{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Variations in knee cartilage thickness: Fully automatic three-dimensional analysis of MRIs from five manufacturers.
{Author}: Katano H;Nagai K;Kaneko H;Sasaki E;Hashiguchi N;Kuroda R;Ishijima M;Ishibashi Y;Adachi N;Tomita M;Masumoto J;Sekiya I;
{Journal}: Eur J Radiol
{Volume}: 176
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Jul 24
{Factor}: 4.531
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2024.111528
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Measurements of knee cartilage thickness derived from MR images are attractive biomarkers for osteoarthritis research. Although some cross-sectional multivendor studies exist, none have employed fully automatic three-dimensional MRI analysis. Our objective was to evaluate the variations in knee cartilage thickness measurements obtained using automated methods and MRI instruments from five different vendors.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>The subjects were 10 healthy volunteers aged 22-60 years. MRI models with 3 Tesla strength from five different companies were used. Cartilage thickness was quantified fully automatically for seven regions. We hypothesized that "the MRI model influences cartilage thickness measurements." Inter-measurement error, defined as the absolute difference between the targeted and median thicknesses determined by the five MRI models, was analyzed using histograms. The factors generating the largest inter-measurement error were also examined.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>No exceptional trends attributable to a specific instrument model were observed, and the p-value from the Kruskal-Wallis test exceeded 0.05 in all seven regions. Therefore, the study hypothesis was rejected. Of the 350 measurements, the inter-measurement error was ≤0.05 mm in 53 %, ≤0.10 mm in 75 %, and ≤0.20 mm in 95 %. Analysis of the medial tibial cartilage, which had the largest inter-measurement error, revealed mis-extraction of synovial fluid as cartilage.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The choice of MRI model did not influence cartilage thickness measurements. Overall, 95 % of the inter-measurement errors were within 0.20 mm. The greatest error resulted from mis-extracting synovial fluid as cartilage.