MR SPECTROSCOPIC IMAGING OF COLLAGEN - TENDONS AND KNEE MENISCI MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE Gold, G. E., Pauly, J. M., Macovski, A., Herfkens, R. J. 1995; 34 (5): 647-654

Abstract

Water molecules associated with collagen have short transverse (T2) relaxation times. Projection-reconstruction techniques are able to achieve an echo time (TE) much shorter than conventional techniques, allowing imaging of tissues with T2 < 5 ms. Using these techniques, a conventional 1.5-T MRI human imaging system can directly image collagen-associated water from knee menisci and tendons in normal volunteers and patients. Long-T2 suppression improves the contrast between these structures and the surrounding tissue with long-T2 relaxation times. Spectroscopic imaging provides improved lipid/water registration and information about chemical composition and relaxation times. Direct imaging of tendons and menisci may provide more information about these structures and provide a new way to assess both injury and repair.

View details for Web of Science ID A1995TD42800001

View details for PubMedID 8544684