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Strain mapping using compressed sensing accelerated 4D flow MRI-Potential for detecting coactivation in thigh
Usha Sinha1, David Maldonado1, Vadim Malis2
1Physics, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States.
Frontiers in Physiology
|June 9, 2025
Summary
This study demonstrates compressed sensing accelerated 4D Flow MRI for thigh muscle strain mapping during isometric contraction. Hamstring coactivation was found to be significant, highlighting potential applications for knee injury and osteoarthritis assessment.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Radiology
- Musculoskeletal Imaging
Background:
- Knee extensor function decline impacts mobility and increases injury risk.
- Muscle coactivation, particularly hamstrings during knee extension, is crucial for coordinated movement.
- Assessing thigh muscle strain during contraction is vital for understanding biomechanics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a prototype compressed sensing accelerated 4D Flow (CS-4DFlow) MRI sequence for volumetric strain mapping of thigh muscles.
- To quantify muscle strain and coactivation during isometric knee extension.
- To explore the potential of this technique for clinical applications in knee conditions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a CS-4DFlow sequence with L1-regularized wavelet-based compressed sensing reconstruction.
- Acquired dynamic imaging at 30% and 45% Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC).
- Calculated strain tensors from velocity data and statistically analyzed strain indices across muscle groups and contraction levels.
Main Results:
- Observed transverse asymmetry of deformation in all thigh muscles during isometric contraction.
- Found significant differences in strain indices with %MVC in quadriceps but not hamstrings.
- Demonstrated significant differences in strain between quadriceps and hamstrings, with hamstring strain at approximately 50% of quadriceps strain, indicating substantial coactivation.
Conclusions:
- Established the feasibility of volumetric thigh muscle strain imaging using CS-4DFlow MRI.
- The technique enables evaluation of hamstring coactivation, relevant for conditions like osteoarthritis and ACL deficiency.
- This advanced MRI method offers potential for improved diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal disorders affecting knee function.
