Quantitative Magnetization Transfer and Multi-Component T2 Mapping for Evaluating the Articular Cartilage of the Knee Joint

This feasibility study will be performed to determine whether quantitative magnetization transfer (qMT) and multi-component T2 mapping (mcDESPOT) techniques can be used to detect cartilage degeneration within the knee joint. In this study, we will perform qMT and mcDESPOT scans on the knee joint of 20 patients with osteoarthritis and compare cartilage parameters obtained in these subjects with parameters obtained in 10 young asymptomatic volunteers. We hypothesize that qMT and mcDESPOT parameters will be significantly different between groups of subjects indicating that the techniques can distinguish between healthy and degenerative cartilage.