Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility of delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cartilage (dGEMRIC) in the ankle at 3 T and to obtain preliminary data on matrix associated autologous chondrocyte (MACI) repair tissue.
Materials and methods: A 3D dual flip angle sequence was used with an eight-channel multipurpose coil at 3 T to obtain T1 maps both pre- and postintravenous contrast agent (Magnevist, 0.2 mM/kg). Postcontrast T1 over time was evaluated in three volunteers; a modified dGEMRIC protocol was then used to assess 10 cases after MACI in the ankle.
Results: Forty-five minutes were found sufficient for maximum T1 decrease. MACI cases had a precontrast mean T1 of 1050 +/- 148.4 msec in reference cartilage (RC) and 1080 +/- 165.6 msec in repair tissue (RT). Postcontrast T1 decreased to 590 +/- 134.0 msec in RC and 554 +/- 133.0 msec in RT. There was no significant difference between the delta relaxation rates in RT (9.44 x 10(-4) s(-1)) and RC (8.04 x 10(-4) s(-1), P = 0.487). The mean relative delta relaxation rate was 1.34 +/- 0.83.
Conclusion: It is feasible to assess the thin cartilage layers of the ankle with dGEMRIC at 3 T; MACI can yield RT with properties similar to articular cartilage.