Evaluation of Articular Cartilage in Knee Osteoarthritis Using Macromolecular Proton Fraction Mapping

Motivation: Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by the degeneration of articular cartilage . Early changes in cartilage are associated with biochemical alterations, such as proteoglycan loss, variations in water content, and subtle structural modifications in collagen. Quantitative assessment methods are required to effectively evaluate these degenerative changes. Goal(s): This study aimed to evaluate the utility of MPF mapping in diagnosing OA. Approach: MPF and T2* values were measured to assess knee cartilage in healthy subjects and OA patients. Results: MPF values in the OA group were significantly lower in the medial femoral cartilage, suggesting that MPF is a valuable marker for OA assessment. Impact: The findings of this study suggest that MPF measurements may be useful for diagnosing OA, as they reflect macromolecular degeneration in knee cartilage.