James F Griffith1, Teresa M Hu2, David KW Yeung1, D F Wang1, Fan Xiao1, and Brian Tomlinson2
1Imaging and Interventional Radiology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong, 2Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Hong Kong
Achilles tendon xanthoma is a key clinical indicator of familial hypercholesteraemia (FH) and associated cardiovascular
disease. Treatment that reduces the size of tendon xanthoma also benefits the arterial
manifestations of FH. Ultrasound and MRI are often used to detect and monitor
treatment response of tendon xanthomas using parameters such as tendon
thickness, width and cross-sectional area. However, MR-based parameters derived from the DIXON technique to determine tendon volume and intratendinous percentage fat fraction may
be more sensitive than traditional US and conventional MRI.
