2 mapping of the metacarpal head cartilage is feasible in children on a 3-T scanner with commercially available coils. An increase in the T2 values near the osteochondral junction likely reflects the secondary physis.