Abstract | OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate skeletal muscle denervation using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWMRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sciatic nerve axotomy was performed in a group of nine New Zealand White rabbits, and electromyographic (EMG), pathological, and DWMRI studies were conducted on ipsilateral hamstring muscles 1 and 8 days after axotomy. In addition, DWMRI studies were carried out on leg muscles of ten patients with acute and subacute lumbosacral radiculopathy. RESULTS: High intensity signals on short tau inversion recovery (STIR) magnetic resonance imaging and an increased apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were observed in denervated muscles of the animals 1 and 8 days after axotomy as well as in denervated muscles of the patients with radiculopathy. In the clinical study, ADC was 1.26 +/- 0.18 x 10(-9) m(2)/s in normal muscle and increased to 1.56 +/- 0.23 x 10(-9) m(2)/s in denervated muscles (p = 0.0016). In animals, EMG and muscle pathological studies were normal 1 day after axotomy, and the muscles demonstrated spontaneous activity on EMG and neurogenic atrophy on histological studies 7 days later. CONCLUSION: This DWMRI study demonstrates that enlargement of extracellular fluid space in muscle denervation is an early phenomenon occurring several days before the appearance of EMG and histological abnormalities.
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Authors | Nathalie Holl, Andoni Echaniz-Laguna, Guillaume Bierry, Michel Mohr, Jean-Philippe Loeffler, Thomas Moser, Jean-Louis Dietemann, Stéphane Kremer |
Journal | Skeletal radiology
(Skeletal Radiol)
Vol. 37
Issue 12
Pg. 1111-7
(Dec 2008)
ISSN: 0364-2348 [Print] Germany |
PMID | 18682930
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Contrast Media
- Organometallic Compounds
- Meglumine
- gadoterate meglumine
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Topics |
- Adult
- Animals
- Biopsy
- Contrast Media
- Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(methods)
- Electromyography
(methods)
- Extracellular Fluid
- Female
- Humans
- Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
- Leg
(innervation)
- Lumbosacral Region
(pathology)
- Male
- Meglumine
- Middle Aged
- Models, Animal
- Muscle Denervation
- Muscle, Skeletal
(innervation, pathology)
- Observer Variation
- Organometallic Compounds
- Rabbits
- Radiculopathy
(pathology)
- Sciatic Nerve
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