Abstract #5063

Combined accelerated 4D Phase Contrast and 3D Diffusion Tensor Imaging reveals a complex relation between strain and muscle architecture in contracting leg muscles

Valentina Mazzoli^1,2,3, Martijn Froeling⁴, Lukas M Gottwald¹, Nico Verdonschot³, Melissa T Hooijmans¹, Aart J Nederveen¹, and Gustav J Strijkers^2,5

¹Department of Radiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands, ²Biomedical NMR, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands, ³Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Radboud UMC, Nijmegen, Netherlands, ⁴Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands, ⁵Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Skeletal muscles are geometrically complex 3D structures, and cannot be fully characterized by 2D imaging. Therefore, a complete understanding of mechanisms of force transmission and strain development in relation to muscle architecture during contraction requires a 3D approach. We measured strain rate in the lower leg using a 4D accelerated Phase Contrast protocol and 3D muscle architecture with DTI. Our 3D strain rate data revealed a planar pattern, with one negative and one positive strain rate eigenvalue. Strain rate data combined with 3D muscle architecture, suggested a complex and heterogeneous behavior of strain development during muscle contraction.

This abstract and the presentation materials are available to members only; a login is required.

Join Here