Age and Sex Comparison of the Canine Supraspinatus Tendon Using Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging T2 Mapping

Objective The normal canine supraspinatus tendon has properties commonly attributed to damage such as core hyperintensity and increased width. Little is published regarding the normal tendon, including how senescent changes and sex differences may affect the appearance. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques provide subjective analysis of tendons based on observer assessment of signal intensity and appearance. Quantitative MRI (qMRI) techniques such as T2 mapping provide an objective comparison of collagen orientation with analysis of a decay constant, T2. This study investigates age and sex related changes in the canine supraspinatus tendon using the qMRI technique of T2 mapping. Methods In this study, 34 tendons of clinically sound male and female dogs (0.6-13 years) were imaged using qMRI T2 mapping techniques. Sagittal plane T2 maps of the supraspinatus tendon were depth-normalized, and profiles compared using two separate four-parameter logistic equations describing T2 mapping profiles as sigmoidal curves. Combined parameters evaluated included range of T2 values, curve steepness, vertical curve shift, lower bound of T2, upper bound of T2 and horizontal curve shift. Results A significant reduction in the most central portion of the supraspinatus tendon was found for every increased year in age (-1.56 & PLUSMN; 0.47 milliseconds [-2.56, -0.56, p = 0.004]). No significant difference in curve parameters was found between sexes. Conclusion The reduction in T2 with age suggests a senescent change may be anticipated with the canine supraspinatus tendon.