Water diffusion features as indicators of muscle structure ex vivo.
The structures of two different bovine muscles, the Semitendinosus (ST) and the Triceps brachii (TB), were studied using quantitative maps obtained by diffusion tensor imaging at 4.7 T. The estimated features were: mean diffusivity, intra- and inter-voxel anisotropy and fiber tract orientation angles. Significant differences in anisotropy (fractional anisotropy and lattice index), spatial variations of anisotropy and fiber tract orientation were detected between ST and TB, and are discussed. Accumulation of free water, which diffuses more freely and isotropically than in the rest of the muscle, was detected and localized in ST. These results underline the usefulness of diffusion tensor measurements to characterize muscle structure and help understand the mechanisms of post mortem water exudation.
Bonny
Jean-Marie
JM
Structures Tissulaires et Interactions Moléculaires, INRA Theix, 63122 Saint-Genes-Champanelle, France. bonny@clermont.inra.fr
Renou
Jean-Pierre
JP
D000818:Animals; D016880:Anisotropy; D001834:Body Water; D002417:Cattle; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology*