Objective To observe the spatial variation of T2 values in MRI normal (0 grade) patella cartilages on 1. 5T MRI and its relationships with gender and age, and to compare T2 values between MRI 0 grade and degenerative patella cartilages (MRI I -IV grades). Methods Totally 452 patients underwent routine knee MRI at 1. 5T MR scanner. Quantitative T2-mapping of patella cartilages was obtained with six-echo and spin-echo MR sequences. The patella cartilages were classified as MRI 0 (normal) and I -IV grades (degenerated). T2 values of medial, lateral, full-thickness and lesion site of the most thickest layers in patella cartilage were measured and compared. Results There was no statistical difference in T2 values among the medial, lateral and full-thickness of MRI 0 grade patella cartilages (P=0. 15). No statistical correlation was found between genders and T2 values for 0 grade cartilage. However, in patients aged over 60 years, T2 values of MRI 0 grade cartilages were greater than those in other groups. In degenerative cartilages, T2-lesion values were greater than both T2-contrast and T2 of MRI 0 grade (all P<0.001). There were statistical differences in T2 values among grades I -IV degenerative cartilages (P<0. 001). T2 values gradually increased with the advance of cartilage degeneration. Conclusion T2 values of MRI 0 grade cartilages are not correlated with genders, but increase with aging. T2 values increase with the degeneration and advancing of cartilage lesions. T2-mapping is valuable for diagnosing and monitoring early osteo-arthritis.%目的 探讨1.5T MRI 0级髌软骨T2值的区域差异及其与性别、年龄间的关系,以及MRI 0级软骨与退变软骨T2值的差异.方法 对452例患者以1.5T MR系统行常规膝关节检查后,采用6回波SE序列扫描完成髌骨轴位T2-mapping成像.对髌软骨进行MRI分级,测量并比较髌软骨最厚层面内侧、外侧、全层和病变处的T2值.结果 MRI 0级髌骨内、外侧软骨和全层软骨的T2值差异无统计学意义(P=0.15).髌软骨全层T2值与性别无相关性.＞60岁者髌软骨T2值高于其他年龄组.当髌软骨退变时,Ⅰ～Ⅳ级T2-病变均明显高于T2-对照(P＜0.001),T2-病变也明显高于MR 0级髌软骨的T2值(P＜0.001).Ⅰ～Ⅳ级髌软骨病变的T2值之间差异有统计学意义(P＜0.001),且T2值随病变分级升高而增加.结论 MRI 0级髌软骨全层T2值与性别无相关性,但随年龄增长而增加.髌软骨退变时T2值随病变严重程度而明显增加.MR T2-mapping成像对诊断和监测骨关节早期病变具有很高的临床价值.
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