Jean-François Budzik1, Claire Marzin2, Julie Legrand2, Laurène Norberciak2, Fabio Becce3, Tristan Pascart1. 1. Lille Catholic University Hospital Group, MABLab ULR 4490, University of Lille, Lille, France. 2. Lille Catholic University Hospital Group, University of Lille, Lille, France. 3. Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in identifying early calcium crystal deposition in menisci and articular cartilage of the knee, depending on the presence/absence of chondrocalcinosis seen on conventional CT. METHODS: One hundred thirty-two knee DECT scans from patients with suspected crystal-associated arthropathy were reviewed and assigned to a calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) group (n = 50) or a control group (n = 82). Five DECT attenuation parameters were measured in preset regions of interest (ROIs) in menisci and articular cartilage and compared between groups using linear mixed models with adjustment for confounders. Subgroup analysis, excluding ROIs with chondrocalcinosis seen on conventional CT, was performed. RESULTS: In both menisci and articular cartilage, and for all 5 DECT attenuation parameters, calcified ROIs in CPPD patients showed significantly higher values than ROIs in controls (P ≤ 0.036). Conversely, noncalcified ROIs in CPPD patients were comparable with those in controls (P ≥ 0.09). While specific DECT parameters yielded good accuracy (area under the curve [AUC] 0.87-0.88) in differentiating calcified ROIs in CPPD patients from ROIs in controls, DECT failed to distinguish between noncalcified ROIs in CPPD patients and controls (AUC 0.58-0.59). CONCLUSION: While DECT has the potential to characterize knee intraarticular mineralization, this technique cannot yet accurately identify early calcium crystal deposition that is not visible as chondrocalcinosis on conventional CT.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in identifying early calcium crystal deposition in menisci and articular cartilage of the knee, depending on the presence/absence of chondrocalcinosis seen on conventional CT. METHODS: One hundred thirty-two knee DECT scans from patients with suspected crystal-associated arthropathy were reviewed and assigned to a calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) group (n = 50) or a control group (n = 82). Five DECT attenuation parameters were measured in preset regions of interest (ROIs) in menisci and articular cartilage and compared between groups using linear mixed models with adjustment for confounders. Subgroup analysis, excluding ROIs with chondrocalcinosis seen on conventional CT, was performed. RESULTS: In both menisci and articular cartilage, and for all 5 DECT attenuation parameters, calcified ROIs in CPPD patients showed significantly higher values than ROIs in controls (P ≤ 0.036). Conversely, noncalcified ROIs in CPPD patients were comparable with those in controls (P ≥ 0.09). While specific DECT parameters yielded good accuracy (area under the curve [AUC] 0.87-0.88) in differentiating calcified ROIs in CPPD patients from ROIs in controls, DECT failed to distinguish between noncalcified ROIs in CPPD patients and controls (AUC 0.58-0.59). CONCLUSION: While DECT has the potential to characterize knee intraarticular mineralization, this technique cannot yet accurately identify early calcium crystal deposition that is not visible as chondrocalcinosis on conventional CT.
Authors: Sara K Tedeschi; Fabio Becce; Tristan Pascart; Ali Guermazi; Jean-François Budzik; Nicola Dalbeth; Georgios Filippou; Annamaria Iagnocco; Minna J Kohler; Jean-Denis Laredo; Stacy E Smith; F Joseph Simeone; Janeth Yinh; Hyon Choi; Abhishek Abhishek Journal: Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) Date: 2022-04-19 Impact factor: 5.178