T2 Radiomic Features Are More Sensitive Than Mean T2 for Cartilage Load Response: A Stress MRI Study

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that T2 radiomic features are more sensitive than mean T2 values in detecting cartilage response to loading in stress MRI, especially in a cadaveric knee model, regardless of meniscectomy.

Contribution

It introduces the use of radiomic texture parameters in stress MRI to better assess cartilage load response compared to traditional T2 mapping.

Findings

Radiomic parameters detected load-induced cartilage changes.

Mean T2 values showed no significant dependency on load or meniscectomy.

Radiomic features remained sensitive after meniscectomy.

Abstract

Objective: To assess response-to-loading in a human cadaveric knee joint model under different loading conditions before and after meniscectomy Design: In this prospective study, stress magnetic resonance imaging was performed using an MR-compatible loading device and quantitative T2 mapping in unloaded (UL), 0${\deg}$ neutrally loaded (LN) and 10${\deg}$ varus loaded (LV) condition before and after meniscectomy. Mean T2 values and four radiomic texture parameters were assessed within the cartilage of medial femur (MF) and medial tibia (MT) for all conditions. Results: Medial joint space width decreased from UL to LN to LV and after meniscectomy (all p<0.05). T2 values did not show any significant dependency on pressure or meniscectomy (all p>0.05). The radiomic parameter variance could assess loading induced textural T2 changes in the MF (UL vs. LN: p=0.042; UL vs. LV: p<0.001; LN vs. LV: p=0.022), and, in part, in the MT (LN vs. LV: p<0.013). Meniscectomy did not significantly alter the T2 mean values or radiomic parameters, respectively. Conclusions: T2-based radiomic features were more sensitive to assess cartilage response to loading than T2-mapping alone.