Cartilage compositional MRI-a narrative review of technical development and clinical applications over the past three decades.

Li, Xiaojuan; Kim, Jeehun; Yang, Mingrui; Ok, Ahmet H; Zbýň, Štefan; Link, Thomas M; Majumdar, Sharmilar; Ma, C Benjamin et al. · Skeletal Radiol · 2024

review · Level V

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Abstract

Articular cartilage damage and degeneration are among hallmark manifestations of joint injuries and arthritis, classically osteoarthritis. Cartilage compositional MRI (Cart-C MRI), a quantitative technique, which aims to detect early-stage cartilage matrix changes that precede macroscopic alterations, began development in the 1990s. However, despite the significant advancements over the past three decades, Cart-C MRI remains predominantly a research tool, hindered by various technical and clinical hurdles. This paper will review the technical evolution of Cart-C MRI, delve into its clinical applications, and conclude by identifying the existing gaps and challenges that need to be addressed to enable even broader clinical application of Cart-C MRI.

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