T2 mapping of cartilage in the equine distal interphalangeal joint with corresponding histology using 0.27 T and 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract Background Low‐field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely available to equine veterinarians yet is insensitive at detecting cartilage damage in the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ). T2 mapping is a quantitative imaging technique that can detect cartilage damage before morphological change is apparent. Objectives Validation of a T2 mapping sequence on a low‐field MR system. Correlation of the mean T2 relaxation time in sections of cartilage with varying levels of pathology using low‐ and high‐field MRI. Study design Cross‐sectional study. Methods Eight phantoms with known (nominal) T2 values underwent low‐field (0.27 T) MRI and 38 ex vivo DIPJs were imaged. A further 9 ex vivo DIPJs were imaged on both the low‐ and high‐field MR systems. Immediately after imaging, the DIPJs were disarticulated and samples collected for histology. Histological sections were graded using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring system. Fiji ImageJ software with the MRIAnalysisPak plugin was used to calculate T2 maps and draw the regions of interest (ROIs). Results There was close agreement between the nominal and the measured T2 values in the phantom study. Spearman's rank correlation demonstrated significant positive correlation between low‐ and high‐field T2 measurements, rho 0.644 ( p < 0.001). The intrarater agreement for T2 measurements was excellent, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.99 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.99–1.00), the inter‐rater agreement was excellent, ICC = 0.88 (95% CI = 0.82–0.92) and there was good intrarater agreement for OARSI scores (к = 0.76). Main limitations Only a small number of histological samples were analysed. Both articular cartilage surfaces were measured within the ROI. There were no OARSI grade 0 control samples. Conclusions A T2 mapping sequence on a low‐field 0.27 T MR system was validated. There was a positive correlation between low‐ and high‐field T2 measurements. The findings suggest a higher mean T2 relaxation time in pathological cartilage tissue examined in this study compared to normal equine cartilage tissue.