Grading Articular Cartilage of the Knee Using Fast Spin-Echo Proton Density-Weighted MR Imaging Without Fat Suppression

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Abstract
OBJECTIVE. The objective of this work was to determine the accuracy of fast spin-echo proton density-weighted MR imaging in the evaluation of the articular cartilage of the knee using arthroscopy as a gold standard.MATERIALS AND METHODS. We retrospectively reviewed MR images of the knee in 54 patients for whom arthroscopic results were available. All MR imaging studies included fast spin-echo proton density-weighted coronal and axial sequences as part of our routine protocol. Evaluation of the articular surfaces was performed by three independent observers who were unaware of the arthroscopic results. The cartilage surfaces were graded using a 3-point system, and results were compared with arthroscopic findings.RESULTS. Of 324 cartilage surfaces evaluated, arthroscopy showed 241 surfaces as normal, 56 as containing partial-thickness defects, and 27 as containing full-thickness defects. Compared with arthroscopic data, sensitivity of MR imaging for the three reviewers was 59-73.5%; specificity, 86.7-90.5%;...

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