Robust Assessment of Macromolecular Fraction (MMF) in Muscle with Differing Fat Fraction Using Ultrashort Echo Time (UTE) Magnetization Transfer Modeling with Measured T1

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely regarded as the most comprehensive imaging modality to assess skeletal muscle quality and quantity. Magnetization transfer (MT) imaging can be used to estimate the fraction of water and macromolecular proton pools, with the latter including the myofibrillar proteins and collagen, which are related to the muscle quality and its ability to generate force. MT modeling combined with ultrashort echo time (UTE-MT modeling) may improve the evaluation of the myotendinous junction and regions with fibrotic tissues in the skeletal muscles, which possess short T2 values and higher bound-water concentration. The fat present in muscle has always been a source of concern in macromolecular fraction (MMF) calculation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of fat fraction (FF) on the estimated MMF in bovine skeletal muscle phantoms embedded in pure fat. MMF was calculated for several regions of interest (ROIs) with differing FFs using UTE-MT modeling with and without T1 measurement and B1 correction. Calculated MMF using measured T1 showed a robust trend, particularly with a negligible error (<3%) for FF < 20%. Around 5% MMF reduction occurred for FF > 30%. However, MMF estimation using a constant T1 was robust only for regions with FF < 10%. The MTR and T1 values were also robust for only FF < 10%. This study highlights the potential of the UTE-MT modeling with accurate T1 measurement for robust muscle assessment while remaining insensitive to fat infiltration up to moderate levels.

Detecting Articular Cartilage and Meniscus Deformation Effects Using Magnetization Transfer Ultrashort Echo Time (MT-UTE) Modeling during Mechanical Load Application: Ex Vivo Feasibility Study

OBJECTIVE

Ultrashort echo time (UTE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences have improved imaging of short T2 musculoskeletal (MSK) tissues. UTE-MRI combined with magnetization transfer modeling (UTE-MT) has demonstrated robust assessment of MSK tissues. This study aimed to investigate the variation of UTE-MT measures under mechanical loading in tibiofemoral cartilage and meniscus of cadaveric knee joints.

DESIGN

Fourteen knee joints from young (n = 8, 42 ± 12 years old) and elderly (n = 6, 89 ± 4 years old) donors were scanned on a 3-T scanner under 3 loading conditions: load = 300 N (Load1), load = 500 N (Load2), and load = 0 N (Unload). UTE-MT sequences were performed at each loading condition. Macromolecular proton fraction (MMF) was calculated from UTE-MT modeling. Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to examine the MRI data differences between loading conditions.

RESULTS

For young donors, MMF increased in all grouped regions of interest (meniscus [M], femoral articular cartilage [FAC], tibial articular cartilage [TAC], articular cartilage regions covered by meniscus [AC-MC], and articular cartilage regions uncovered by meniscus [AC-UC]) when the load increased from 300 to 500 N. The increases in MMF were significant for M (13.3%, P < 0.01) and AC-MC (9.2%, P = 0.04). MMF decreased in all studied regions after unloading, which was significant only for AC-MC (-8.9%, P = 0.01). For elderly donors, MRI parameters did not show significant changes by loading or unloading.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the potential of the UTE-MT modeling combined with knee loading in differentiating between normal and abnormal knees. Average tissue deformation effects were likely higher and more uniformly distributed in the joints of young donors compared with elderly donors.

Ultrashort echo time adiabatic T1ρ (UTE-Adiab-T1ρ) is sensitive to human cadaveric knee joint deformation induced by mechanical loading and unloading

PURPOSE

The development of ultrashort echo time (UTE) MRI sequences has led to improved imaging of tissues with short T2 relaxation times, such as the deep layer cartilage and meniscus. UTE combined with adiabatic T1ρ preparation (UTE-Adiab-T1ρ) is an MRI measure with low sensitivity to the magic angle effect. This study aimed to investigate the sensitivity of UTE-Adiab-T1ρ to mechanical load-induced deformations in the tibiofemoral cartilage and meniscus of human cadaveric knee joints.

METHODS

Eight knee joints from young (42 ± 12 years at death) donors were evaluated on a 3 T scanner using the UTE-Adiab-T1ρ sequence under four sequential loading conditions: load = 0 N (Load0), load = 300 N (Load1), load = 500 N (Load2), and load = 0 N (Unload). UTE-Adiab-T1ρ was measured in the meniscus (M), femoral articular cartilage (FAC), tibial articular cartilage (TAC), articular cartilage regions uncovered by meniscus (AC-UC), and articular cartilage regions covered by meniscus (AC-MC) within region of interests (ROIs) manually selected by an experienced MR scientist. The Kruskal-Wallis test, with corrected significance level for multiple comparisons, was used to examine the UTE-Adiab-T1ρ differences between different loading conditions.

RESULTS

UTE-Adiab-T1ρ decreased in all grouped ROIs under both Load1 and Load2 conditions (-18.7% and - 16.9% for M, -18.8% and - 12.6% for FAC, -21.4% and - 10.7% for TAC, -26.2% and - 13.9% for AC-UC, and - 16.9% and - 10.7% for AC-MC). After unloading, average UTE-Adiab-T1ρ increased across all ROIs and within a lower range compared with the average UTE-Adiab-T1ρ decreases induced by the two previous loading conditions. The loading-induced differences were statistically non-significant.

CONCLUSIONS

While UTE-Adiab-T1ρ reduction by loading is likely an indication of tissue deformation, the increase of UTE-Adiab-T1ρ within a lower range by unloading implies partial tissue restoration. This study highlights the UTE-Adiab-T1ρ technique as an imaging marker of tissue function for detecting deformation patterns under loading.

Liver fat imaging-a clinical overview of ultrasound, CT, and MR imaging

Hepatic steatosis is a frequently encountered imaging finding that may indicate chronic liver disease, the most common of which is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is implicated in the development of systemic diseases and its progressive phenotype, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, leads to increased liver-specific morbidity and mortality. With the rising obesity epidemic and advent of novel therapeutics aimed at altering metabolism, there is a growing need to quantify and monitor liver steatosis. Imaging methods for assessing steatosis range from simple and qualitative to complex and highly accurate metrics. Ultrasound may be appropriate in some clinical instances as a screening modality to identify the presence of abnormal liver morphology. However, it lacks sufficient specificity and sensitivity to constitute a diagnostic modality for instigating and monitoring therapy. Newer ultrasound techniques such as quantitative ultrasound show promise in turning qualitative assessment of steatosis on conventional ultrasound into quantitative measurements. Conventional unenhanced CT is capable of detecting and quantifying moderate to severe steatosis but is inaccurate at diagnosing mild steatosis and involves the use of radiation. Newer CT techniques, like dual energy CT, show potential in expanding the role of CT in quantifying steatosis. MRI proton-density fat fraction is currently the most accurate and precise imaging biomarker to quantify liver steatosis. As such, proton-density fat fraction is the most appropriate noninvasive end point for steatosis reduction in clinical trials and therapy response assessment.

Repeatability and reproducibility of 2D and 3D hepatic MR elastography with rigid and flexible drivers at end-expiration and end-inspiration in healthy volunteers

PURPOSE

To evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of 2D and 3D hepatic MRE with rigid and flexible drivers at end-expiration and end-inspiration in healthy volunteers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nine healthy volunteers underwent two same-day MRE exams separated by a 5- to 10-min break. In each exam, 2D and 3D MRE scans were performed, each under four conditions (2 driver types [rigid, flexible] × 2 breath-hold phases [end-expiration, end-inspiration]). Repeatability (measurements under identical conditions) and reproducibility (measurements under different conditions) were analyzed by calculating bias, limit of agreement, repeatability coefficient (RC), reproducibility coefficient (RDC), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), as appropriate.

RESULTS

For 2D MRE, RCs and ICCs range between 0.29-0.49 and 0.71-0.91, respectively. For 3D MRE, RCs and ICCs range between 0.16-0.26 and 0.84-0.96, respectively. Stiffness values were biased by breath-hold phase, being higher at end-inspiration than end-expiration, and the differences were significant for 3D MRE (p < 0.01). No bias was found between driver types. Inspiration vs. expiration RDCs and CCCs ranged between 0.30-0.54 and 0.61-0.72, respectively. Rigid vs. flexible driver RDCs and CCCs ranged between 0.10-0.44 and 0.79-0.94, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This preliminary study suggests that 2D MRE and 3D MRE under most conditions potentially have good repeatability. Our result also points to the possibility that stiffness measured with the rigid and flexible drivers is reproducible. Reproducibility between breath-hold phases was modest, suggesting breath-hold phase might be a confounding factor in MRE-based stiffness measurement. However, larger studies are required to validate these preliminary results.

Ultrashort echo time T2∗ values decrease in tendons with application of static tensile loads

In early stages of tendon disease, mechanical properties may become altered prior to changes in morphological anatomy. Ultrashort echo time (UTE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to directly detect signal from tissues with very short T2 values, including unique viscoelastic tissues such as tendons. The purpose of this study was to use UTE sequences to measure T2^∗, T1 and magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) variations of tendon samples under static tensile loads. Six human peroneal tendons were imaged before and under static loading using UTE sequences on a clinical 3T MRI scanner. Tendons were divided into two static tensile loading groups: group A that underwent one-step loading (15N) and group B that underwent two-step loading (15 and 30N). The T2^∗, T1 and MTR variations were investigated in two selected section regions of interest (ROIs), including whole and core sections. Mean T2^∗ values for the first step of loading (groups A and B) in both whole section and core section ROIs were significantly decreased by 13±7% (P=0.028) and 16±5% (P=0.017), respectively. For the second loading step (group B), there was a consistent, but non-significant reduction in T2^∗ value by 9±2% (P=0.059) and 7±5% (P=0.121) for whole and core sections, respectively. Mean T1 did not show any consistent changes for either loading steps (P>0.05). Mean MTR increased slightly, but not significantly for both loading steps (P>0.05). Significant differences were found only in T2^∗ values of tendons by static tensile load application. Therefore, T2^∗ monitoring during loading is suggested for quantitative investigation of the tendons biomechanics.

Novel 3D Magnetic Resonance Elastography for the Noninvasive Diagnosis of Advanced Fibrosis in NAFLD: A Prospective Study

OBJECTIVES

Recent studies show two-dimensional (2D)-magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is accurate in diagnosing advanced fibrosis (stages 3 and 4) in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. Three-dimensional (3D)-MRE is a more advanced version of the technology that can image shear-wave fields in 3D of the entire liver. The aim of this study was to prospectively compare the diagnostic accuracy of 3D-MRE and 2D-MRE for diagnosing advanced fibrosis in patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD.

METHODS

This cross-sectional analysis of a prospective study included 100 consecutive patients (56% women) with biopsy-proven NAFLD who also underwent MRE. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) analysis was performed to assess the accuracy of 2D- and 3D-MRE in diagnosing advanced fibrosis.

RESULTS

The mean (±s.d.) of age and body mass index were 50.2 (±13.6) years and 32.1 (±5.0) kg/m(2), respectively. The AUROC for diagnosing advanced fibrosis was 0.981 for 3D-MRE at 40 Hz, 0.927 for 3D-MRE at 60 Hz (standard shear-wave frequency), and 0.921 for 2D-MRE at 60 Hz (standard shear-wave frequency). At a threshold of 2.43 kPa, 3D-MRE at 40 Hz had sensitivity 1.0, specificity 0.94, positive predictive value 0.72, and negative predictive value 1.0 for diagnosing advanced fibrosis. 3D-MRE at 40 Hz had significantly higher AUROC (P<0.05) than 2D-MRE at 60 Hz for diagnosing advanced fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Utilizing a prospective study design, we demonstrate that 3D MRE at 40 Hz has the highest diagnostic accuracy in diagnosing NAFLD advanced fibrosis. Both 2D- and 3D-MRE at 60 Hz, the standard shear-wave frequency, are also highly accurate in diagnosing NAFLD advanced fibrosis.

Effects of fasting, intermittent feeding, or continuous parenteral nutrition on rat liver and brain energy metabolism as assessed by 31P-NMR

We wanted to determine what happens to brain PCr and ATP relative to that in liver during a series of dietary manipulation consisting of a severe fast, during eating (when nutrients are intermittently supplied), and during and after PN-100, when an excess amount of nutrients are continuously supplied, using 31P-NMR spectroscopy, in rats randomized to a Fast or Fed group in which energy was provided either as chow or as PN-100. Liver ATP concentration, and brain and liver 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectras were measured serially. Brain energy metabolism was not different between groups and among days. In contrast, Fasted group showed increased liver ATP/Pi ratio and decreased ATP concentration and ATP/phosphomonoester ratio, there being no difference between Fed and PN-100 groups. Data suggest that brain energy metabolism is maintained regardless of whether energy is supplied intermittently or continuously, and during a negative caloric intake period, brain energy metabolism is quantitatively preserved, suggesting that ATP production by liver is subservient to brain ATP state.

Effect of warm and cold applications on the resolution of i.v. infiltrations

Differences in pain intensity, surface area measurements of induration and erythema, and interstitial fluid volume when warm versus cold applications were randomly made to an intentional intravenous infiltrate of 5 mL of a designated solution were examined. Three solutions were used: 1/2 saline (154 mOsm), normal saline (308 mOsm), and 3% saline (1027 mOsm). Differences in volume were determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at three intervals postinfiltration. The sample was 18 healthy adults between 20 and 45 years. There was no difference in remaining infiltrate when 1/2 saline or normal saline were used, but a significant (p < .001) difference was found with 3% saline. For all solutions there was a significant (p < .001) difference in the volume of infiltrate remaining when warmth was applied and this effect held across MRI readings and solutions. Pain intensity did not differ by treatment but a significant (p < .005) difference was found by solution, with 3% saline producing the greatest difference. Erythema was absent with all solutions. Surface induration was affected by solution and decreased over time (p = .001). There was no effect of warmth or cold on surface area induration.