title: Diffusion tensor imaging of the normal foot at 3 T.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to establish normative diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) eigenvalues (λ1,λ2,λ3), apparent diffusion coefficient, and fractional anisotropy in asymptomatic foot muscles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten healthy adults (mean [SD], 25.9 [4.3] years) were examined using a 3-T magnetic resonance imaging scanner. Diffusion tensor imaging indices were evaluated in 5 muscles in the foot: quadratus plantae, abductor hallucis, flexor hallucis brevis, flexor digitorum brevis, and abductor digiti minimi. Signal-to-noise ratio was also measured for each muscle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the various foot muscles, λ1 ranged from 1.88 × 10 to 2.14 × 10 mm/s, λ2 ranged from 1.39 × 10 to 1.48 × 10 mm/s, and λ3 ranged from 0.91 × 10 to 1.27 × 10 mm/s; apparent diffusion coefficient ranged from 1.48 × 10 to 1.55 × 10 mm/s; and fractional anisotropy ranged from 0.21 to 0.40. Statistical differences were seen in some eigenvalues between muscle pairs. Mean signal-to-noise ranged from 47.5 to 69.1 in the various muscles examined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Assessment of anisotropy of water diffusion in foot muscles was feasible using DTI. The measured DTI metrics in the foot were similar to those in calf and thigh skeletal muscles.
authors.affiliation: From the *Department of Medical Physics and Applied Radiation Sciences, McMaster University; †Imaging Research Centre, St Joseph's Healthcare; ‡School of Biomedical Engineering; Departments of §Medicine, Division of Rehabilitation Sciences, ∥Radiology, McMaster University; ¶Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St Joseph's Healthcare; and #Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Alyaa H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Elzibak
authors.forename: Dinesh A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Kumbhare
authors.forename: Srinivasan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Harish
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Noseworthy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001834:Body Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D004058:Diffusion; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000737:chemistry*; D009864:Ontario; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D055815:Young Adult