Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in denervated skeletal muscle: Experimental study in rabbits

• Published in: PloS one 2019-04, Vol.14 (4), p.e0215069-e0215069
• Main Authors: Qi, Liang, Xu, Lei, Wang, Wen-Tao, Zhang, Yu-Dong, Zhang, Rui, Zou, Yue-Fen, Shi, Hai-Bin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biology and Life Sciences; Contrast Media; Denervation; Diagnostic imaging; Disease Models, Animal; Image Enhancement; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods; Magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Male; Medical examination; Medicine and Health Sciences; Methods; Muscle Denervation - methods; Muscle, Skeletal - innervation; Muscle, Skeletal - pathology; Rabbits; Research and Analysis Methods; Sciatic Nerve - injuries; Skeletal muscle; Surgery; Trauma, Nervous System - diagnosis
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215069

To investigate the value of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluating denervated skeletal muscle in rabbits. 24 male rabbits were randomly divided into an irreversible neurotmesis group and a control group. In the experimental group, the sciatic nerves of rabbits were transected for irreversible neurotmesis model. A sham operation was performed in the control group. MRI of rabbit lower legs was performed before nerve surgery and 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 10 weeks, and 12 weeks after surgery. Signal intensity changes were seen in the left gastrocnemius muscle on the T2-weighted images. DCE-MRI derived parameters (Ktrans, Kep, and Vp) were measured in vivo. In the irreversible neurotmesis group, T2-weighted images showed increased signal intensity in the left gastrocnemius muscle. Ktrans, Vp values changes occur as early as 1 day after denervation, and increased gradually until 4 weeks after surgery. There are significant increases in both Ktrans and Vp values compared with those in the control group after surgery (P < 0.05). Kep values show no significant difference between the irreversible neurotmesis group and the control group. DCE-MRI hold the promise of an early and sensitive diagnosis of denervated skeletal muscle.