[T2 mapping and knee thickness measurement in healthy young adults using quantitative 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the T2 values and knee thickness in healthy young adults using 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) .

METHODS

Totally 40 volunteers(18-30 years old) with body mass index between 18.5-24.0 kg/m(2) were divided into two groups(22 men and 18 women) according to their gender. Also in addition, each group was divided into two subgroups(right knee and left knee) . The T2 values and the thickness of the areas on the medial condyle of femur, the lateral condyle of femur, the medial tibial plateau, the lateral tibial plateau, and the patella of the knee cartilage were measured.

RESULTS

The T2 values and the thickness of the right and left knee cartilages showed no significant differences between men and women (P>0.05) . Also, the T2 values in the five parts of the knee cartilage also were not significantly different between men and women (P>0.05) . However, the thickness of the 5 parts of the knee cartilage significantly differed between men and women(P<0.05) .

CONCLUSIONS

The thickness of the knee cartilage may different between male and female young adults. The T2 values of the cartilage may be not affected by the gender.