Intra- and inter-scanner variability of knee cartilage T2 in human knees at 3.0T: a multivendor comparision study

Introduction: MR imaging can provide biomarkers of cartilage quality in Osteoarthritis (OA). Previous studies have shown that hyaline cartilage transverse relaxation time T2 is sensitive to changes in cartilage hydration and collagen fibril microstructure. The National Institute of Health Osteoarthritis Initiative (NIH OAI) is 5-year study (N= 4796) investigating imaging biomarkers of OA; T2 is the only MRI marker of cartilage quality being studied. The NIH OAI study is conducted on 4 Siemens 3.0T scanners. The ability to conduct multicentre and multivendor trials would have the potential for reducing study time and cost by facilitating patient recruitment and throughput. Philips Medical Systems and GE Healthcare also manufacture 3.0T scanners. The study aim is to determine whether cartilage T2 values are comparable between the different vendors at 3.0T.