Early assessment of knee osteoarthritis using three-dimensional water-selective gradient-echo MRI technique

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim was to evaluate the role of three-dimensional water-selective gradient-echo MRI technique (WATS) in early assessment of knee osteoarthritis (OA).BackgroundOA is a degenerative joint disease occurring in older adults. The 3D WATS is the best imaging technique currently available for the assessment of articular cartilage.Patients and methodsA prospective study was conducted on 25 patients with suspected knee joint disorder who were enrolled from the Rheumatology and Orthopedic Departments in Mansoura University Hospitals and Outpatient Clinic in Menoufia University Hospital from February 2017 to February 2018. Complete history, clinical examination, and imaging analysis using a knee coil in a 1.5T MRI scanner were done.ResultsWomen were more affected with OA (68%) than men (32%). Cartilage defects were the most common MRI finding (76%). Osteophyte formation is represented by 12 (48%) cases. There were six cases with normal cartilage appearance and 19 cases have different grades of cartilage defect. Grade II cartilage defect was the most common finding (eight cases, 32%); 12 (48%) cases presented with osteophyte; 11 (44%) cases had osteophytes greater than 5 mm and one (4%) case had osteophyte of less than 5 mm.ConclusionThree-dimensional Gradient echo imaging is considered the standard technique for morphologic evaluations of knee cartilage. The 3D-WATS are proved to be more helpful in accurate assessment of cartilage thickness and volume, showing morphological changes of cartilage surface and internal cartilage signal changes. The 3D-WATS sequences cannot replace routine 2D sequences because they do not allow accurate assessment of other important joint structures.