Open AccessA novel diffusion‐tensor MRI approach for skeletal muscle fascicle length measurements
Author(s) -
Oudeman Jos,
Mazzoli Valentina,
Marra Marco A.,
Nicolay Klaas,
Maas Mario,
Verdonschot Nico,
Sprengers Andre M.,
Nederveen Aart J.,
Strijkers Gustav J.,
Froeling Martijn
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
physiological reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 39
ISSN - 2051-817X
DOI - 10.14814/phy2.13012
Subject(s) - fascicle , repeatability , diffusion mri , anatomy , segmentation , muscle architecture , biomedical engineering , medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , mathematics , computer science , radiology , statistics , artificial intelligence
Musculoskeletal (dys‐)function relies for a large part on muscle architecture which can be obtained using Diffusion‐Tensor MRI ( DT ‐ MRI ) and fiber tractography. However, reconstructed tracts often continue along the tendon or aponeurosis when using conventional methods, thus overestimating fascicle lengths. In this study, we propose a new method for semiautomatic segmentation of tendinous tissue using tract density ( TD ). We investigated the feasibility and repeatability of this method to quantify the mean fascicle length per muscle. Additionally, we examined whether the method facilitates measuring changes in fascicle length of lower leg muscles with different foot positions. Five healthy subjects underwent two DT‐MRI scans of the right lower leg, with the foot in 15° dorsiflexion, neutral, and 30° plantarflexion positions. Repeatability of fascicle length measurements was assessed using Bland–Altman analysis. Changes in fascicle lengths between the foot positions were tested using a repeated multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Bland–Altman analysis showed good agreement between repeated measurements. The coefficients of variation in neutral position were 8.3, 16.7, 11.2, and 10.4% for soleus (SOL), fibularis longus (FL), extensor digitorum longus (EDL), and tibialis anterior (TA), respectively. The plantarflexors (SOL and FL) showed significant increase in fascicle length from plantarflexion to dorsiflexion, whereas the dorsiflexors (EDL and TA) exhibited a significant decrease. The use of a tract density for semiautomatic segmentation of tendinous structures provides more accurate estimates of the mean fascicle length than traditional fiber tractography methods. The method shows moderate to good repeatability and allows for quantification of changes in fascicle lengths due to passive stretch.