Association of layer-specific knee cartilage T2-relaxation measurements with age, sex and cartilage morphology at 1.5-T MRI

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Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent joint disease in adults, significantly impacting socioeconomic factors.
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MRI-derived T2-relaxation times are sensitive indicators of early biochemical changes in cartilage, marking early OA stages.
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The study aimed to establish reference T2-values for knee cartilage, differentiating between layers and regions in healthy adults.
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A total of 1824 knee joints were analyzed, with 300 showing normal cartilage morphology and 624 exhibiting pathological changes.
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The research utilized a 1.5-T MRI scanner to assess T2-relaxation times, enhancing understanding of OA and aiding early detection.

European Radiology

by Katharina Aschauer, Marc-André Weber, Robin Bülow, Norbert Hosten, Matthias Seitel, Carsten Oliver Schmidt, Hanjo Marquardt, Frank Weber, Bastian Klaan
July 25, 2025

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