Rapid compositional mapping of knee cartilage with compressed sensing MRI.

More than a decade after the introduction of compressed sensing (CS) in MRI, researchers are still working on ways to translate it into different research and clinical applications. The greatest advantage of CS in MRI is the reduced amount of k-space data needed to reconstruct images, which can be exploited to reduce scan time or to improve spatial resolution and volumetric coverage. Efficient data acquisition using CS is extremely important for compositional mapping of the musculoskeletal system in general and knee cartilage mapping techniques in particular. High-resolution quantitative information about tissue biochemical composition could be obtained in just a few minutes using CS MRI. However, in order to make this goal a reality, some issues still need to be addressed. In this article we review the current state of the art of CS methods for rapid compositional mapping of knee cartilage. Specifically, data acquisition strategies, image reconstruction algorithms, and data fitting models are discussed. Different CS studies for T2 and T1ρ mapping of knee cartilage are reviewed, with illustrative results. Future directions, opportunities, and challenges of rapid compositional mapping techniques are also discussed. Level of Evidence: 4 Technical Efficacy: Stage 6 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1185-1198.