For standard MOCART and MOCART 2.0 evaluation, a high-resolution proton-density (PD) turbo spin-echo (TSE) sequence, a T2-weighted dual fast spin-echo (Dual-FSE) sequence, and a T1-weighted turbo inversion recovery magnitude (TIRM) sequence were performed on a 3.0-T MRI unit (Tim Trio; Siemens Healthcare) in combination with a dedicated 8-channel knee coil (In Vivo). For 3D-MOCART assessment and measurement of BMELSs and subchondral overgrowth, a 3D true fast imaging with steady-state precession (True-FISP) sequence and an isotropic fat-suppressed 3D PD Sampling Perfection with Application optimized Contrasts using different flip angle Evolutions (SPACE) sequence were used (see
Before 2006, a 1.0-T MRI unit (Gyroscan Intera) was used. The performed sequences—sagittal T1 spin-echo (SE) sequence, sagittal Dual-FSE sequence, and sagittal 3D gradient-echo sequence with fat suppression—are presented in
In addition to the standard protocol, a flexible standard surface coil (TMJ coil, Gyroscan Intera; Philips) with an inner diameter of 8 cm was placed over the knee compartment of interest to scan a sagittal (femorotibial) or axial (patellofemoral) Dual-TSE sequence.