Project outline

Our hypothesis is that the quantitative non-invasive MRI assessment of structural composition of the osteochondral junction analyzed with novel 2D-UTE sequence (mono- and bi-exponential T2* mapping) in addition to conventional morphological magnetic resonance imaging, will help to detect the early changes of the osteochondral junction in osteoarthritis thus provide a more comprehensive evaluation of OA.

More information on the funding source (FWF) webpage

Research Team

  • Ap. Prof. Vladimir Juras, PhD

    Medical University of Vienna, High Field MR Center, Vienna, Austria

  • Ing. Peter Latta, PhD.

    Multimodal and Functional Imaging Laboratory, CEITEC, Brno, Czechia

  • Assoc.Prof. PD Mag. Dr. Stefan Tögel

    Head of 'Karl Chiari Lab for Orthopaedic Biology' Department of Orthopedics and Trauma-Surgery (Division of Orthopedics), Vienna, Austria

Work Packages

  • Phase 1: Technical development of 2D-UTE (in collaboration with CEITEC, Brno, Czechia) for mono- and bi-component T2* mapping of subchondral bone at 7T micro-MRI, 7T whole body MRI and clinical 3T MRI.

  • Phase 2: Ex vivo validation of the 2D-UTE T2* MRI techniques using the correlation of T2* in OCJ with cartilage OA stage assessed by histopathological evaluation

  • Phase 3: In vivo protocol optimization of the 2D-UTE T2* MRI technique for studying osteochondral junction in volunteers at 7T MRI scanner (including sodium MRI) and 3T MRI scanner (without sodium MRI)

  • Phase 4: In vivo protocol application of the 2D-UTE T2* MRI technique for studying osteochondral junction in patients with early OA at 3T MRI and 3T PET-MRI.

  • Phase 5: Data processing and evaluation: Using automated cartilage segmentation, the T2* values will be extracted and evaluated


Automated segmentation of the articular knee cartilage

Advanced multi-parametric biochemical MR imaging has the potential to monitor the alterations in osteochondral junction and in this way, draw a conclusion about the quality of cartilage in course of time and, possibly, about the prognosis after using disease modifying drug treatment. One of the most innovative aspects of this project will be the link between the MR data and PET-MR values providing an information on metabolic activity of subchondral bone.


Selection of three regions of interest per patient used for µMRI and histological analysis. The three regions are visually selected by gross examination to cover different degeneration stages. 1: intact/mild degeneration; 2: moderate degeneration; 3: severe degeneration)


PET-MRI of human knee, which is able to detect inflammation and subchondral bone remodeling

Publications (to be regularly updated)

  • Publication 1

  • Publication 2

  • Publication 3