Association between subcutaneous fat & abnormal MR signal at the knee
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Association between volume of subcutaneous fat and abnormal MR signal changes around the knee (MICRON)
IRAS ID
181728
Contact name
Andoni Toms
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research & Development Office
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 30 days
Research summary
The study team have made an anecdotal observation that patients who present with a combination of chronic knee pain, and an increased depth of local subcutaneous fat, exhibit abnormal signal changes in the fat under their skin on MRI scans. Those with less subcutaneous fat do not appear to exhibit the same changes.
It is well-established that in obesity subcutaneous fat under goes fibrotic change because of chronic inflammatory processes. Fibrosis of the subcutaneous fat makes it less elastic and less pliable. Acute injuries to fat are well known and their imaging characteristic understood. An acute shearing injury to subcutaneous fat is known as a Morel-Lavalle lesion. Our hypothesis is that the signal changes that we see on MRI scans in patients who are overweight may be due to chronic low-grade shearing injuries that occur as the fat becomes less pliable.
These chronic changes may be a source of pain that has not previously been identified.
Our aim is to perform a retrospective case-control study using cases from the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital PACS image archive. The aim is to see if we can demonstrate a statistical difference between the extent of subcutaneous fat in individuals displaying MRI signal changes around the knee, compared to those who do not. The second aim would then be to characterise the location of signal changes in those who demonstrate them. A total population of 32 MR examinations would be required to complete the study.
No patients would be required to be recruited to this study. There would be no intervention in the patients’ treatment. The study team consider this to be a low risk study.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0486
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jun 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion