3D MRI analysis of cartilage and meniscus to elucidate pathophysiology of knee osteoarthritis

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K09643
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 56020:Orthopedics-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: Ozeki Nobutake 東京医科歯科大学, 統合研究機構, 講師 (10755359)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 半月板 / MRI / 超音波

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We used 3D MRI software to analyze knees diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee and meniscus injuries. For knees subjected to high tibial osteotomy or meniscus surgery, arthroscopic cartilage evaluation was compared with the cartilage area fraction that could be analyzed by 3D MRI. In addition, the meniscus has a protective effect on cartilage by covering the cartilage, and the degree of cartilage damage correlates with the degree of coverage of the meniscus measured by 3D MRI. We observed the synovial membrane in total knee arthroplasty by ultrasound and were able to verify that thickening and hypervascularization were observed and that the meniscus was extruded compared to normal cases.

Free Research Field

整形外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究において、変形性膝関節症患者および半月板損傷の診断を受けた膝を3D MRIソフトウェアで解析した結果、関節鏡所見と3D MRIによる軟骨面積率の関連性を見出すことができた。3D MRIの妥当性を客観的に示すことができ、今後の変形性膝関節症患者の診断や治療方針決定に大きな役割を果たすことができた。また、半月板被覆率と軟骨損傷の相関を3D MRIを用いて示すことができた。今後、半月板の被覆を改善することで軟骨損傷の予防につなげる治療法の開発に貢献することができた。超音波診療の有用性についても示すことができた。