Prospective longitudinal cohort study of quantitative muscle magnetic resonance imaging in a healthy control population

<p>Quantitative muscle magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) is a valuable method for assessing muscle injuries and neuromuscular disorders. In particular, muscle diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) provides insights into the microstructural and macrostructural characteristics of muscles. However, the long-term reproducibility and robustness of these measurements remain relatively unexplored. The purpose of this prospective longitudinal cohort study was to assess the long-term robustness and range of variation of qMRI parameters—particularly DTI metrics—in the lower extremity muscles of healthy controls under real-world conditions. Twelve volunteers (seven females, age 44.1 ± 12.1 years, body mass index 23.3 ± 2.0 kg/m²) underwent five MRI sessions of the leg muscles every 20 ± 4 weeks over a total period of 1.5 years. A multiecho gradient-echo Dixon-based sequence, a multiecho spin-echo T2-mapping sequence, and a spin-echo echo-planar imaging diffusion-weighted sequence were acquired bilaterally using a Philips 3-T Achieva MR System with a 16-channel torso coil. Fifteen leg muscles were segmented in both lower extremities. qMRI parameters, including fat fraction (FF), water T2 relaxation time, and the diffusion metrics fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD), were evaluated. Coefficients of variance (wsCV) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to assess the reproducibility of qMRI parameters. The standard error of measurement (SEM) and the minimal detectable change (MDC) were calculated to determine the range of variation. All tests were applied to all muscles and, subsequently, to each muscle separately. wsCV showed good reproducibility (≤ 10%) for all qMRI parameters in all muscles. The ICCs revealed excellent agreement between time points (FF = 0.980, water T2 = 0.941, FA = 0.952, MD = 0.948). Random measurement errors, as assessed by SEM and the MDC, were low (< 12%). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that qMRI parameters in healthy volunteers leading normal lives remain stable over 18 months, thereby establishing a benchmark for the expected range of variation over time.</p>

DOI 10.1002/nbm.5214