Year: 2019
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Imaging biomarkers such as T2 and T2* relaxation times have been used in a variety of tissues as surrogates of structural components.Before using such techniques to assess ACL tissue, healthy values must be established.The purpose of this study was to characterize T2 and T2* ACL relaxation times in clinically relevant sub-regions in healthy ACLs.Methods: Healthy males (n=20) and females (n=20) were assessed via 3T magnetic resonance imaging.T2 weighted structural imaging was performed to obtain ACL volume.T2 and T2* relaxation imaging were then performed.The ACL was sub-divided into proximal, middle and distal thirds where regional T2 and T2* relaxation times were calculated.A 1 between (sex) and 3 within (sub-region) RMANOVA compared T2 and T2* relaxation times.Results: For the T2 relaxation analysis, the middle sub-region was greater than the proximal sub-region, and males had greater distal sub-region relax-ation times than females.T2* relaxation times were significant greater in the distal than proximal and middle sub-regions in males and females.Conclusion: This is the first report of in vivo T2 and T2* ACL relaxation times in healthy individuals.Relaxation times were generally less in proximal portions of the ligament suggesting a nonuniform ligamentous structure.Level of evidence: IV.
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2917467160