Research Article
Role of Adding T2 Mapping Sequence to the Routine Mr Imaging Protocol in the Assessment of Articular Knee Cartilage in Osteoarthritis
Kulkarni AM*, Halakoli RS, Baloj SS, Geethanjali AM, and Rao SV
Department of Radiodiagnosis, S. S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere, Karnataka, India
*Corresponding author:Dr Akhil M Kulkarni, MD, Department of Radiodiagnosis, S. S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davangere, Karnataka, India. E-mail id: drakhilmkulkarni@gmail.com
Copyright: © 2026 Kulkarni AM, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Article Information:Submission: 20/08/2026; Accepted: 12/10/2026; Published: 17/10/2026
Abstract
Introduction:Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is characterized by early biochemical cartilage changes that may precede visible morphological damage. Conventional 1.5 Tesla MRI provides detailed anatomy but may be less sensitive to early matrix alterations. T2 mapping quantifies T2 relaxation and is sensitive to changes in collagen organization and tissue water content.
Methods:A prospective observational study of 50 participants (25 OA and 25 controls) was performed over two years at SSIMS & RC, Davangere. All participants underwent routine 1.5 Tesla knee MRI with an additional T2 mapping sequence. T2 relaxation values and cartilage thickness were assessed at the medial and lateral femoral condyles, medial and lateral tibial plateaus and patella. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results:Mean T2 relaxation values were significantly higher in OA patients than in controls across all assessed compartments (p < 0.001). Cartilage thickness did not differ significantly between the groups at the femoral condyles or tibial plateaus. However, patellar cartilage was significantly thicker in the OA group than in the control group (1.88 ± 0.55 mm vs. 1.57 ± 0.36 mm; p = 0.025).
Conclusion:T2 mapping demonstrated biochemical and microstructural cartilage abnormalities before consistent morphological thinning and can be incorporated into routine 1.5 Tesla knee MRI as a quantitative adjunct for early OA assessment.
Methods:A prospective observational study of 50 participants (25 OA and 25 controls) was performed over two years at SSIMS & RC, Davangere. All participants underwent routine 1.5 Tesla knee MRI with an additional T2 mapping sequence. T2 relaxation values and cartilage thickness were assessed at the medial and lateral femoral condyles, medial and lateral tibial plateaus and patella. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
Results:Mean T2 relaxation values were significantly higher in OA patients than in controls across all assessed compartments (p < 0.001). Cartilage thickness did not differ significantly between the groups at the femoral condyles or tibial plateaus. However, patellar cartilage was significantly thicker in the OA group than in the control group (1.88 ± 0.55 mm vs. 1.57 ± 0.36 mm; p = 0.025).
Conclusion:T2 mapping demonstrated biochemical and microstructural cartilage abnormalities before consistent morphological thinning and can be incorporated into routine 1.5 Tesla knee MRI as a quantitative adjunct for early OA assessment.
Keywords:Knee osteoarthritis; T2 mapping; Quantitative MRI; Articular cartilage; Cartilage degeneration; 1.5 Tesla MRI