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Updated: Oct 11, 2025
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Spinal Cord Compression
Published on: May 7, 2019
Increased muscle fiber fractional anisotropy value using diffusion tensor imaging after compression without fiber
Takumi Yokohama1, Motoyuki Iwasaki2, Daisuke Oura1,3
1Department of Radiology, Otaru General Hospital, Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan.
Background:
Recent studies have indicated that injuries such as muscle tears modify the microstructural integrity of muscle, leading to substantial alterations in measured diffusion parameters. Therefore, the fractional anisotropy (FA) value decreases. However, we hypothesized that soft tissue, such as muscle tissue, undergoes reversible changes under conditions of compression without fiber injury.
Purpose:
To evaluate the FA change due to compression in muscle tissue without fiber injury.
Material And Methods:
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed on both feet of 10 healthy volunteers (mean age = 35.0 ± 10.39 years; age range = 23-52 years) using a 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner with an eight-channel phased array knee coil. An MRI-compatible sphygmomanometer was applied to the individuals' lower legs and individuals were placed in a compressed state. Then, rest intervals of 5 min were set in re-rest state after compression. The FA value, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and eigenvalues (λ1, λ2, λ3) of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscle were measured at each state.
Results:
The mean FA values increased in all muscles in a compressed state, while the mean λ3 decreased. In all muscles, significant differences were found between the rest and compressed states in terms of mean FA and λ3 (P < 0.0001).
Conclusion:
We confirmed the reversibility of the DTI metrics, which suggests that there was no muscle injury during this study. In cases of compression without fiber injury, the FA value increases, because fibers are strongly aligned in the longitudinal direction.
