Bone marrow perfusion evaluated with gadolinium-enhanced dynamic fast MR imaging in a dog model

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Bone marrow perfusion is critical for femoral head health.
• Avascular necrosis of the femoral head is a serious complication, particularly post-trauma.
• Noninvasive monitoring of bone marrow perfusion is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of gadolinium-enhanced dynamic MRI for monitoring proximal femur bone marrow perfusion.
• To evaluate the technique's ability to detect changes in perfusion after arterial embolization.
• To correlate MRI findings with direct blood flow measurements.

Main Methods:

• Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI was performed in a canine model.
• Sequential imaging was acquired after gadolinium contrast injection.
• Unilateral femoral artery embolization was performed to induce perfusion deficits.
• Radiolabeled microspheres were used for quantitative blood flow measurement.
• MRI enhancement was compared between embolized and control sides.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant differences in MRI enhancement were observed between embolized and control femurs post-embolization.
• Average peak enhancement in the femoral neck was significantly lower in embolized sides (31%) compared to control sides (83%).
• A high correlation (r = .81) was found between MRI data and microsphere blood flow measurements.

Conclusions:

• Contrast-enhanced fast MRI allows noninvasive monitoring of bone marrow perfusion in the proximal femur.
• The technique can detect perfusion abnormalities after arterial embolization.
• This MRI method may aid in early detection of avascular necrosis risk, especially in post-traumatic patients.