Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of two quantitative MRI methods: diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast enhanced imaging (DCEI), for follow-up assessment of the tibial tunnel after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Materials and methods: Twenty-three patients were examined by MRI at 1 and 6 months following ACL reconstruction. DWI and DCEI were utilized for evaluating the region of interest (ROI) within the proximal part of the tibial tunnel. From the resulting apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, ADC values were calculated. DCEI data were used to extract the enhancement factor (f(enh)) and the enhancement gradient (g(enh)) for the same ROI.
Results: Calculated ADC as well as the f(enh) and g(enh) had diminished to a statistically significant extent by 6 months after ACL reconstruction. The average ADC value diminished from 1.48 (10(-3) mm(2)/s) at 1 month to 1.30 (10(-3) mm(2)/s) at 6 months after reconstruction. The average f(enh) value decreased from 1.21 at 1 month to 0.50 at 6 months and the average g(enh) value decreased from 2.01%/s to 1.15%/s at 6 months, respectively.
Conclusion: The study proved feasibility of DWI and DCEI for quantitative assessment of the tibial tunnel at 1 and 6 months after ACL reconstruction. Both methods have the potential for use as an additional tool in the evaluation of new methods of ACL reconstruction. To our knowledge, this is the first time quantitative MRI has been used in the follow-up to the ACL graft healing process.