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Clinical physiology and functional imaging2013; 34(3); 237-241; doi: 10.1111/cpf.12086

Accuracy of MRI technique in measuring tendon cross-sectional area.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has commonly been applied to determine tendon cross-sectional area (CSA) and length either to measure structural changes or to normalize mechanical measurements to stress and strain. The ability to reproduce CSA measurements on MRI images has been reported, but the accuracy in relation to actual tendon dimensions has never been investigated. The purpose of this study was to compare tendon CSA measured by MRI with that measured in vitro with the mould casting technique. The knee of a horse was MRI-scanned with 1.5 and 3 tesla, and two examiners measured the patellar tendon CSA. Thereafter, the patellar tendon of the horse was completely dissected and embedded in an alginate cast. The CSA of the embedded tendon was measured directly by optical imaging of the cast impression. 1.5 tesla grey tendon CSA and 3 tesla grey tendon CSA were 16.5% and 13.2% lower than the mould tendon CSA, respectively. Also, 3 tesla tendon CSA, based on the red-green border on the National Institute of Health (NIH) colour scale, was lower than the mould tendon CSA by 2.8%. The typical error between examiners was below 2% for all the measured CSA. The typical error between examiners was below 2% for all the measured CSA. These data show that measuring tendon CSA on the grey-scale MRI images is associated with an underestimation, but by optimizing the measurement using a 3 tesla MRI and the appropriate NIH colour scale, this underestimation could be reduced to 2.8% compared with the direct measurements on the mould.
© 2013 Scandinavian Society of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2013-09-30 PubMed ID: 24119143DOI: 10.1111/cpf.12086Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article investigates the accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in measuring the Cross-Sectional Area (CSA) of tendons, comparing MRI results with direct measurements from a mould casting technique. The findings suggest that the standard MRI techniques underestimate the CSA of tendons, but this gap can be minimized by using a stronger 3 tesla MRI and specific colour scales.

Research Purpose and Methodology

  • The main aim of this research was to evaluate the accuracy of MRI, a common technique used for measuring the cross-sectional area (CSA) and length of tendons. This is significant in studying structural changes in the tendon, as well as in normalizing mechanical measurements to stress and strain.
  • To evaluate the accuracy of MRI, the researchers performed an MRI scan of a horse’s knee using two different levels of intensity – 1.5 and 3 tesla. The CSA of the patellar tendon was measured by two different examiners.
  • Following this, the patellar tendon was dissected and encased in an alginate mould. The actual CSA of the tendon was then measured directly with the help of optical imaging of the mould impression.
  • The CSA measurements from the MRI scans were then compared with the actual measurements from the mould casting technique.

Findings and Interpretations

  • The study found that the CSA measurements of the tendon taken using the 1.5 tesla and 3 tesla MRI scans were 16.5% and 13.2% lower, respectively, than the actual CSA as measured from the mould.
  • When the measurements were based on the red-green border on the National Institute of Health (NIH) colour scale, the underestimation was significantly lower, at around 2.8% for the 3 tesla MRI images.
  • The variance between the examiners measuring the CSA was consistently below 2%, thereby highlighting the reproducibility of the CSA measurements.
  • The research thus suggests that while MRI techniques can underestimate the CSA of tendons, this shortcoming can be minimized substantially by using a 3 tesla MRI and following the NIH colour scale.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The study concludes that while there exists a certain degree of discrepancy in tendon CSA measurements between MRI methods and the direct mould casting technique, technology advancements can help narrow this gap.
  • The findings hold particular significance for research, clinical diagnosis, and treatment planning involving tendon-related injuries and disorders, as they offer pathways for obtaining more accurate measurements and assessments.

Cite This Article

APA
Couppé C, Svensson RB, Sødring-Elbrønd V, Hansen P, Kjaer M, Magnusson SP. (2013). Accuracy of MRI technique in measuring tendon cross-sectional area. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging, 34(3), 237-241. https://doi.org/10.1111/cpf.12086

Publication

Clinical physiology and functional imaging
ISSN: 1475-097X
NlmUniqueID: 101137604
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 34
Issue: 3
Pages: 237-241

Researcher Affiliations

Couppé, C
  • Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Sports Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital and Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen NV, Denmark; Department of Physical Therapy, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen NV, Denmark.
Svensson, R B
    Sødring-Elbrønd, V
      Hansen, P
        Kjaer, M
          Magnusson, S P

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Horses
            • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
            • Patellar Ligament / anatomy & histology
            • Predictive Value of Tests
            • Replica Techniques
            • Reproducibility of Results

            Citations

            This article has been cited 12 times.
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              doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00963pubmed: 31427983google scholar: lookup
            6. Eriksen CS, Svensson RB, Gylling AT, Couppé C, Magnusson SP, Kjaer M. Load magnitude affects patellar tendon mechanical properties but not collagen or collagen cross-linking after long-term strength training in older adults. BMC Geriatr 2019 Jan 31;19(1):30.
              doi: 10.1186/s12877-019-1043-0pubmed: 30704412google scholar: lookup
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              doi: 10.1186/s40798-015-0009-9pubmed: 27747846google scholar: lookup
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              pubmed: 26110175
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              doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-56840-6pubmed: 38519507google scholar: lookup
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