3D T2* Mapping of the Medial Meniscus at 7T Before and After Posterior Root Tear Repair: A Pilot Study

Motivation: Medial meniscus posterior horn root tears (MMPRTs) are serious injuries that displace the meniscus, causing extrusion and accelerated knee osteoarthritis. Goal(s): Utilize quantitative MRI at 7T to evaluate the meniscus in healthy controls and patients with MMPRTs, both before and six months after repair. Approach: Conduct 3D T2* mapping of the medial meniscus at 7T in the patients, comparing results to matched healthy controls, and examine the relationship between T2* values and meniscus extrusion. Results: T2* values were significantly elevated across the medial meniscus in pre-repair patients and remained high six months post-repair, with strong correlations to meniscus extrusion. Impact: This study utilizes the high signal-to-noise ratio of 7 Tesla and 3D T2* mapping to quantitatively and longitudinally assess meniscal tissue integrity in patients following medial meniscus posterior root tear repair, providing valuable insights into the effectiveness of the intervention.