Repeatability of Quantitative T1, T2 and T1ρ Mapping of Knee Cartilage with 3D-MR Fingerprinting

Motivation: 3D-MRF sequence for simultaneous multi-parametric mapping has the potential to provide a more time-efficient comprehensive evaluation of the knee cartilage. Goal(s): However, evaluation of 3D-MRF repeatability of knee cartilage is limited. Approach: 3D-MRF and conventional sequences for knee cartilage were acquired four times on fourteen healthy subjects. Multi-parametric maps were computed and repeatability was evaluated. Results: High inter- and intra-subject repeatabilities were found using the 3D-MRF sequence over seven days with good agreement to conventional sequences. Impact: The 3D-MRF sequence showed high T1, T2, and T1ρ repeatability on knee cartilage on different days and good agreement with conventional methods.