Precise 3D skeletal kinematics using fast phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging.

PURPOSE

To examine the precision of cine-phase contrast (PC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques as applied to the quantification of three-dimensional knee joint kinematics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The knee joints of eight healthy volunteers were studied using three different dynamic, PC MRI protocols: cine-PC (one average), cine-PC (two averages), and cine-PC with segmented phase encoding (fast-PC).

RESULTS

Fast-PC has comparable precision, shorter scan times, and improved subject interexam variability (SIEV) compared to cine-PC (two averages). Further, cine-PC (one average) has low precision and high SIEV, making fast-PC the preferred method of data acquisition. Specifically, the precision of fast-PC MRI in measuring knee joint kinematics ranged from 0.22 degrees -1.16 degrees.

CONCLUSION

A cine-PC MRI technique utilizing segmented phase encoding (fast-PC MRI) acquires dynamic data at a faster rate than other PC imaging protocols, without compromising data precision. Being able to acquire precise 3D kinematics with shorter imaging times is critical if we are to use this technique to advance ongoing research in musculoskeletal kinematics.