Mapping Hip Cartilage Over Time: A Pipeline for Longitudinal Analysis of Quantitative MRI Using Radial Sections

Motivation: Scientific literature on osteoarthritis of the hip is very sparse, especially compared to the knee, because MRI assessment of the hip is incredibly challenging. Goal(s): Our goal was to determine clinical feasibility for cartilage assessment of the hip captured through radial imaging planes. Approach: We acquired 2D radial images of the hip joint at three different time points and assessed them using standard image processing techniques. Results: We demonstrate that 2D radial imaging is a constructive approach for mitigating partial volume artifacts and the resulting images can be effectively processed for quantitative and qualitative analyses of the hip joint cartilage. Impact: We demonstrate a processing pipeline for analysis of hip cartilage longitudinally acquired through radial imaging planes. The proposed methods could facilitate the clinical translation of quantitative radial imaging for assessment of the hip cartilage for pre-symptomatic indicators of disease.