Cartilage T and T2 relaxation times: Longitudinal reproducibility and variations using different coils, MR systems and sites

X. Li, V. Pedoia, D. Kumar, J. Rivoire, C. Wyatt, D. Lansdown, K. Amano, N. Okazaki, D. Savic, M. F. Koff, J. Felmlee, S. L. Williams, S. Majumdar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

74 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the longitudinal reproducibility and variations of cartilage T and T2 measurements using different coils, MR systems and sites. Methods: Single-Site study: Phantom data were collected monthly for up to 29 months on four GE 3T MR systems. Data from phantoms and human subjects were collected on two MR systems using the same model of coil; and were collected on one MR system using two models of coils. Multi-site study: Three participating sites used the same model of MR systems and coils, and identical imaging protocols. Phantom data were collected monthly. Human subjects were scanned and rescanned on the same day at each site. Two traveling human subjects were scanned at all three sites. Results: Single-Site Study: The phantom longitudinal RMS-CVs ranged from 1.8% to 2.7% for T and 1.8-2.8% for T2. Significant differences were found in T and T2 values using different MR systems and coils. Multi-Site Study: The phantom longitudinal RMS-CVs ranged from 1.3% to 2.6% for T and 1.2-2.7% for T2. Across three sites (n = 16), the in vivo scan-rescan RMS-CV was 3.1% and 4.0% for T and T2, respectively. Phantom T and T2 values were significantly different between three sites but highly correlated (R > 0.99). No significant difference was found in T and T2 values of traveling controls, with cross-site RMS-CV as 4.9% and 4.4% for T and T2, respectively. Conclusion: With careful quality control and cross-calibration, quantitative MRI can be readily applied in multi-site studies and clinical trials for evaluating cartilage degeneration.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2214-2223
Number of pages10
JournalOsteoarthritis and Cartilage
Volume23
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cartilage
  • Multi-site study
  • Quantitative MRI
  • Reproducibility
  • T
  • T

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Rheumatology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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