Osteoarthritis Stages Classification to Human Joint Imagery Using Texture Analysis: A Comparative Study on Ten Texture Descriptors

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a major risk factor for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Although ACL reconstruction (ACLR) restores stability, it does not reliably prevent OA. This study investigated the radiographic features of patients with knee OA more than 10 years after ACLR. Thirty patients (21 female and 9 male; mean age, 45.4 ± 12.0 years) who underwent ACLR more than 10 years ago (mean postoperative period, 14.5 ± 4.0 years) were included. Standing anteroposterior radiographs of ACLR and contralateral healthy knees were evaluated for Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade, osteophyte width at the medial and lateral tibial and femoral surfaces, and minimum joint space width (mJSW). Lower limb alignment was assessed using medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) and joint line convergence angle (JLCA). Subgroup analyses were based on KL grade concordance and history of partial meniscectomy. KL grades were significantly higher in ACLR knees than in contralateral knees (P < .001). Osteophyte widths were greater in ACLR knees at medial tibia (2.1 ± 1.1 mm vs 0.5 ± 0.7 mm), lateral tibia (2.3 ± 2.3 mm vs 0.5 ± 0.7 mm), medial femur (2.0 ± 1.7 mm vs 0.1 ± 0.4 mm), and lateral femur (1.4 ± 2.3 mm vs 0.2 ± 0.5 mm); all P < .001. No significant differences were observed in mJSW (P = .904), MPTA (P = .232), or JLCA (P = .681). Subgroup analyses showed similar findings. Enlarged osteophytes without joint space narrowing were observed in ACLR knees, suggesting a posttraumatic OA radiographic pattern distinct from that of primary OA.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a 6-month period of intensive running followed by the participation at a marathon run on cartilage volume and thickness in knees of marathon beginners. Ten asymptomatic marathon beginners underwent a supervised 6-month training program, which was finalized by the participation at a marathon run. Three-dimensional quantitative magnetic resonance imaging was performed before the training program (baseline measurements) and 1 day after the marathon (follow-up measurements). Cartilage volume and thickness of the medial and lateral femur, medial and lateral tibia, and patella were measured using semiautomated cartilage segmentation and three dimensional data postprocessing. Significant differences between baseline and follow-up measurements were observed at the lateral femur, where cartilage volume and thickness decreased by a mean of 3.2 ± 3.0% (p = 0.012) and 1.7 ± 1.6% (p = 0.010), respectively. No significant changes in cartilage volume and thickness were observed at the medial and lateral tibia, the medial femur, and the patella. Significant cartilage loss was observed at the lateral femur; however, the measured values are comparable to previously reported precision errors for quantitative cartilage measurement and thus most likely not of clinical relevance. High-impact forces during long-distance running are well tolerated even in marathon beginners and do not lead to clinical relevant cartilage loss. IV.

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of tomosynthesis in depicting osteophytes and subchondral cysts, with use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging as the reference, and to test whether the lesions detected at radiography and tomosynthesis are associated with pain. The study was approved by local institutional review board, and all subjects gave written informed consent. Forty subjects (80 knees) older than 40 years were recruited irrespective of knee pain or radiographic osteoarthritis. Knees were imaged with radiography, tomosynthesis, and MR imaging. Presence of osteophytes and subchondral cysts in four locations of tibiofemoral joint (medial and lateral femur and tibia) was recorded. Knee pain was assessed by using the Western Ontario and McMaster University pain subscale. MR imaging depicted 171 osteophytes and 51 subchondral cysts. Tomosynthesis had a higher sensitivity for osteophyte detection in left and right lateral femur (0.96 vs 0.75, P = .025, and 1.00 vs 0.71, P = .008, respectively), right medial femur (0.94 vs 0.72, P = .046), and right lateral tibia (1.00 vs 0.83, P = .046). For subchondral cyst detection, the sensitivity of tomosynthesis was 0.14-1.00 and that of radiography was 0.00-0.56. Both modalities had similar specificity for both lesions. Subjects with tomosynthesis-depicted osteophytes (odds ratio, 4.2-6.4; P = .001-.011) and medially located subchondral cysts (odds ratio, 6.7-17.8; P = .004-.03) were more likely to feel pain than those without. However, radiography-depicted osteophytes were more strongly associated with pain than were tomosynthesis-depicted osteophytes. Tomosynthesis depicted more osteophytes and subchondral cysts than did radiography. Subjects with tomosynthesis-depicted osteophytes and subchondral cysts were more likely to feel pain than those without such lesions.

Bone shape changes over two years following acute anterior cruciate ligament injury: Reconstructed vs non-reconstructed knees

A reference database of cartilage 3 T MRI T2 values in knees without diagnostic evidence of cartilage degeneration: data from the osteoarthritis initiative

To investigate the association of the presence and severity of diabetes mellitus (DM) with articular cartilage composition, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based T2 relaxation time measurements, and structural knee abnormalities. In the Osteoarthritis Initiative 208, participants with DM (age 63.0 ± 8.9 years; 111 females) and risk factors for osteoarthritis (OA) or mild radiographic tibiofemoral OA (Kellgren-Lawrence [KL] grade ≤2) were identified and group-matched with 208 controls without DM (age 63.3 ± 9.1 years; 111 females). Subjects with diabetes-related renal or ophthalmological complications or insulin treatment at baseline (n = 50) were defined as severe DM. 3T MR images of the right knee were assessed for articular cartilage T2 , including texture and laminar analyses derived from the patella, medial, and lateral femur and tibia and for structural abnormalities using the modified whole-organ magnetic resonance imaging score (WORMS). Clustered linear regression analyses were used to assess associations of DM with MRI findings. DM subjects had significantly higher cartilage T2 in the patella (mean difference 0.92 msec [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79, 1.06]; P = 0.001) and medial femur (mean difference 0.36 msec [95% CI 0.27, 0.81]; P = 0.006) compared to controls. Averaged over all compartments, DM subjects showed significantly higher texture parameters (variance, P = 0.001; contrast, P = 0.002; entropy, P < 0.001). Subjects with severe DM additionally showed higher T2 in the medial tibial deep and superficial layers (P = 0.011 and P = 0.041) compared to controls. No significant differences in cartilage, meniscus, and overall WORMS were found between the groups (P > 0.05). In comparison to nondiabetic controls, cartilage in DM subjects showed higher and more heterogeneous cartilage T2 values, indicating increased articular cartilage degeneration. This affected even more compartments in subjects with severe DM. 2 Technical Efficacy: 5 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:380-390.

Background: Recent advancements in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) have been remarkable, with disease symptoms nearly disappearing due to their strong anti-inflammatory action and many patients achieving remission. As a result, the need for RA-related surgery has shown a yearly decreasing trend, especially knee surgery and synovectomy procedures [1]. On the other hand, cases of secondary osteoarthritis (OA) in knee joints as a symptom associated with RA following a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are increasing. Objectives: We investigated the morphology of osteophytes by quantitatively evaluating their size using images obtained prior to performing a TKA. Additionally, the relationships of osteophyte size with patient background, disease activity, and degree of inflammation were examined. Methods: Radiographs of 35 consecutive knees in 30 RA patients (26 females, 4 males; mean age 63.0 years; median disease duration 15 years) who underwent TKA, including preoperative standing AP view radiographs of the knee joint, were retrospectively analyzed. Using the Image-J software package, osteophyte size in the medial femur (MF), medial tibia (MT), lateral femur (LF), and lateral tibia (LT) regions was determined. Written informed consent for data collection was obtained from all patients in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Results: Preoperative Larsen grade was 2, 3, 4, and 5 in 1, 12, 18, and 2 patients, respectively, while the mean range of motion of the knee joint was 118° for flexion and -10° for extension. The mean femorotibial angle (FTA) was 178±13.6°, with varus (FTA >180°, n=14) more frequently observed as compared to valgus (FTA Conclusion: Our results suggest that secondary OA is a more prominent symptom in RA patients in whom inflammation is controlled, while disease activity has effects on osteophyte size. Reference: [1] Momohara S, Ikari K, Mochizuki T, et al: Declining use of synovectomy surgery for patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Japan. Ann Rheum Dis 2009;68:291-2. Disclosure of Interests: None declared

Longitudinal changes in cartilage thickness in knees with osteophytes but no joint space narrowing versus contralateral knees without radiographic OA

SAT0323 Marked bilateral symmetricity of cartilage damage, bone marrow lesions and meniscal damage in subjects with knee pain and with or without radiographic osteoarthritis: The jog study

Approximately 10% of all patients that require a total knee arthroplasty present with valgus osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Valgus OA goes along with posterolateral bone loss and lateral soft tissue tightness. The role of malalignment on the development of OA is not fully understood. The current study investigates whether the femoral offset (FO), femoral mechanical-anatomical (FMA) angle, anatomical lateral distal femur angle (aLDFA), mechanical lateral distal femur angle (mLDFA), medial proximal femur angle (MPFA), medial proximal tibia angle (MPTA) or lateral distal tibia angle (LDTA) differ in patients with valgus OA of the knee. FO, FMA angle, aLDFA, mLDFA, MPFA, MPTA and LDTA were assessed and compared between 100 consecutive knees with minimal valgus OA (50 male, 50 female) and 100 consecutive knees with minimal varus OA (50 male, 50 female). FO was significantly higher in males with valgus OA (p = 0.002) and females with varus OA (p = 0.01). The observed values for the FMA angle were significantly higher in males with valgus OA (p = 0.002) and females with varus OA (p = 0.041). The aLDFA and mLDFA were significantly smaller in all patients with valgus OA (p < 0.001). No differences between the varus and valgus groups were detected regarding MPFA (males: p = 0.052; females: p = 0.719). Tibial measurements showed significantly higher values for the MPTA (p < 0.001) in both valgus groups and no difference for LDTA (men: p = 0.139; women: p = 0.196). Bony alterations in the femoral anatomy seem to be more important than in the tibial anatomy. While in male patients with valgus OA, the main anatomic variation is the hypoplasia of the lateral femoral condyle, in females both decreased femoral offset of the hip as well as hypoplasia of the lateral condyle are present. III.

BackgroundUltrasound can evaluate osteophytes and synovitis in persons with knee OA. However, albeit the literature demonstrates a positive association between knee pain and synovitis, the instruments used to report pain,...

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease resulting in high rates of disability and low quality of life. The initial site of OA (bone or cartilage) is uncertain. The aim of the current study was to explore biomarkers and pathological processes in subchondral bone samples. The gene expression profile GSE51588 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Fifty subchondral bone [knee lateral tibial (LT) and medial tibial (MT)] samples from 40 OA and 10 non-OA subjects were analyzed. After data preprocessing, 5439 genes were obtained for weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Highly correlated genes were divided into 19 modules. The yellow module was found to be highly correlated with OA (r = 0.71, p = 1e-08) and the brown module was most associated with the differences between the LT and MT regions (r = 0.77, p = 1e-10). Gene ontology functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment indicated that the yellow module was enriched in a variety of components including proteinaceous extracellular matrix and collagen trimers, involved in protein digestion and absorption, axon guidance, ECM-receptor interaction, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. In addition, the brown module suggests that the differences between the early (LT) and end (MT) stage of OA are associated with extracellular processes and lipid metabolism. Finally, 45 hub genes in the yellow module (COL24A1, COL5A2, COL3A1, MMP2, COL6A1, etc.) and 72 hub genes in the brown module (LIPE, LPL, LEP, SLC2A4, FABP4, ADH1B, ALDH4A1, ADIPOQ, etc.) were identified. Hub genes were validated using samples from cartilage (GSE57218). In summary, 45 hub genes and 72 hub genes in two modules are associated with OA. These hub genes could provide new biomarkers and drug targets in OA. Further studies focusing on subchondral bone are required to validate these hub genes and better understand the pathological process of OA.

Towards understanding mechanistic subgroups of osteoarthritis: 8-year cartilage thickness trajectory analysis.

Objective. To determine the diagnostic performance of standing computerized tomography (SCT) of the knee for osteophytes and subchondral cysts compared with fixed-flexion radiography, using MRI as the reference standard. Methods. Twenty participants were recruited from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study. Participants’ knees were imaged with SCT while standing in a knee-positioning frame, and with postero-anterior fixed-flexion radiography and 1T MRI. Medial and lateral marginal osteophytes and subchondral cysts were scored on bilateral radiographs and coronal SCT images using the OARSI grading system and on coronal MRI using Whole Organ MRI Scoring. Imaging modalities were read separately with images in random order. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for the detection of lesions were calculated and differences between modalities were tested using McNemar’s test. Results.Participants’ mean age was 66.8 years, body mass index was 29.6 kg/m2 and 50% were women. Of the 160 surfaces (medial and lateral femur and tibia for 40 knees), MRI revealed 84 osteophytes and 10 subchondral cysts. In comparison with osteophytes and subchondral cysts detected by MRI, SCT was significantly more sensitive (93 and 100%; p < 0.004) and accurate (95 and 99%; p < 0.001 for osteophytes) than plain radiographs (sensitivity 60 and 10% and accuracy 79 and 94%, respectively). For osteophytes, differences in sensitivity and accuracy were greatest at the medial femur (p = 0.002). Conclusions. In comparison with MRI, SCT imaging was more sensitive and accurate for detection of osteophytes and subchondral cysts than conventional fixed-flexion radiography. Additional study is warranted to assess diagnostic performance of SCT measures of joint space width, progression of OA features and the patellofemoral joint.

Quantitative MRI can detect early biochemical changes in cartilage; however, the conventional techniques only measure one parameter (e.g., T1 , T2 , and T1ρ ) at a time while also being comparatively slow. We implemented a 3D magnetic resonance fingerprinting (3D-MRF) technique for simultaneous, volumetric mapping of T1 , T2 , and T1ρ in knee articular cartilage in under 9 min. It is evaluated on 11 healthy volunteers (mean age: 53 ± 9 years), five mild knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients (Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) score: 2, mean age: 60 ± 4 years), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)/International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) system phantom. Proton density image, and T1 , T2, T1ρ relaxation times, and B1 + were estimated in the NIST/ISMRM system phantom as well as in the human knee medial and lateral femur, medial and lateral tibia, and patellar cartilage. The repeatability and reproducibility of the proposed technique were assessed in the phantom using analysis of the Bland-Altman plots. The intrasubject repeatability was assessed with the coefficient of variation (CV) and root mean square CV (rmsCV). The Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess the difference between healthy subjects and mild knee OA patients. The Bland-Altman plots in the NIST/ISMRM phantom demonstrated an average difference of 0.001% ± 015%, 1.2% ±7.1%, and 0.47% ±3% between two scans from the same 3-T scanner (repeatability), and 0.002% ± 015%, 0.62% ±10.5%, and 0.97% ± 14% between the scans acquired on two different 3-T scanners (reproducibility) for T1 , T2 , and T1ρ , respectively. The in vivo knee study showed excellent repeatability with rmsCV less than 1%, 2%, and 1% for T1 , T2 , and T1ρ , respectively. T1ρ relaxation time in the mild knee OA patients was significantly higher (p< 0.05) than in healthy subjects. The proposed 3D-MRF sequence is fast, reproducible, robust to B1 + inhomogeneity, and can simultaneously measure the T1 , T2 , T1ρ , and B1 + volumetric maps of the knee joint in a single scan within a clinically feasible scan time.