Figure 8b. DEFT imaging of articular cartilage. (a) Sagittal 3D DEFT image shows a fissure in the patellofemoral cartilage (arrow). (b) Sagittal two-dimensional fast SE image shows the fissure (arrow) with lower cartilage signal. (c) Sagittal 3D DEFT image shows full-thickness cartilage loss in the medial femoral condyle (arrow). (d) Sagittal two-dimensional fast SE image shows the cartilage loss (arrow). DEFT imaging produces bright synovial fluid while maintaining cartilage signal; thus, the remaining cartilage is distinguished from the subchondral bone with DEFT imaging but not with fast SE imaging. (Courtesy of Samuel Fuller, MD, Stanford University, Stanford, Calif.)