MR SPECTROSCOPIC IMAGING OF COLLAGEN - TENDONS AND KNEE MENISCI

Water molecules associated with collagen have short transverse (T-2) r elaxation times. Projection-reconstruction techniques are able to achi eve an echo time (TE) much shorter than conventional techniques, allow ing imaging of tissues with T-2 < 5 ms. Using these techniques, a conv entional 1,5-T MRI human imaging system can directly image collagen-as sociated water from knee menisci and tendons in normal volunteers and patients. Long-T-2 suppression improves the contrast between these str uctures and the surrounding tissue with long-T-2 relaxation times. Spe ctroscopic imaging provides improved lipid/water registration and info rmation about chemical composition and relaxation times. Direct imagin g of tendons and menisci may provide more information about these stru ctures and provide a new way to assess both injury and repair.