title: Quantitative DTI assessment in human lumbar stabilization muscles at 3 T.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tensor eigenvalues (λ1, λ2, λ3), fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, and radial diffusivity in healthy lumbar musculature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen healthy subjects (10 men, 7 women; mean age, 28 ± 7 years) were scanned using a 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging. Axial DTI was performed using 15 diffusion directions (b = 400 mm/s) at the L4 level. Oswestry Low Back Pain and Godin Physical Activity questionnaires were administered to rule out underlying lower back problems.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Skeletal muscle DTI metrics were similar to those previously published. All measurements showed low coefficients of variation, except for quadratus lumborum. Laterality was not significant. Significant sex differences were observed in the quadratus lumborum (P < 0.05). Significant correlations were found between subjects' weight and body mass index with fractional anisotropy and λ1 of the multifidus muscles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The DTI metrics in paraspinal muscles can be reliably measured and are influenced by body mass index and weight but not by age or physical activity.
authors: McMaster School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Gavin E G
authors: GE
authors: Jones
authors: Dinesh A
authors: DA
authors: Kumbhare
authors: Srinivasan
authors: S
authors: Harish
authors: Michael D
authors: MD
authors: Noseworthy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016880:Anisotropy; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires