Diffusion tensor imaging of extraocular muscle using two-dimensional single-shot interleaved multiple inner volume...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neurology
• Radiology

Background:

• Extraocular muscles (EOMs) have unique physiological characteristics.
• Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a valuable tool for evaluating tissue microstructure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of DTI for evaluating medial and lateral rectus EOMs.
• To establish normal DTI parameters for medial and lateral rectus EOMs.
• To compare EOM DTI parameters with those of other skeletal muscles.

Main Methods:

• Orbital DTI scans were performed on seven multiple sclerosis patients and five healthy subjects using 2D-ss-IMVI-DWEPI.
• Mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were measured in medial and lateral rectus EOMs and temporalis muscles.
• Student t-tests were used for statistical comparisons.

Main Results:

• EOMs exhibited significantly lower MD and higher FA compared to temporalis muscle (P < 0.001).
• Medial rectus EOMs showed significantly lower MD than lateral rectus EOMs (P = 0.001).
• No significant difference in FA was observed between medial and lateral rectus EOMs (P > 0.05).

Conclusions:

• DTI is feasible for evaluating medial and lateral rectus EOMs.
• Lower MD and higher FA in EOMs correlate with their unique structural and functional properties.
• DTI parameters provide insights into EOM characteristics distinct from other skeletal muscles.