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Raya JG, Duarte A, Wang N, Mazzoli V, Jaramillo D, Blamire AM, Dietrich O. Applications of Diffusion-Weighted MRI to the Musculoskeletal System. J Magn Reson Imaging 2024; 59:376-396. [PMID: 37477576 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.28870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is an established MRI technique that can investigate tissue microstructure at the scale of a few micrometers. Musculoskeletal tissues typically have a highly ordered structure to fulfill their functions and therefore represent an optimal application of DWI. Even more since disruption of tissue organization affects its biomechanical properties and may indicate irreversible damage. The application of DWI to the musculoskeletal system faces application-specific challenges on data acquisition including susceptibility effects, the low T2 relaxation time of most musculoskeletal tissues (2-70 msec) and the need for sub-millimetric resolution. Thus, musculoskeletal applications have been an area of development of new DWI methods. In this review, we provide an overview of the technical aspects of DWI acquisition including diffusion-weighting, MRI pulse sequences and different diffusion regimes to study tissue microstructure. For each tissue type (growth plate, articular cartilage, muscle, bone marrow, intervertebral discs, ligaments, tendons, menisci, and synovium), the rationale for the use of DWI and clinical studies in support of its use as a biomarker are presented. The review describes studies showing that DTI of the growth plate has predictive value for child growth and that DTI of articular cartilage has potential to predict the radiographic progression of joint damage in early stages of osteoarthritis. DTI has been used extensively in skeletal muscle where it has shown potential to detect microstructural and functional changes in a wide range of muscle pathologies. DWI of bone marrow showed to be a valuable tool for the diagnosis of benign and malignant acute vertebral fractures and bone metastases. DTI and diffusion kurtosis have been investigated as markers of early intervertebral disc degeneration and lower back pain. Finally, promising new applications of DTI to anterior cruciate ligament grafts and synovium are presented. The review ends with an overview of the use of DWI in clinical routine. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 5 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- José G Raya
- Department of Radiology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alejandra Duarte
- Division of Musculoskeletal Radiology, Department of Radiology, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Nian Wang
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Valentina Mazzoli
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Diego Jaramillo
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andrew M Blamire
- Magnetic Resonance Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Olaf Dietrich
- Department of Radiology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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Kim Y, Lee SK, Kim JY, Kim JH. Pitfalls of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging: Clinical Utility of T2 Shine-through and T2 Black-out for Musculoskeletal Diseases. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13091647. [PMID: 37175036 PMCID: PMC10177815 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13091647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value is a relatively new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence that provides functional information on the lesion by measuring the microscopic movement of water molecules. While numerous studies have evaluated the promising role of DWI in musculoskeletal radiology, most have focused on tumorous diseases related to cellularity. This review article aims to summarize DWI-acquisition techniques, considering pitfalls such as T2 shine-through and T2 black-out, and their usefulness in interpreting musculoskeletal diseases with imaging. DWI is based on the Brownian motion of water molecules within the tissue, achieved by applying diffusion-sensitizing gradients. Regardless of the cellularity of the lesion, several pitfalls must be considered when interpreting DWI with ADC values in musculoskeletal radiology. This review discusses the application of DWI in musculoskeletal diseases, including tumor and tumor mimickers, as well as non-tumorous diseases, with a focus on lesions demonstrating T2 shine-through and T2 black-out effects. Understanding these pitfalls of DWI can provide clinically useful information, increase diagnostic accuracy, and improve patient management when added to conventional MRI in musculoskeletal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Kim
- Department of Radiology, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Seul Ki Lee
- Department of Radiology, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Jee-Young Kim
- Department of Radiology, St. Vincent's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Ho Kim
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Center for Joint Diseases, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, Seoul 05278, Republic of Korea
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Huch B, Stumpf K, Bracher AK, Rasche V, Vogele D, Schütz C, Janda A, Beer M, Neubauer H. Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MRI in pediatric patients with synovitis of the knee joint: a prospective pilot study. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2022; 20:99. [PMID: 36384772 PMCID: PMC9670529 DOI: 10.1186/s12969-022-00756-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diagnosing synovial inflammation by administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents is limited by invasiveness and possible side effects, especially in children and adolescents. PURPOSE We investigated diagnostic accuracy of diffusion-weighted (DWI) MRI with intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging compared to contrast-enhanced MRI for detecting synovitis of the knee in a population of pediatrics and young adults. In addition we compared quantitative measures of synovial diffusion and perfusion to a group of healthy volunteers. METHODS In this prospective study, 8 pediatric patients with 10 symptomatic knees (6 girls and 2 boys, mean age 13 years) with known or suspected synovitis underwent pre- and post-contrast 3.0 T MRI of the knee joint and additional DWI sequences between October 2016 and July 2019. For comparison we enrolled 5 healthy young adults (2 women and 3 men, median age 27 years) with contrast-free MRI of both knees. Post-contrast T1w images and DWI images at b = 1000s/mm2 with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps of patients were separately rated by two independent and blinded readers with different levels of experience for the presence or absence and degree of synovitis along with the level of confidence. We measured signal intensity on DWI of synovium, joint effusion and muscle with regions of interests and calculated the IVIM-parameters tissue diffusion coefficient (D) and perfusion fraction (f) for patients and volunteers. RESULTS All patients showed at least some synovial contrast enhancement, 8 (80%) children knees were diagnosed with synovitis on contrast-enhanced (= ce)-T1w, the diagnostic standard. Ratings by the first and second reader on ce-T1w and DWI showed full agreement (kappa = 1) in diagnosing synovitis and substantial agreement (k = 0,655) for the degree of synovial enhancement. Interobserver agreement on DWI showed fair agreement (k = 0,220) between both readers. Diagnostic confidence was lower on DWI. Mean D- and f-values of muscle was comparable between patients and volunteers. Effusion mean D was higher, mean f was lower, synovial mean D was lower, mean f higher in patients than in volunteers. All differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Diffusion-weighted MRI with IVIM imaging remains a promising, though reader-dependent alternative to i.v. contrast-enhanced imaging in pediatric patients to reliably diagnose, or rule out, synovitis of the knee joint. We detected significantly restricted synovial diffusion and increased perfusion in patients compared to healthy volunteers. TRIAL REGISTRATION Ethical Comitee University Hospital Ulm, Nr. 320/16.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta Huch
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Kilian Stumpf
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XDepartment of Internal Medicine II, Experimental Cardiovascular Imaging, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Anna-Katinka Bracher
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Volker Rasche
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XDepartment of Internal Medicine II, Experimental Cardiovascular Imaging, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Daniel Vogele
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Catharina Schütz
- grid.4488.00000 0001 2111 7257Department of Pediatrics, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Aleš Janda
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XDepartment of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, Eythstrasse 24, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | - Meinrad Beer
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Henning Neubauer
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 23, 89081 Ulm, Germany ,SRH Clinic of Radiology, Albert-Schweitzer-Strasse 2, 98527 Suhl, Germany
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Evaluation of Synovitis of Hand in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Diffusion Kurtosis Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Initial Findings. J Comput Assist Tomogr 2021; 45:557-563. [PMID: 34176880 DOI: 10.1097/rct.0000000000001176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the role of diffusion kurtosis magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the noninvasive identification of synovitis in hand arthritis. METHODS A total of 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 10 patients suspected of RA were enrolled in the prospective study. A 3.0-T MR imaging including the diffusion kurtosis MR imaging sequence (b = 0, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000 s·mm2) was performed. A total of 210 regions of interest were confirmed and diffusion kurtosis MR imaging parameters were generated. The suspected synovitis or effusion was scored on a scale of 0 (effusion) to 3 (mild, moderate, severe synovitis), according to RA-MR imaging scoring system. The performance of diffusion kurtosis MR imaging parameters (the apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC], diffusion coefficient [D], and kurtosis [K]) in distinguishing different synovitis scores was evaluated. RESULTS There were significant differences in ADC, D, and K values among different synovitis scores (all P < 0.001). Synovitis scores were negatively correlated with the ADC and D values significantly (r = -0.725, -0.757, respectively, all P < 0.001), but positively correlated with the K values significantly (r = 0.429, P < 0.001). The area under the curve values of D, ADC, and K values were 0.884, 0.874, and 0.728 for differentiating score 1-3 from score 0, respectively. Diffusion coefficient and ADC had similar diagnostic performance, and both were higher than K in detecting synovitis. No significant difference was found between the ADC and D values in detecting synovitis. CONCLUSIONS The diffusion kurtosis MR imaging may be feasible as a noninvasive method for the diagnosis and grading of synovitis in the hands of RA patients, and the D and ADC values showed similar diagnostic performance, both of which were higher than K values.
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Bennett JL, Wood A, Smith N, Mistry R, Allen K, Jandial S, Tuckett JD, Gowdy SC, Foster HE, McErlane F, Hollingsworth KG. Can quantitative MRI be used in the clinical setting to quantify the impact of intra-articular glucocorticoid injection on synovial disease activity in juvenile idiopathic arthritis? Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2019; 17:74. [PMID: 31752877 PMCID: PMC6873560 DOI: 10.1186/s12969-019-0377-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), the most common chronic rheumatic disease of childhood, is characterised by synovitis. Clinical assessments of synovitis are imperfect, relying on composite and indirect measures of disease activity including clinician-reported measures, patient-reported measures and blood markers. Contrast-enhanced MRI is a more sensitive synovitis assessment technique but clinical utility is currently limited by availability and inter-observer variation. Improved quantitative MRI techniques may enable future development of more stringent MRI-defined remission criteria. The objective of this study was to determine the utility and feasibility of quantitative MRI measurement of synovial volume and vascularity in JIA before and twelve weeks after intra-articular glucocorticoid injection (IAGI) of the knee and to assess the acceptability of MRI to participating families. METHODS Children and young people with JIA and a new episode of knee synovitis requiring IAGI were recruited from the Great North Children's Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne. Quantitative contrast-enhanced MRI was performed prior to and twelve weeks after IAGI, in addition to standard clinical assessment tools, including the three-variable clinical juvenile arthritis disease activity score (cJADAS) and active joint count. RESULTS Eleven young people (5 male, median age 13 years, range 7-16) with JIA knee flare were recruited and 10 completed follow-up assessment. Following IAGI, the median (interquartile range) cJADAS improved from 8.5 (2.7) to 1.6 (3.9), whilst the median synovial volume improved from 38.5cm3 (82.1cm3) to 0.0cm3 (0.2cm3). Six patients presented with frank synovitis outside normal limits on routine MRI reporting. A further three had baseline MRI reports within normal limits but the quantitative measurements identified measurable synovial uptake. Post-IAGI quantitative measurements highlighted significant improvements in 9 patients. CONCLUSIONS IAGI led to a marked reduction in synovial volume, with quantitative MRI identifying more patients with an improved synovial volume than routine qualitative clinical reporting. Improvements in cJADAS scores were more variable with the patient/parent global assessment component contributing most to the scores. Further work is indicated, exploring the utility of quantitative MRI in the assessment of less accessible joints and comparing the impact of different treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua L. Bennett
- 0000 0004 0444 2244grid.420004.2Paediatric Rheumatology, Great North Children’s Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Amanda Wood
- 0000 0004 0444 2244grid.420004.2Paediatric Rheumatology, Great North Children’s Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Nicola Smith
- 0000 0001 0462 7212grid.1006.7Musculoskeletal Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Ravi Mistry
- 0000 0004 0444 2244grid.420004.2Paediatrics, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Karen Allen
- 0000 0004 0444 2244grid.420004.2Paediatric Rheumatology, Great North Children’s Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Sharmila Jandial
- 0000 0004 0444 2244grid.420004.2Paediatric Rheumatology, Great North Children’s Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - John D. Tuckett
- 0000 0004 0444 2244grid.420004.2Radiology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - S. Claire Gowdy
- 0000 0001 0684 7788grid.414137.4Paediatric Radiology, British Columbia Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Helen E. Foster
- 0000 0004 0444 2244grid.420004.2Paediatric Rheumatology, Great North Children’s Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK ,0000 0001 0462 7212grid.1006.7Musculoskeletal Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Flora McErlane
- 0000 0004 0444 2244grid.420004.2Paediatric Rheumatology, Great North Children’s Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK ,0000 0001 0462 7212grid.1006.7Musculoskeletal Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Kieren G. Hollingsworth
- 0000 0001 0462 7212grid.1006.7Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Emerging quantitative MR imaging biomarkers in inflammatory arthritides. Eur J Radiol 2019; 121:108707. [PMID: 31707169 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2019.108707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 09/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To review quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) methods for imaging inflammation in connective tissues and the skeleton in inflammatory arthritis. This review is designed for a broad audience including radiologists, imaging technologists, rheumatologists and other healthcare professionals. METHODS We discuss the use of qMRI for imaging skeletal inflammation from both technical and clinical perspectives. We consider how qMRI can be targeted to specific aspects of the pathological process in synovium, cartilage, bone, tendons and entheses. Evidence for the various techniques from studies of both adults and children with inflammatory arthritis is reviewed and critically appraised. RESULTS qMRI has the potential to objectively identify, characterize and quantify inflammation of the connective tissues and skeleton in both adult and pediatric patients. Measurements of tissue properties derived using qMRI methods can serve as imaging biomarkers, which are potentially more reproducible and informative than conventional MRI methods. Several qMRI methods are nearing transition into clinical practice and may inform diagnosis and treatment decisions, with the potential to improve patient outcomes. CONCLUSIONS qMRI enables specific assessment of inflammation in synovium, cartilage, bone, tendons and entheses, and can facilitate a more consistent, personalized approach to diagnosis, characterisation and monitoring of disease.
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