Quantitative Assessment of Meniscal Degeneration Using Three-dimensional Ultrashort Echo Time Adiabatic T1ρ (3D UTE-AdiabT1ρ) Imaging

Motivation: The three-dimensional ultrashort echo time adiabatic T1ρ (3D UTE-AdiabT1ρ) sequence can provide magic angle-insensitive evaluation of proteoglycan depletion in both short- and long-T2 tissues in the knee joint. Goal(s): Our goal was to assess its clinical performance. Approach: We applied this sequence to healthy volunteers and patients with different degrees of osteoarthritis. Results: The sequence could be used for quantitative evaluation of meniscus degeneration. The UTE-AdiabT1ρ values in different subregions showed a significant positive relationship with WORMS, Stoller grades and KL groups. The 3D UTE-AdiabT1ρ biomarker can diagnose meniscal degeneration at an early stage. Impact: The 3D UTE-AdiabT1ρ sequence allows quantitative imaging of the menisci. The UTE-AdiabT1ρ biomarker can diagnose meniscal degeneration at an early stage. Early detection of compositional changes in the menisci is of critical importance in avoiding or slowing down OA progression.