Reproducibility of three different cardiac T2-mapping sequences at 1.5T and impact of cofactors on T2-relaxation times

Purpose To investigate if T1 and T2 mapping is able to differentiate between diseased and healthy myocardium in patients with systemic sarcoidosis, and to compare the standard mapping measurement (measurement within the whole myocardium of the midventricular short axis slice, SAX) to a more standardized method measuring relaxation times within the midventricular septum (ConSept). Materials and Methods 24 patients with biopsy-proven extracardiac sarcoidosis and 17 healthy control subjects were prospectively enrolled in this study and underwent CMR imaging at 1.5 T including native T1 and T2 mapping. Patients were divided into patients with (LGE+) and without (LGE–) cardiac sarcoidosis. T1 and T2 relaxation times were compared between patients and controls. Furthermore, the SAX and the ConSept approach were compared regarding differentiation between healthy and diseased myocardium. Results T1 and T2 relaxation times were significantly longer in all patients compared with controls using both the SAX and the ConSept approach (p < 0.05). However, LGE+ and LGE– patients showed no significant differences in T1 and T2 relaxation times regardless of the measurement approach used (ConSept/SAX) (p > 0.05). Direct comparison of ConSept and SAX T1 mapping showed high conformity in the discrimination between healthy and diseased myocardium (Kappa = 0.844). Conclusion T1 and T2 mapping may not only enable noninvasive recognition of cardiac involvement in patients with systemic sarcoidosis but may also serve as a marker for early cardiac involvement of the disease allowing for timely treatment. ConSept T1 mapping represents an equivalent method for tissue characterization in this population compared to the SAX approach. Further studies including follow-up examinations are necessary to confirm these preliminary results. Key Points: Citation Format

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T2 Mapping as a New Method for Quantitative Assessment of Cartilage Damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis

The Journal of Rheumatology ◽

10.3899/jrheum.180728 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 47 (6) ◽

pp. 820-825 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nina Renner ◽

Arnd Kleyer ◽

Gerhard Krönke ◽

David Simon ◽

Stefan Söllner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Articular Cartilage ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Disease Duration ◽

T2 Mapping ◽

Cartilage Damage ◽

Relaxation Times ◽

T2 Relaxation ◽

Hand Joints ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri

Objective.Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with damage of the articular cartilage and the periarticular bone. While imaging of bone damage has substantially improved in recent years, direct imaging of the articular cartilage of the hand joints in patients with RA is still challenging. The study used T2 mapping of the finger joints to assess cartilage damage in RA.Methods.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3 Tesla was done in 30 patients with RA, and T2 relaxation times visualizing alteration in the collagen network and hydration of articular cartilage were mapped in 6 cartilage regions of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints 2 and 3. Values were related to autoantibody status [anticitrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), rheumatoid factor (RF)], disease duration, and disease activity as well as sex and age of the patients.Results.T2 relaxation times could be reliably measured in the 6 regions of the MCP joints. Significantly higher relaxation times indicating more advanced cartilage alterations were observed in the metacarpal heads of ACPA-positive (p = 0.001–0.010) and RF-positive patients (p = 0.013–0.025) as well as those with longer disease duration (> 3 yrs; p = 0.028–0.043). Current disease activity, sex, and age did not influence T2 relaxation times.Conclusion.These data show that cartilage damage can be localized and quantified in the hand joints of patients with RA by T2 mapping. Further, ACPA and RF positivity as well as disease duration appear to be the crucial factors influencing cartilage damage.

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Quantitative analysis of the ACL and PCL using T1rho and T2 relaxation time mapping: an exploratory, cross-sectional comparison between OA and healthy control knees

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12891-021-04755-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chanuka D. S. Ranmuthu ◽

James W. MacKay ◽

Victoria A. Crowe ◽

Joshua D. Kaggie ◽

Dimitri A. Kessler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Posterior Cruciate Ligament ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

T2 Mapping ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Relaxation Times ◽

Fast Spin Echo ◽

Human Populations ◽

Cruciate Ligaments ◽

T2 Relaxation

Abstract Background Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods such as T1rho and T2 mapping are sensitive to changes in tissue composition, however their use in cruciate ligament assessment has been limited to studies of asymptomatic populations or patients with posterior cruciate ligament tears only. The aim of this preliminary study was to compare T1rho and T2 relaxation times of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) between subjects with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis (OA) and healthy controls. Methods A single knee of 15 patients with mild-to-moderate knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grades 2–3) and of 6 age-matched controls was imaged using a 3.0 T MRI. Three-dimensional (3D) fat-saturated spoiled gradient recalled-echo images were acquired for morphological assessment and T1ρ- and T2-prepared pseudo-steady-state 3D fast spin echo images for compositional assessment of the cruciate ligaments. Manual segmentation of whole ACL and PCL, as well as proximal / middle / distal thirds of both ligaments was carried out by two readers using ITK-SNAP and mean relaxation times were recorded. Variation between thirds of the ligament were assessed using repeated measures ANOVAs and differences in these variations between groups using a Kruskal-Wallis test. Inter- and intra-rater reliability were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Results In OA knees, both T1rho and T2 values were significantly higher in the distal ACL when compared to the rest of the ligament with the greatest differences in T1rho (e.g. distal mean = 54.5 ms, proximal = 47.0 ms, p < 0.001). The variation of T2 values within the PCL was lower in OA knees (OA: distal vs middle vs proximal mean = 28.5 ms vs 29.1 ms vs 28.7 ms, p = 0.748; Control: distal vs middle vs proximal mean = 26.4 ms vs 32.7 ms vs 33.3 ms, p = 0.009). ICCs were excellent for the majority of variables. Conclusion T1rho and T2 mapping of the cruciate ligaments is feasible and reliable. Changes within ligaments associated with OA may not be homogeneous. This study is an important step forward in developing a non-invasive, radiological biomarker to assess the ligaments in diseased human populations in-vivo.

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Assessment of T2 Relaxation Times for Normal Canine Knee Articular Cartilage by T2 Mapping Using 1.5-T Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology ◽

10.3415/vcot-17-01-0014 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 30 (06) ◽

pp. 391-397 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Asami Matsui ◽

Miki Shimizu ◽

Brian Beale ◽

Fumitaka Takahashi ◽

Sinya Yamaguchi

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Articular Cartilage ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

T2 Mapping ◽

Relaxation Times ◽

Cartilage Thickness ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

T2 Relaxation ◽

Stifle Joint

Abstract Objectives This study aims to assess and compare the T2 relaxation times for articular cartilage of normal canine stifle joints in four regions by T2 mapping using a 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods In vivo prospective study: 20 hindlimbs (left and right) from 10 normal healthy beagle dogs (n = 20). The region of interest (ROI) was subdivided into medial and lateral condyles of femoral cartilage (MF and LF, respectively) and medial and lateral condyles of tibial cartilage (MT and LT, respectively). The T2 relaxation times were assessed in regions where the cartilage thickness was greater than 0.5 mm. Results The median maximum cartilage thickness (mm) of the four ROI were 0.7 (range: 0.9–0.6), 0.6 (range: 0.7–0.5), 0.7 (range: 0.9–0.5) and 0.6 (range: 0.8–0.5) at MF, LF, MT and LT, respectively. The errors in the measurement (%) of the four ROI were 64.3 (range: 50.0–75.0), 75.0 (range: 64.3–90.0), 64.3 (range: 20.0–90.0) and 75.0 (range: 56.3–90.0) at MF, LF, MT and LT, respectively. The median T2 relaxation times (ms) for the articular cartilage of the four ROI were 70.2 (range: 57.9–87.9), 57.5 (range: 46.8–66.9), 65.0 (range: 52.0–92.0) and 57.0 (range: 49.0–66.2) at MF, LF, MT and LT, respectively. The inter-observer correlation coefficient (ICC, 2.1) for the T2 relaxation times of MF was 0.644. Clinical Significance This study offers useful information on T2 relaxation times for articular cartilage of the stifle joint using a 1.5-T MRI in normal dogs.

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Multivariable non-invasive association of isocitrate dehydrogenase mutational status in World Health Organization grade II and III gliomas with advanced magnetic resonance imaging T2 mapping techniques

The Neuroradiology Journal ◽

10.1177/1971400919890099 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 160-168

Author(s):

Maike Kern ◽

Timo A Auer ◽

Uli Fehrenbach ◽

Yasemin Tanyildizi ◽

Thomas Picht ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Relaxation Time ◽

T2 Mapping ◽

Relaxation Times ◽

World Health ◽

T2 Relaxation Time ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

T2 Relaxation ◽

Mutational Status ◽

Grade Ii ◽

Health Organization

Aim To investigate multivariable analyses for noninvasive association of the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutational status in grade II and III gliomas including evaluation of T2 mapping-sequences. Methods Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations with histopathologically proven World Health Organization grade II and III gliomas were retrospectively enrolled. Multivariate receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses to associate IDH mutational status were performed containing quantitative T2 mapping analyses and qualitative characteristics (sex, age, localization, heterogeneity, oedema, necrosis and diameter). Relaxation times were calculated pixelwise by means of standardized ROI analyses. Interobserver variability also was tested. Results Out of 32 patients (mean age: 50.7 years; range: 32–83), nine had grade II gliomas and 24 grade III, while 59.5% showed a positive IDH mutated state (IDHm) and 40.5% were wildtype (IDHw). Multivariable ROC analyses were calculated for relaxation time and range, localization and age with a cumulative 0.955 area under the curve (AUC) ( p < 0.001), while central T2-relaxation time had by far the highest single variable sensitivity (AUC: 0.873; range: 0.762; age: 0.809; localization: 0.713). Age (cut off: 49 years; p = 0.031) and localization ( p = 0.014) were the only qualitative parameters found to be significant as IDHw gliomas were older and IDHm gliomas were preferentially located fronto-temporal. Conclusions This is the first study evaluating quantitative T2 mapping sequences for association of the IDH mutational status in grade II and III gliomas demonstrating an association between relaxation time and mutational status. Analyses of T2 mapping relaxation times may even be suitable for predicting the correct IDH mutational state. Prognostic accuracy increases significantly in predicting the correct mutational state when combing T2 relaxation time characteristics and the qualitative MRI features age and localization.

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Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Exhibit a More Mineralized Deep Cartilage Layer Compared with Nondiabetic Controls: A Pilot Study

Cartilage ◽

10.1177/1947603519870853 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 194760351987085 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sarah C. Foreman ◽

Walid Ashmeik ◽

Joe D. Baal ◽

Misung Han ◽

Emma Bahroos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

T2 Mapping ◽

Relaxation Times ◽

Ankle Brachial Index ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Vascular Health ◽

T2 Relaxation ◽

Cartilage Layer ◽

Short Echo Time

Objective To assess differences in biochemical composition of the deep cartilage layer in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and nondiabetic controls using UTE (ultra-short echo time) T2* mapping and to investigate the association of vascular health and UTE T2* measurements. Design Ten subjects with T2DM matched for age, sex, and body mass index with 10 nondiabetic controls. A 3D UTE sequence with 6 echo times was acquired using 3T magnetic resonance imaging of the knee. For UTE T2* analysis, the deep cartilage layer was segmented and analyzed in 5 compartments (patella, medial, and lateral femur and tibia). The ankle brachial index (ABI) was obtained in all subjects. Linear regression analyses were used to assess associations of T2DM and UTE T2* relaxation times and the associations of ABI measurements and UTE measurements. Results Compared with nondiabetic controls, T2DM subjects had significantly lower mean T2*-UTE in the patella (mean difference 4.87 ms; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-8.65; P = 0.015), the lateral tibia (mean difference 2.26 ms; 95% CI 0.06-4.45; P = 0.045), and the lateral femur (mean difference 4.96 ms; 95% CI 0.19-9.73; P = 0.043). Independent of diabetic status, subjects with higher ABI values, indicating better vascular health, had higher T2*-UTE of the patella (coefficient 15.2; 95% CI 3.3-21.4; P = 0.017), the medial tibia (coefficient 9.8; 95% CI 1.0-18.6; P = 0.031), and the lateral femur (coefficient 18.8; 95% CI 3.3-34.3; P = 0.021). Conclusions T2*-UTE measurements of the deep cartilage layer were consistently lower in subjects with T2DM and in subjects with impaired vascular health, likely indicating increased mineralization of this layer.

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T2 Versus T2* MRI Mapping in the Knee Articular Cartilage at 1.5 Tesla and 3 Tesla

Open Medicine Journal ◽

10.2174/1874220301805010119 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 119-129 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mokhtar Mars ◽

Zeineb Tbini ◽

Souha Gharbi ◽

Mouna Chelli Bouaziz ◽

Fethi Ladeb

Keyword(s):

Articular Cartilage ◽

Negative Correlation ◽

Significant Positive Correlation ◽

T2 Mapping ◽

Relaxation Times ◽

Significant Negative Correlation ◽

3 Tesla ◽

T2 Relaxation ◽

Positive Correlation ◽

T2 Mri

Background: Recently, several studies have shown that T2 and T2* MRI parametric mapping are sensitive to structural and biochemical changes in the extracellular cartilage matrix. The objective of this study was to assess, compare and correlate quantitative T2 and T2* relaxation time of the knee articular cartilage at 1.5 Tesla (T) and 3 Tesla. Methods: Thirty-eight symptomatic patients with knee articular cartilage disease and forty-one asymptomatic volunteers were prospectively included in the study. Knee MRI examination was performed by 3 T and 1.5 T scanner. Multi-Echo Spin-Echo (MESE) and Multi-Echo Gradient Echo (MEGE) sequences were used to determine T2* and T2 maps. T2 and T2* relaxation times values were measured in three Regions Of Itnterest (ROI) on knee articular cartilage using mono-exponential analysis fitting algorithm. Results: There was a significant difference between volunteers and patients for T2 and T2* relaxation times values at 1.5 T and 3 T (p<0.05). The comparison between magnetic fields has shown lower T2 and T2* relaxation times at 3 T compared to 1.5 T. Pearson’s correlation analysis between T2 and T2* at 1.5T revealed a significant positive correlation for volunteers (r=0.245, p = 0.01) and a significant negative correlation for patients (0.016, p = 0.018). At 3T, there was a significant positive correlation between T2 and T2* for volunteers (r=0.076) and patients (r=0.165). The correlation of T2 and T2* between 1.5 T and 3T showed a significant negative correlation (r=-0.087, p = 0.01). Conclusion: T2* mapping may be used for the diagnosis of knee articular cartilage osteoarthritis with the advantage of relatively short scanning time, higher SNR, shorter echo times and the non-effect of the stimulated echo compared to T2 mapping.

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Characterization of parotid gland tumors using T2 mapping imaging: initial findings

Acta Radiologica ◽

10.1177/0284185119875646 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 61 (5) ◽

pp. 629-635 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Qian Wu ◽

Liu-Ning Zhu ◽

Jia-Suo Jiang ◽

Shou-Shan Bu ◽

Xiao-Quan Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parotid Gland ◽

Malignant Tumors ◽

T2 Mapping ◽

Relaxation Times ◽

Threshold Value ◽

T2 Relaxation ◽

Parotid Gland Tumors ◽

Pleomorphic Adenomas ◽

Malignant Group

Background Preoperative accurate characterization of parotid gland tumors in different histologic types is crucial. T2 mapping has been proven to be useful for improving the accuracy of tumor characterization. Purpose To evaluate the ability of T2 mapping imaging in the characterization of parotid gland tumors. Material and Methods T2 mapping imaging was scanned in 74 patients (56 benign, 18 malignant) with pathologically confirmed parotid gland tumors. Mean T2 relaxation time was calculated and compared between benign and malignant group, and among malignant tumors, Warthin’s tumors, and pleomorphic adenomas. Independent-samples t test, one-way analysis of variance test, and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were used for statistical analyses. Results The malignant group showed significantly lower T2 relaxation times than the benign group ( P = 0.001). Using a relaxation time of 91.5 ms as the cut-off value, optimal diagnostic performance could be achieved (area under the curve [AUC] 0.679, sensitivity 46.4%, specificity 94.4%). Pleomorphic adenomas showed significantly higher T2 relaxation times than malignant tumors ( P = 0.003) and Warthin’s tumors ( P = 0.001). However, no significant difference was found on the T2 relaxation times between Warthin’s tumors and malignant tumors ( P = 0.435). Optimal diagnostic performance could be achieved (AUC 0.783, sensitivity 58.1%, specificity 94.4%), when setting a T2 value of 92.0 ms as the threshold value for differentiating pleomorphic adenomas from malignant tumors. Meanwhile, optimal AUC, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.892, 87.1%, and 83.3%, respectively, when setting a T2 value of 80.5 ms as the threshold value for differentiating pleomorphic adenomas from Warthin’s tumors. Conclusion T2 mapping imaging could serve as an incremental imaging biomarker for characterizing parotid gland tumors.

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Multiparametric Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance in Acute Myocarditis: Comparison of 2009 and 2018 Lake Louise Criteria With Endomyocardial Biopsy Confirmation

Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine ◽

10.3389/fcvm.2021.739892 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Shuang Li ◽

Xuejing Duan ◽

Guangxun Feng ◽

Arlene Sirajuddin ◽

Gang Yin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Endomyocardial Biopsy ◽

Diagnostic Performance ◽

T1 Mapping ◽

Acute Myocarditis ◽

T2 Mapping ◽

Relaxation Times ◽

T2 Relaxation ◽

3.0 T ◽

Combined Parameters

Background: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has been shown to improve the diagnosis of myocarditis, but no systematic comparison of this technique is currently available. The purpose of this study was to compare the 2009 and 2018 Lake Louise Criteria (LLC) for the diagnosis of acute myocarditis using 3.0 T MRI with endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) as a reference and to provide the cutoff values for multiparametric CMR techniques.Methods: A total of 73 patients (32 ± 14 years, 71.2% men) with clinically suspected myocarditis undergoing EMB and CMR with 3.0 T were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to EMB results (EMB-positive and -negative groups). The CMR protocol consisted of cine-SSFP, T2 STIR, T2 mapping, early and late gadolinium enhancement (EGE, LGE), and pre- and post-contrast T1 mapping. Their potential diagnostic ability was assessed with receiver operating characteristic curves.Results: The myocardial T1 and T2 relaxation times were significantly higher in the EMB-positive group than in the EMB-negative group. Optimal cutoff values were 1,228 ms for T1 relaxation times and 58.5 ms for T2 relaxation times with sensitivities of 86.0 and 83.7% and specificities of 93.3 and 93.3%, respectively. The 2018 LLC had a better diagnostic performance than the 2009 LLC in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. T1 mapping + T2 mapping had the largest area under the curve (0.95) compared to other single or combined parameters (2018 LLC: 0.91; 2009 LLC: 0.76; T2 ratio: 0.71; EGEr: 0.67; LGE: 0.73; ). The diagnostic accuracy for the 2018 LLC was the highest (91.8%), followed by T1 mapping (89.0%) and T2 mapping (87.7%).Conclusion: Emerging technologies such as T1/ T2 mapping have significantly improved the diagnostic performance of CMR for the diagnosis of acute myocarditis. The 2018 LLC provided the overall best diagnostic performance in acute myocarditis compared to other single standard CMR parameters or combined parameters. There was no significant gain when 2018LLC is combined with the EGE sequence.

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T1 and T2 Mappings in the Early Diagnosis of Achilles Tendinosis

Open Medicine Journal ◽

10.2174/1874220301603010083 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 83-88

Author(s):

Zeineb Tbini ◽

Mokhtar Mars ◽

Mouna Chelli

Keyword(s):

Achilles Tendon ◽

Patient Group ◽

T1 Mapping ◽

T2 Mapping ◽

Relaxation Times ◽

Normal Group ◽

T2 Relaxation ◽

Spin Echo Sequence ◽

Significant Difference ◽

T1 And T2

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare T1 and T2 relaxation times of normal and pathologic Achilles Tendon (AT) in order to evaluate the ability of these methods to detect early Achilles tendon tendinosis. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight subjects were included in this study. Twenty-two subjects were classified as normal group and twenty-six subjects as patient group with tendinosis. MR examination was performed by 3 Tesla scanner using a 12 channel head coil. For relaxation times quantification, we used a sagittal 3D FLASH variable flip angle gradient echo UTE sequence (3D VFA-GE UTE) for T1 mapping and a sagittal Multi Echo Spin Echo sequence (MESE) for T2 mapping. Relaxation times were quantified using two different algorithms written in MATLAB. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Our results showed a statistically significant difference in T1 and T2 values for the normal group compared to the patient group (p<0.05). Mean values of T1 and T2 were 571.69 ms and 24.16 ms for the normal group and 818.10 ms and 32.43 ms for the patient group, respectively. Results reported no correlation (r=0.193) for T1 mapping and a positive significant moderate correlation (r=0.542, p=0.000) for T2 mapping between the normal and patient groups. T1 and T2 showed no correlation in the normal group (r= 0.091, p=0.489) and a positive significant weak correlation in the patient group (r=0.263, p=0.048). Conclusion: We concluded that T1 and T2 relaxation times are relatively sensitive to diagnosis degenerative changes in the AT and T1 is more sensitive to AT tendinosis compared to T2.

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