“
“Objective: The objective was to compare patients after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) and microfracture therapy (MFX) of the talus using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), with morphological and clinical

scoring.

Materials and methods: Twenty patients treated with MACT or MFX (10 per group) were examined using 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 48 +/- 21.5 and 59.6 +/- 23 months after surgery, respectively. For comparability, patients from each group were matched by age, body mass index, and follow-up. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score served as clinical assessment tool pre- and postoperatively. DWI was obtained using a partially balanced, steady-state gradient echo pulse sequence, as well as the Magnetic Citarinostat mw Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) score, based on a 2D proton density-weighted turbo spin-echo sequence and a 3D isotropic true fast imaging with

steady-state precession sequence. Semi-quantitative diffusion quotients were calculated after region of interest analysis of repair tissue (RT) and healthy control cartilage, and compared among both groups.

Results: The mean AOFAS score improved significantly (P = 0.001) for both groups (MACT: 48.8 +/- 20.4-83.6 +/- 9.7; MFX: 44.3 +/- 16.5-77.6 +/- 13.2). No differences in the AOFAS (P = 0.327) and MOCART (P = 0.720) score Smoothened Agonist were observed between MACT and MFX postoperatively. DWI distinguished between healthy cartilage and cartilage RT in the MFX group (P = 0.016), but not after MACT treatment (P = 0.105). Significant correlations were found between MOCART score and DWI index after MFX (Pearson: -0.648; P = 0.043), and between the diffusivity and longer follow-up interval in MACT group (Pearson: -0.647, P = 0.043).

Conclusion:

Whereas conventional scores reveal a similar outcome after MACT or MFX treatment in the ankle joint, DWI was able to distinguish between different RI qualities, as reported histologically for these diverse surgical procedures. (C) 2012 Repotrectinib nmr Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Objective: Bone marrow lesions (BML) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, yet their exact role, etiology, and natural history remain unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the natural history of BML in a healthy population and identify risk factors associated with their persistence and incidence.

Methods: One hundred forty-eight healthy middle-aged women had magnetic resonance imaging performed on their dominant knee at baseline and 2 years later to assess the presence, natural history, and risk factors for persistence and incidence of BML.