Quantitative MRI Assessment of Supraspinatus Tendon Remodeling Following a Single Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Using <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> Mapping and Relaxation Time Profiling

<b>Background:</b> Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques such as <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> mapping may detect early tendon changes following biologic therapies. This study aimed to assess the structural remodeling of the supraspinatus tendon using me...

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Main Authors: Karlo Pintarić, Andrej Vovk, Vladka Salapura, Žiga Snoj, Jernej Vidmar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Diagnostics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/8/1049
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author Karlo Pintarić
Andrej Vovk
Vladka Salapura
Žiga Snoj
Jernej Vidmar
author_facet Karlo Pintarić
Andrej Vovk
Vladka Salapura
Žiga Snoj
Jernej Vidmar
author_sort Karlo Pintarić
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background:</b> Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques such as <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> mapping may detect early tendon changes following biologic therapies. This study aimed to assess the structural remodeling of the supraspinatus tendon using mean <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> values and <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> distribution profiles after an ultrasound (US)-guided single platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection. <b>Methods:</b> Twenty-six patients with symptomatic supraspinatus tendinopathy were divided into tendinosis (<i>n</i> = 9) and partial tear (<i>n</i> = 13) groups. <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> mapping and clinical evaluations (shoulder pain and disability index questionnaire (SPADI), Constant-Murley score) were conducted at baseline and 6 months post-PRP. Mean <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> values were measured in three tendon segments (lateral, middle, and medial), and <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> profiles were compared to asymptomatic controls. <b>Results:</b> Clinical outcomes showed significant improvement in both the tendinosis and partial tear groups at the 6-month follow-up. Although no significant changes were observed in the mean <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> relaxation times across tendon segments following PRP treatment, <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> distribution profiling revealed statistically significant alterations in both groups. In the tendinosis group, post-treatment <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> profiles approached those of the asymptomatic controls, suggesting structural remodeling consistent with tendon healing. <b>Conclusions:</b> <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> mapping is an effective tool for detecting tendon remodeling following PRP therapy. Structural improvements indicative of tissue healing were observed in cases of tendinosis, but not in partial tendon tears. These findings support the use of <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> mapping—particularly the <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> distribution profiling—as a quantitative biomarker for assessing treatment response to PRP.
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spelling doaj-art-b8a84bd865964716b919c0e5ca9d0b072025-08-20T02:28:28ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-04-01158104910.3390/diagnostics15081049Quantitative MRI Assessment of Supraspinatus Tendon Remodeling Following a Single Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Using <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> Mapping and Relaxation Time ProfilingKarlo Pintarić0Andrej Vovk1Vladka Salapura2Žiga Snoj3Jernej Vidmar4Institute of Radiology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaCentre of Clinical Physiology, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaInstitute of Radiology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaInstitute of Radiology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaInstitute of Radiology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia<b>Background:</b> Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques such as <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> mapping may detect early tendon changes following biologic therapies. This study aimed to assess the structural remodeling of the supraspinatus tendon using mean <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> values and <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> distribution profiles after an ultrasound (US)-guided single platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection. <b>Methods:</b> Twenty-six patients with symptomatic supraspinatus tendinopathy were divided into tendinosis (<i>n</i> = 9) and partial tear (<i>n</i> = 13) groups. <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> mapping and clinical evaluations (shoulder pain and disability index questionnaire (SPADI), Constant-Murley score) were conducted at baseline and 6 months post-PRP. Mean <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> values were measured in three tendon segments (lateral, middle, and medial), and <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> profiles were compared to asymptomatic controls. <b>Results:</b> Clinical outcomes showed significant improvement in both the tendinosis and partial tear groups at the 6-month follow-up. Although no significant changes were observed in the mean <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> relaxation times across tendon segments following PRP treatment, <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> distribution profiling revealed statistically significant alterations in both groups. In the tendinosis group, post-treatment <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> profiles approached those of the asymptomatic controls, suggesting structural remodeling consistent with tendon healing. <b>Conclusions:</b> <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> mapping is an effective tool for detecting tendon remodeling following PRP therapy. Structural improvements indicative of tissue healing were observed in cases of tendinosis, but not in partial tendon tears. These findings support the use of <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> mapping—particularly the <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> distribution profiling—as a quantitative biomarker for assessing treatment response to PRP.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/8/1049<i>T</i><sub>2</sub> mappingPRPsupraspinatus tendontendinosismagnetic resonance imaging
spellingShingle Karlo Pintarić
Andrej Vovk
Vladka Salapura
Žiga Snoj
Jernej Vidmar
Quantitative MRI Assessment of Supraspinatus Tendon Remodeling Following a Single Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Using <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> Mapping and Relaxation Time Profiling
Diagnostics
<i>T</i><sub>2</sub> mapping
PRP
supraspinatus tendon
tendinosis
magnetic resonance imaging
title Quantitative MRI Assessment of Supraspinatus Tendon Remodeling Following a Single Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Using <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> Mapping and Relaxation Time Profiling
title_full Quantitative MRI Assessment of Supraspinatus Tendon Remodeling Following a Single Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Using <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> Mapping and Relaxation Time Profiling
title_fullStr Quantitative MRI Assessment of Supraspinatus Tendon Remodeling Following a Single Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Using <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> Mapping and Relaxation Time Profiling
title_full_unstemmed Quantitative MRI Assessment of Supraspinatus Tendon Remodeling Following a Single Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Using <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> Mapping and Relaxation Time Profiling
title_short Quantitative MRI Assessment of Supraspinatus Tendon Remodeling Following a Single Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Using <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> Mapping and Relaxation Time Profiling
title_sort quantitative mri assessment of supraspinatus tendon remodeling following a single platelet rich plasma injection using i t i sub 2 sub mapping and relaxation time profiling
topic <i>T</i><sub>2</sub> mapping
PRP
supraspinatus tendon
tendinosis
magnetic resonance imaging
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/8/1049
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