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Normal values and test-retest variability of stimulated-echo diffusion tensor imaging and fat fraction measurements in the muscle

Farrow, Matthew
; 
Grainger, A.J.
; 
Tan, A.L.
; 
Buch, M.H.
; 
Emery, P.
; 
Ridgway, J.P.
; 
Feiweier, T.
; 
Tanner, S.F.
; 
Biglands, J.
Publication Date
2019-09
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Keywords
Diffusion tensor imaging, DTI, Skeletal muscle, Myositis, Diabetes mellitus, Muscle injury, STEAM, Stimulated echo acquisition mode
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(c) 2019 The Authors.
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Peer-Reviewed
Yes
Open Access status
openAccess
Accepted for publication
30/06/2019
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Abstract
Objectives: To assess the test-retest variability of both diffusion parameters and fat fraction (FF) estimates in normal muscle, and to assess differences in normal values between muscles in the thigh. Methods: 29 healthy volunteers (mean age 37 years, range 20-60 years, 17/29 males) completed the study. Magnetic resonance images of the mid-thigh were acquired using a stimulated echo acquisition mode-echoplanar imaging (STEAM-EPI) imaging sequence, to assess diffusion, and 2-point Dixon imaging, to assess FF. Imaging was repeated in 19 participants after a 30 min interval in order to assess test-retest variability of the measurements. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for test-retest variability were 0.99 [95% confidence interval, (CI): 0.98, 1] for FF, 0.94 (95% CI: 0.84, 0.97) for mean diffusivity and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.74, 0.96) for fractional anisotropy (FA). FF was higher in the hamstrings than the quadriceps by a mean difference of 1.81% (95% CI:1.63, 2.00)%, p < 0.001. Mean diffusivity was significantly lower in the hamstrings than the quadriceps (0.26 (0.13, 0.39) x10-3 mm2s-1, p < 0.001) whereas fractional anisotropy was significantly higher in the hamstrings relative to the quadriceps with a mean difference of 0.063 (0.05, 0.07), p < 0.001. Conclusions: This study has shown excellent test-retest, variability in MR-based FF and diffusion measurements and demonstrated significant differences in these measures between hamstrings and quadriceps in the healthy thigh. Advances in knowledge: Test-retest variability is excellent for STEAM-EPI diffusion and 2-point Dixon-based FF measurements in the healthy muscle. Inter- and intraobserver variability were excellent for region of interest placement for STEAM-EPI diffusion and 2-point Dixon-based FF measurements in the healthy muscle. There are significant differences in FF and diffusion measurements between the hamstrings and quadriceps in the normal muscle.
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10454/18470
Version
Published version
Citation
Farrow M, Grainger AJ, Tan AL et al (2019) Normal values and test-retest variability of stimulated-echo diffusion tensor imaging and fat fraction measurements in the muscle. British Journal of Radiology. 92(1101): 20190143.
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https://doi.org/10.1259/bjr.20190143
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Article
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