Change of Diffusion Tensor Imaging Parameters in Articular Cartilage With Progressive Proteoglycan Extraction

Abstract

Mean diffusivity evidence by the ADC is linearly correlated to progressive PG extraction in articular cartilage. FA and the first eigenvector seem to be specific to the collagen architecture of cartilage. DTI has the potential to become a valuable biomarker for the workup of cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis, since evaluation of the PG content and collagen architectural properties of cartilage can be performed with a single, non–contrast-enhanced proton-based MRI measurement.