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Equine veterinary journal2022; 55(5); 843-852; doi: 10.1111/evj.13900

T2 mapping of cartilage in the equine distal interphalangeal joint with corresponding histology using 0.27 T and 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract: Low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely available to equine veterinarians yet is insensitive at detecting cartilage damage in the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ). T2 mapping is a quantitative imaging technique that can detect cartilage damage before morphological change is apparent. Objective: Validation of a T2 mapping sequence on a low-field MR system. Correlation of the mean T2 relaxation time in sections of cartilage with varying levels of pathology using low- and high-field MRI. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Eight phantoms with known (nominal) T2 values underwent low-field (0.27 T) MRI and 38 ex vivo DIPJs were imaged. A further 9 ex vivo DIPJs were imaged on both the low- and high-field MR systems. Immediately after imaging, the DIPJs were disarticulated and samples collected for histology. Histological sections were graded using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring system. Fiji ImageJ software with the MRIAnalysisPak plugin was used to calculate T2 maps and draw the regions of interest (ROIs). Results: There was close agreement between the nominal and the measured T2 values in the phantom study. Spearman's rank correlation demonstrated significant positive correlation between low- and high-field T2 measurements, rho 0.644 (p < 0.001). The intrarater agreement for T2 measurements was excellent, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.99 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.99-1.00), the inter-rater agreement was excellent, ICC = 0.88 (95% CI = 0.82-0.92) and there was good intrarater agreement for OARSI scores (к = 0.76). Conclusions: Only a small number of histological samples were analysed. Both articular cartilage surfaces were measured within the ROI. There were no OARSI grade 0 control samples. Conclusions: A T2 mapping sequence on a low-field 0.27 T MR system was validated. There was a positive correlation between low- and high-field T2 measurements. The findings suggest a higher mean T2 relaxation time in pathological cartilage tissue examined in this study compared to normal equine cartilage tissue. Unassigned: Niederfeld MRT ist für Pferdetierärzte weithin verfügbar, jedoch verbunden mit niedriger Sensitivität für die Ermittlung von Knorpelschäden in distalen Interphalangealgelenk (DIPJ). T2 Mapping ist eine quantitative bildgebende Technik, welche Knorpelschäden vor dem Auftreten von morphologischen Veränderungen feststellen kann. Unassigned: Validierung einer T2 Mapping Sequenz in einem Niederfeld MRT System. Korrelation des Mittelwertes der T2 Relaxationszeit in Knorpelabschnitten mit variierenden Pathologiegraden unter Verwendung von Nieder- und Hochfeld MRT. Methods: Querschnittstudie. Methods: Acht Phantome mit bekannten (nominellen) T2-Werten und 38 ex vivo DIPJ wurden einem Niederfeld-MRT (0.27 T) unterzogen. Weitere 9 ex vivo DIPJ wurden mit sowohl dem Niederfeld- als auch Hochfeld-MRT untersucht. Unmittelbar nach der Bildgewinnung wurden die DIPJ disartikuliert und histologische Proben entnommen. Histologische Schnitte wurden klassifiziert mithilfe des OARSI Scoring-Systems. Fiji ImageJ Software mit dem MRIAnalysisPak plugin wurde für die Berechnung der T2 -Kartographie und Feststellung der ROIs verwendet. Unassigned: Es herrschte eine hohe Übereinstimmung zwischen den nominellen und gemessenen T2-Werten in der Phantomstudie. Die Spearmans Rangkorrelation demonstrierte eine signifikant positive Korrelation zwischen Nieder- und Hochfeld-T2-Messungen, rho 0.644 (p < 0.001). Die Intrarater Übereinstimmung für T2 Messungen war exzellent, ICC = 0.99 (95% CI = 0.99-1.00), die Interrater Übereinstimmung war exzellent, ICC = 0.88 (95% CI = 0.82-0.92) und Intrarater Übereinstimmung für OARSI-Scores war gut (к = 0.76). HAUPTEINSCHRÄNKUNGEN: Lediglich eine kleine Anzahl histologischer Proben wurde analysiert. Beide Gelenkknorpel Oberflächen wurden innerhalb der ROI gemessen. Es gab keine OARSI Grad 0 Kontrollproben. Unassigned: Eine T2-Mapping Sequenz für ein Niederfeld 0.27 T MR System wurde validiert. Es herrschte eine positive Korrelation zwischen Nieder- und Hochfeld T2 Messungen. Die Ergebnisse weisen auf eine höhere durchschnittliche T2 Relaxationszeit in pathologischem Knorpelgewebe im Vergleich zu normalem equinem Knorpelgewebe hin.
Publication Date: 2022-11-29 PubMed ID: 36397209DOI: 10.1111/evj.13900Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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This research validated the effectiveness of a low-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system in detecting cartilage damage in the equine distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ). The study also found a significant positive correlation between the low- and high-field T2 measurements, suggesting a higher mean T2 relaxation time in cartilage tissue pathology.

Methods

  • They executed a cross-sectional study, where they tested eight phantoms with known T2 values and 38 ex vivo DIPJs using a low-field 0.27 T MRI.
  • Another nine ex vivo DIPJs were imaged on both low- and high-field MR systems.
  • Immediately after imaging, the DIPJs were disarticulated, and samples were collected for histology.
  • The histological sections were graded using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring system.
  • The calculation of T2 maps and the drawing of the regions of interest (ROIs) were carried out using Fiji ImageJ software with the MRIAnalysisPak plugin.

Results

  • There was a substantial agreement between the nominal and measured T2 values in the phantom study.
  • The Spearman rank correlation showed a significant positive correlation between the low- and high-field T2 measurements, with rho 0.644 (p < 0.001).
  • The intrarater agreement for the T2 measurements was excellent, with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)  of 0.99.
  • The inter-rater agreement was excellent, with an ICC  of 0.88, and there was good intrarater agreement for the OASRI scores (к = 0.76).

Conclusions

  • The study only analyzed a small number of histological samples and measured both articular cartilage surfaces within the ROI. There were no OARSI grade 0 control samples.
  • Nevertheless, a T2 mapping sequence on a low-field 0.27 T MR system was validated. There was a positive correlation between the low- and high-field T2 measurements.
  • The findings suggest a higher mean T2 relaxation time in pathological cartilage tissue examined in this study compared to normal equine cartilage tissue.

Cite This Article

APA
Baker ME, Kershaw LE, Carstens A, Daniel CR, Brown H, Roberts S, Taylor SE. (2022). T2 mapping of cartilage in the equine distal interphalangeal joint with corresponding histology using 0.27 T and 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging. Equine Vet J, 55(5), 843-852. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13900

Publication

ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 55
Issue: 5
Pages: 843-852

Researcher Affiliations

Baker, Melissa Eve
  • Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
Kershaw, Lucy Elizabeth
  • Edinburgh Imaging and Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
Carstens, Ann
  • School of Animal, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
Daniel, Carola Riccarda
  • Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
Brown, Helen
  • Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
Roberts, Steve
  • Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging Ltd, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
Taylor, Sarah Elizabeth
  • Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Cartilage, Articular / diagnostic imaging
  • Cartilage, Articular / pathology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Osteoarthritis / diagnostic imaging
  • Osteoarthritis / veterinary
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / veterinary
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Horse Diseases / pathology

Grant Funding

  • G4018 / Horse Trust

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Zhang Y, Wu G, Jiang C, Qiao Y, Zhou G, Yan Z. Clinical evaluation of femoral head cartilage damage using 5-Tesla MRI T2-mapping sequence-based on pathological specimens. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2026 Jan 30;27(1).
    doi: 10.1186/s12891-026-09525-2pubmed: 41612279google scholar: lookup