Role of MRI and T2 mapping in osteoarthritis of knee joint

Abstract

Introduction: osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease and the leading cause of long-term disability, placing tremendous financial burdens at the individual and societal levels. Indeed, the onset of biochemical changes leading to irreversible cartilage loss. Objective: to clarify the role of conventional MRI anT2 mapping in patients with osteoarthritis of knee joint. Materials and methods: This prospective study was conducted between June 2019 and July 2021, on 40 cases; 30 patients clinically presented with knee pain and 10 healthy volunteers as a control group. They were referred from outpatient clinics and orthopedic surgery department to Radio-diagnosis and Medical Imaging Department of Tanta university hospitals for assessment by MRI. This study was approved by the ethics committee of Tanta University. Results: The mean and standard deviation for T2 values of cartilage that measured at 4 compartments of the knee joint were elevated in patients clinically suspected to have osteoarthritic changes than healthy volunteers with statistically significant P values (<0.001) at 4 compartments. Conclusions: MRI is a powerful non-invasive tool for both diagnosis and characterization of cartilage degeneration.