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Magnetic resonance imaging and histology of ovine hip joint cartilage in two age populations: a sheep model with assumed healthy cartilage

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Abstract

Objective

To compare morphologically normal appearing cartilage in two age groups with delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage (dGEMRIC) and correlate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings with histology.

Materials and methods

Twenty femoral head specimens collected from ten lambs (group I) and ten young adult sheep (group II) underwent dGEMRIC and histological assessment. A region of 2 cm2 with morphologically normal-appearing cartilage was marked with a surgical suture for subsequent matching of MRI and histological sections. The MRI protocol included a three-dimensional (3D) double-echo steady-state sequence for morphological cartilage assessment, a B1 pre-scan with various flip angles for B1 field heterogeneity correction, and 3D volumetric interpolated breathhold examination for T1Gd mapping (dGEMRIC). Histological analysis was performed according to the Mankin scoring system.

Results

A total of 303 regions of interest (ROI; 101 MRI reformats matching 101 histological sections) was assessed. Twenty-six ROIs were excluded owing to morphologically apparent cartilage damage or insufficient MR image quality. Therefore, 277 ROIs were analyzed. Histological analyses revealed distinct degenerative changes in various cartilage samples of group II (young adult sheep). Corresponding T1Gd values were significantly lower in the group of sheep (mean T1Gd = 540.4 ms) compared with the group of lambs (mean T1Gd = 623.6 ms; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Although morphologically normal, distinct cartilage degeneration may be present in young adult sheep cartilage. dGEMRIC can reveal these changes and may be a tool for the assessment of early cartilage degeneration.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by a research grant of the research commission of the University of Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Medical Faculty, University of Düsseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany

    Christoph Zilkens, Clemens Crumbiegel, Monika Herten, Rüdiger Krauspe & Bernd Bittersohl

  2. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, University of Düsseldorf, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany

    Falk R. Miese & Gerald Antoch

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Children’s Hospital Boston, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Young-Jo Kim

Authors
  1. Christoph Zilkens
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  2. Falk R. Miese
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Correspondence to Christoph Zilkens.

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Zilkens, C., Miese, F.R., Crumbiegel, C. et al. Magnetic resonance imaging and histology of ovine hip joint cartilage in two age populations: a sheep model with assumed healthy cartilage. Skeletal Radiol 42, 699–705 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-012-1554-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-012-1554-7

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