Correlation between cartilage degeneration in IR-ZTE MR imaging and histological findings in knee osteoarthritis

Motivation: The recently developed IR-ZTE MR technique is being proposed to have osteochondral junction (OCJ) region detection capability. The signal source in IR-ZTE imaging of the OCJ remains to be investigated. Validation by histology would provide strong corroboration of the signal sources. Goal(s): Our goal was to evaluate the correlation between the knee cartilage signal using IR-ZTE and degree of histological degeneration. Approach: Three patients were imaged using IR-ZTE before total knee replacement. Histological analysis was performed using the OARSI osteoarthritis cartilage histopathology assessment system. Results: Results demonstrated that the signal changes of IR-ZTE was correlated strongly degree of histological degeneration in knee cartilage. Impact: IR-ZTE signal seems to serve as an in vivo indicator of the cartilage degeneration in knee OA progression.