Behzadi C, Welsch G H, Laqmani A, Henes F O, Kaul M G, Schoen G, Adam G, Regier M
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclearmedicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, 20246, Germany.
Department of Sports Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, 20246, Germany.
Eur J Radiol. 2017 Jan;86:105-111. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2016.10.028. Epub 2016 Oct 27.
Recent investigation has underlined the potential of quantitative MR imaging to be used as a complementary tool for the diagnosis of cartilage degeneration at an early state. The presented study analyses T2* relaxation times of articular cartilage of the knee in professional athletes and compares the results to age- and BMI (Body Mass Index)-matched healthy amateur athletes.
22 professional football players and 22 age- and BMI-matched individuals were underwent knee Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at 3T including qualitative and quantitative analysis. Qualitative analysis included e.g. meniscal tears, joint effusion and bone edema. For quantitative analysis T2* (22 ET: 4.6-53.6ms) measurements in 3D data acquisition were performed. Deep and superficial layers of 22 predefined cartilage segments were analysed. All data sets were postprocessed using a dedicated software tool. Statistical analysis included Student t-test, confidence intervals and a random effects model.
In both groups, T2* relaxation times were significantly higher in the superficial compared to the deep layers (p<0.001). Professional athletes had significantly higher relaxation times in eight superficial and three deep cartilage layers in the predefined cartilage segments (p<0.05). Highly significant differences were found in the weight-bearing segments of the lateral superficial femoral condyle (p<0.001).
Elevated T2* values in cartilage layers of professional football players compared to amateur athletes were noted. The effects seem to predominate in superficial cartilage layers.
近期研究强调了定量磁共振成像作为早期诊断软骨退变辅助工具的潜力。本研究分析了职业运动员膝关节软骨的T2*弛豫时间，并将结果与年龄和体重指数（BMI）匹配的健康业余运动员进行比较。
22名职业足球运动员和22名年龄及BMI匹配的个体接受了3T膝关节磁共振成像（MRI）检查，包括定性和定量分析。定性分析包括半月板撕裂、关节积液和骨水肿等。定量分析在3D数据采集中进行T2*（22次回波时间：4.6 - 53.6毫秒）测量。对22个预定义软骨节段的深层和浅层进行分析。所有数据集均使用专用软件工具进行后处理。统计分析包括学生t检验、置信区间和随机效应模型。
在两组中，浅层的T2*弛豫时间均显著高于深层（p<0.001）。在预定义软骨节段中，职业运动员的八个浅层和三个深层软骨层的弛豫时间显著更高（p<0.05）。在外侧股骨髁浅层的负重节段发现了高度显著差异（p<0.001）。
与业余运动员相比，职业足球运动员软骨层的T2*值升高。这种影响似乎在浅层软骨层中更为明显。
