# Hip Chondromics: Comprehensive Cartilage Characterization with MR Fingerprinting

> **NIH NIH R01** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2021 · $561,901

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Hip Chondromics: comprehensive cartilage characterization with MR fingerprinting
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a pathologic condition in which structural abnormalities of the femoral
head-neck junction and/or acetabulum lead to a mechanical blockage in the hip joint that compromises the
terminal range of motion. If the impingement is left untreated, it can cause cartilage damage and lead to hip
osteoarthritis. The goal of this project is to demonstrate the utility of multi-parametric quantitative magnetic
resonance (MR) imaging for the clinical management of FAI and to develop the technology necessary to
translate it into clinical routine. We will conduct a longitudinal study using intraoperative cartilage assessment
and clinical outcome measures to show, for the first time, that a combination of dGEMRIC (i.e., cartilage T1
mapping in the presence of gadolinium contrast agent) and T2 mapping can identify prognostic factors
associated with successful FAI arthroscopy and improve surgical patient selection. Concurrently, we will
develop a method to map multiple MR parameters simultaneously in one single scan and enable
comprehensive morphologic and biochemical characterization of the hip cartilage without exogenous contrast
agents (i.e., “Hip Chondromics”). This new technique will employ concepts from magnetic resonance
fingerprinting (MRF) to create B1 insensitive 3D multi-parametric maps with isotropic resolution in clinically
feasible scan time. In particular, we will develop a new strategy to simultaneously quantify T1, T2 and
magnetization transfer (MT) rate using MR fingerprints, since the combination of these three parameters has
demonstrated a strong correlation (r2 > 0.8) with direct measurements of cartilage biochemical components. To
facilitate clinical translation of quantitative MR parameters in FAI, we will also develop and disseminate new
software tools for automated segmentation of the hip cartilage, extraction of relevant diagnostic measures and
optimized data visualization. Our technique will enable accurate preoperative assessment of articular cartilage
damage, predict risk for progression, identify patients who will benefit from arthroscopy, and monitor the
effectiveness of joint preserving surgeries, as well as cartilage repair procedures, in preventing hip
osteoarthritis. Successful completion of this project will provide a new classification system for articular
cartilage lesions in the hip, based on quantitative MR imaging, which is intrinsically more sensitive to early
cartilage damage than standard X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging. Our proposed MRF technique will
enable in vivo rapid volumetric multi-parametric mapping that could also have an impact for quantitative
imaging in other anatomical structures such as, for example, the brain.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10201516
- **Project number:** 5R01AR070297-05
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Riccardo Lattanzi
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $561,901
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-09-15 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10201516

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10201516, Hip Chondromics: Comprehensive Cartilage Characterization with MR Fingerprinting (5R01AR070297-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10201516. Licensed CC0.

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