Volume 57, Issue 5 pp. 1414-1422

Research Article

Intersession Repeatability of Diffusion-Tensor Imaging in the Supraspinatus and the Infraspinatus Muscles of Volunteers

Cyril Tous PhD,

Cyril Tous PhD

orcid.org/0000-0003-2664-5272

Research Center, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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Alexandre Jodoin MD,

Alexandre Jodoin MD

Department of Radiology, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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Detlev Grabs MD, PhD,

Detlev Grabs MD, PhD

Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada

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Elijah Van Houten PhD,

Elijah Van Houten PhD

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

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Nathalie J. Bureau MD, MSc,

Corresponding Author

Nathalie J. Bureau MD, MSc

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0003-3710-9280

Research Center, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Department of Radiology, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Address reprint requests to: N.J.B., 1000 Rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, QC H2X 0C1, Canada.

E-mail: [email protected]

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Cyril Tous PhD,

Cyril Tous PhD

orcid.org/0000-0003-2664-5272

Research Center, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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Alexandre Jodoin MD,

Alexandre Jodoin MD

Department of Radiology, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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Detlev Grabs MD, PhD,

Detlev Grabs MD, PhD

Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada

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Elijah Van Houten PhD,

Elijah Van Houten PhD

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

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Nathalie J. Bureau MD, MSc,

Corresponding Author

Nathalie J. Bureau MD, MSc

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0003-3710-9280

Research Center, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Department of Radiology, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Address reprint requests to: N.J.B., 1000 Rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, QC H2X 0C1, Canada.

E-mail: [email protected]

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First published: 28 October 2022

https://doi.org/10.1002/jmri.28424

Citations: 3

Contract grant sponsor: This study has received funding from the Quebec Bio-Imaging Network (QBIN) (35450) awarded to Nathalie J. Bureau and Elijah Van Houten. Nathalie J. Bureau was supported by a research scholarship from the Fonds de Recherche du Québec – Santé (FRQ-S) and the Fondation de l'Association des Radiologistes du Québec (FRQS-ARQ 266408).

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Abstract

Background

Quantifying the rotator cuff (RC) muscles' viscoelasticity could provide outcome relevant information in patients with RC tears. MR-elastography requires robust diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) to account for tissue anisotropy in muscles stiffness computation.

Purpose

To assess the repeatability of DTI parameters in the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles and to explore DTI tractography conformity with the muscles' anatomy.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

Six healthy volunteers underwent three consecutive shoulder MRI sessions about 10 minutes apart.

Field Strength/Sequence

3T/T1-vibe Dixon and Spin echo EPI DTI (12 gradient encoding directions, b-values 500 and 800 sec/mm²).

Assessment

Supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles were segmented on the T1-vibe Dixon sequence. DTI image quality was assessed using a quantitative threshold based on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The eigenvalues ( $λ_{1}, λ_{2}, λ_{3}$ ), fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity were calculated. DTI tractography was visually assessed.

Statistical Tests

DTI parameters within-subject intersession repeatability was assessed with Bland–Altman analysis and the coefficient of variation (CV). Repeatability was considered good for CV < 10%.

Results

The SNR between diffusion-weighted and non-diffusion-weighted images was greater than 3, which aligns with standards for estimating DTI parameters. The FA showed the lowest mean bias (−0.007; 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.031 to 0.018) whereas the λ₁ had the highest mean bias (0.146 × 10⁻³ mm²/sec; CI −0.034 to 0.326 × 10⁻³ mm²/sec). CVs of the DTI parameters varied between 3.5% (FA) and 8.4% (λ₃) for the supraspinatus and between 3.2% (λ₁) and 6.8% (λ₃) for the infraspinatus. Tractography provided muscle fiber representations in three-dimensional space concordant with RC anatomy.

Data Conclusion

DTI of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles achieved an adequate SNR, allowing the measurement of the DTI metrics with good repeatability, and thus can be used for optimizing stiffness estimation in these anisotropic tissues.

Evidence Level

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2

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Citing Literature

Volume57, Issue5

May 2023

Pages 1414-1422

Intersession Repeatability of Diffusion-Tensor Imaging in the Supraspinatus and the Infraspinatus Muscles of Volunteers

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Study Type

Subjects

Field Strength/Sequence

Assessment

Statistical Tests

Results

Data Conclusion

Evidence Level

Technical Efficacy

References

Citing Literature

References

Information

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Intersession Repeatability of Diffusion-Tensor Imaging in the Supraspinatus and the Infraspinatus Muscles of Volunteers

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Study Type

Subjects

Field Strength/Sequence

Assessment

Statistical Tests

Results

Data Conclusion

Evidence Level

Technical Efficacy

References

Citing Literature

References

Related

Information