Cyrus Behzadi1, Kai-Jonathan Maas1, Goetz Welsch2, Michael Kaul1, Gerhard Schoen3, Azien Laqmani1, Gerhard Adam1, Marc Regier1. 1. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. 2. Department of Athletics and Sports Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. 3. Department of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To compare T2 * relaxation times of the tibiotalar cartilage between professional football players and matched healthy male volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two ankles of professional football players (24.3 ± 3.8 years) and 20 age- and body mass index-matched healthy individuals (25.6 ± 2.4 years) were investigated. The study protocol consisted of multiplanar T1 -weighted, fat-saturated proton-density weighted (Pdw) and a 3D multiecho T2 * sequence with 22 echo times (4.6-53.6 msec). The articular cartilage was subdivided into six segments. Regions of interest were manually drawn in three zones (lateral, central, medial). Differences and confidence intervals were estimated applying a random effects models. Fixed effects were professional football players versus healthy individuals and areas. The random effect was defined as the person cluster of the different individuals. RESULTS: T2 * values were significantly prolonged in football players compared to male volunteers in all predefined cartilage segments (mean, 17.5 vs. 15.5 msec; P < 0.001). In both groups, the highest relaxation times were found in the lateral zone, with statistically higher relaxation times in professional football players (18.5 vs. 16.5 msec, P = 0.003). Separate evaluation revealed the longest relaxation times in the posterior tibiotalar cartilage, with 21.0 msec for professional football players compared to 19.4 msec for healthy volunteers (P = 0.064). CONCLUSION: Based on these initial results, T2 * values of the tibiotalar cartilage seem to be elevated in professional football players compared to healthy volunteers. Prospective longitudinal studies should be encouraged to show if these results represent early subtle cartilage lesions prior to clinical manifestation or rather temporary adaptation related to daily high-level loading. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 3 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:372-379.
PURPOSE: To compare T2 * relaxation times of the tibiotalar cartilage between professional football players and matched healthy male volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two ankles of professional football players (24.3 ± 3.8 years) and 20 age- and body mass index-matched healthy individuals (25.6 ± 2.4 years) were investigated. The study protocol consisted of multiplanar T1 -weighted, fat-saturated proton-density weighted (Pdw) and a 3D multiecho T2 * sequence with 22 echo times (4.6-53.6 msec). The articular cartilage was subdivided into six segments. Regions of interest were manually drawn in three zones (lateral, central, medial). Differences and confidence intervals were estimated applying a random effects models. Fixed effects were professional football players versus healthy individuals and areas. The random effect was defined as the person cluster of the different individuals. RESULTS: T2 * values were significantly prolonged in football players compared to male volunteers in all predefined cartilage segments (mean, 17.5 vs. 15.5 msec; P < 0.001). In both groups, the highest relaxation times were found in the lateral zone, with statistically higher relaxation times in professional football players (18.5 vs. 16.5 msec, P = 0.003). Separate evaluation revealed the longest relaxation times in the posterior tibiotalar cartilage, with 21.0 msec for professional football players compared to 19.4 msec for healthy volunteers (P = 0.064). CONCLUSION: Based on these initial results, T2 * values of the tibiotalar cartilage seem to be elevated in professional football players compared to healthy volunteers. Prospective longitudinal studies should be encouraged to show if these results represent early subtle cartilage lesions prior to clinical manifestation or rather temporary adaptation related to daily high-level loading. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 3 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:372-379.
Authors: Kai-Jonathan Maas; Maxim Avanesov; Azien Laqmani; Julius Weinrich; Markus Sauer; Michael G Kaul; Gerhard Adam; Marc Regier; Cyrus Behzadi Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-08-22 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Kai-Jonathan Maas; M Warncke; C Behzadi; G H Welsch; G Schoen; M G Kaul; G Adam; P Bannas; F O Henes Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2020-09-18 Impact factor: 4.379