Comparative Analysis of T2 Mapping and Conventional MRI Techniques in Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of quantitative T2 mapping compared with conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for early detection of cartilage degeneration in knee osteoarthritis (OA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty participants were included, comprising 30 patients with clinically diagnosed knee OA and 20 healthy controls. All subjects underwent knee imaging using a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner. Conventional MRI sequences (T1W, T2W, PD with fat suppression, GRE, and STIR) were assessed using the Magnetic Resonance Osteoarthritis Knee Score (MOAKS) for structural evaluation, while T2 mapping was performed using a multi-echo spin-echo sequence to quantify relaxation times across femoral, tibial, and patellar cartilage regions. Statistical analyses compared T2 relaxation times between OA-affected and healthy cartilage tissues. RESULTS: T2 mapping demonstrated significantly higher relaxation times in OA-affected cartilage, particularly in the patellofemoral and femoral condyle regions, indicating biochemical disruption and increased water content. These early changes were not consistently identified on conventional MRI, which primarily detected advanced morphological alterations. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative T2 mapping offers superior sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy over conventional MRI in detecting early cartilage degeneration in knee OA. By revealing biochemical alterations preceding structural damage, it supports earlier diagnosis, targeted therapy, and personalized disease management, enhancing clinical outcomes and long-term joint preservation.