Short echo time magnetic resonance imaging of tendon.
Abstract: Current clinical magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies provide almost no useful signal from normal tendon and have no clear advantage over other imaging modalities in the evaluation of tendon injuries. The authors believe that tendon MR signal may be T2-limited, and, if so, could be enhanced by short echo time (TE) pulse sequences. The relationship of tendon signal intensity and tendon infrastructure conspicuity to TE was assessed at three different field strengths. Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging studies were performed on samples of normal equine tendon at 3 different field strengths with spin-echo or gradient-recalled-echo sequences of varying TE. Tendon signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) were determined for each study and images were evaluated for visual evidence of tendon infrastructure. Results: Tendon SNR demonstrated a strong inverse relationship to TE at each field strength. Signal-to-noise ratio values of 10 to 40 were achieved on the shortest TE studies (TE < 3 msec). Tendon infrastructure could be visualized and was primarily dependent on in-plane resolution and to a lesser extent on SNR. Conclusions: Short echo time MR imaging enhances tendon signal. Under optimal imaging conditions, tendon infrastructure can be evaluated. As high-performance gradient coil systems become available for clinical imaging systems, the authors believe similar results will be achievable on routine diagnostic studies and foresee an expanding role for MRI in the evaluation of tendon disease.
Publication Date: 1993-12-01 PubMed ID: 8307712DOI: 10.1097/00004424-199312000-00003Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research paper presents a study on the effectiveness of using short echo time (TE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to visualize tendon infrastructure and enhance tendon signal. The study reveals that the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for the tendon portrays a substantial inverse relationship to TE at multiple field strengths, suggesting that MRI has potential for improved evaluations of tendon diseases as high-performance gradient coil systems advance.
Methodology
- Researchers carried out MR imaging studies on regular equine tendon samples at three differing field strengths.
- These studies used spin-echo or gradient-recalled-echo sequences with varying degrees of TE.
- The SNR for each tendon was ascertained and the images were analyzed for visual signs of tendon infrastructure.
Results
- The SNR of the tendon showed a strong inverse correlation to TE irrespective of the field strength. This means as TE reduces, the SNR increases, enhancing the tendon signal as a result.
- Values of SNR ranging from 10 to 40 were achieved on the shortest TE studies (with TE less than 3 msec).
- Tendon infrastructure was visible and depended primarily on in-plane resolution and, to a lesser extent, the SNR.
Conclusions
- Short TE MR imaging has the potential to enhance tendon signals, and under optimal imaging conditions, the tendon’s infrastructure can be analyzed comprehensively.
- This implies that as high-performance gradient coil systems become more accessible for clinical imaging systems, similar results will potentially be obtainable during standard diagnostic studies.
- As a result, the researchers anticipate an increasing role for MRI in diagnosing and evaluating tendon diseases.
Cite This Article
APA
Koblik PD, Freeman DM.
(1993).
Short echo time magnetic resonance imaging of tendon.
Invest Radiol, 28(12), 1095-1100.
https://doi.org/10.1097/00004424-199312000-00003 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Evaluation Studies as Topic
- Forelimb
- Horses
- In Vitro Techniques
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / instrumentation
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
- Reference Values
- Tendons / anatomy & histology
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Ferguson A, Christophersen C, Elattar O, Farber DC. Achilles Tendinopathy and Associated Disorders.. Foot Ankle Orthop 2019 Apr;4(2):2473011419838294.
- Han M, Larson PE, Liu J, Krug R. Depiction of achilles tendon microstructure in vivo using high-resolution 3-dimensional ultrashort echo-time magnetic resonance imaging at 7 T.. Invest Radiol 2014 May;49(5):339-45.
- Khan KM, Forster BB, Robinson J, Cheong Y, Louis L, Maclean L, Taunton JE. Are ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging of value in assessment of Achilles tendon disorders? A two year prospective study.. Br J Sports Med 2003 Apr;37(2):149-53.
- Kader D, Saxena A, Movin T, Maffulli N. Achilles tendinopathy: some aspects of basic science and clinical management.. Br J Sports Med 2002 Aug;36(4):239-49.
- Schick F, Dammann F, Lutz O, Claussen CD. Adapted techniques for clinical MR imaging of tendons.. MAGMA 1995 Jul;3(2):103-7.
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