Fig. 1

UTE imaging of the articular cartilage of the knee in a 24-year-old healthy volunteer. Two echos with varying TE were acquired. a First echo, obtained at a minimum TE (=60 μs), and b second echo, obtained at longer TE (=3.92 ms). The second echo image was then digitally subtracted (c) from the first one to suppress signal from the long T2 tissue components, improving visualisation of the deep layer of cartilage. UTE subtraction image shows distinct high-intensity linear signal near the osteochondral junction at the patella and trochlea (small arrows). Also note bright signal at the cortical margins (large arrows), extensor apparatus (arrowheads), and posterior cruciate ligament (*)