Fast dual-echo ultrashort echo time (UTE) MRI to estimate long T2 fraction in tendons and detect age-and osteoporosis-related differences

Tendon and bone comprise a special interacting unit. Bone loss in osteoporosis (OPo) may associate with a reduction in tendon quality that needs to be investigated. We investigated the tendon quality differences between OPo patients, osteopenia (OPe) patients, and healthy volunteers with normal bone (Normal) using the Frac-LongT2 index, a rapid measure performed by dual-echo ultrashort echo time (UTE) MRI. The estimated Frac-LongT2 in the anterior and posterior tibialis tendon (ATT and PTT) were significantly higher in the OPo group compared with the Normal group. This study highlights the potential of this rapid UTE-based technique for in vivo tendon assessment.