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Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Skeletal Muscle Disease
Published on: December 18, 2016
Correlation between pennation angle and image quality of skeletal muscle fibre tractography using deterministic
Yoshikazu Okamoto1, Toru Okamoto, Kujiraoka Yuka
1Department of Radiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan. yokamoto@md.tsukuba.ac.jp
Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology
|December 6, 2012
Summary
A larger, more variable muscle pennation angle negatively impacts skeletal muscle tractography using deterministic diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). This finding is crucial for understanding imaging limitations in lower leg muscles.
Area of Science:
- Musculoskeletal imaging
- Biomedical engineering
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Deterministic diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is used to visualize muscle fiber orientation.
- Muscle pennation angle, the angle between muscle fibers and aponeurosis, can influence imaging outcomes.
- Understanding factors affecting tractography quality is essential for accurate anatomical assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between muscle pennation angle and successful lower leg muscle tractography using DTI.
- To determine if average pennation angle (AVPA) and standard deviation of pennation angle (SDPA) affect fiber density calculations.
Main Methods:
- Fourteen healthy volunteers (aged 20-39) underwent DTI scans.
- Six fiber tractographs were created per volunteer, calculating 'fiber density'.
- Ultrasonography measured AVPA and SDPA in the same region as MRI scans.
Main Results:
- A moderate negative correlation (R = -0.72) was found between fiber density and AVPA.
- A weak negative correlation (R = -0.47) was observed between fiber density and SDPA.
- The gastrocnemius lateralis muscle showed a moderate negative correlation (R = -0.57) between AVPA and fiber density.
Conclusions:
- Increased muscle pennation angle variability and size are associated with poorer skeletal muscle tractography quality.
- These findings highlight the challenges DTI faces in visualizing muscle fibers with complex pennation characteristics.
- The study provides insights into the limitations of DTI for lower leg muscle analysis.
