擴散影像於兒童肌肉疾病之應用

Until recently, studies employing
conventional magnetic resonance
imaging in the primary or secondary
pediatric muscle disorders still
cannot help to point out the pathologic
changes or specific muscular disease
entity, especially for the orientatio n
of muscle fibers. In effect, the
structures and distribution of muscle
tissues are quite similar to those of
nerve tissues. Application of
diffusion-weighted images to evaluate
muscle disorders is quite feasible in
principle. However, studies using
diffusion-weighted images in muscular
disorders are rarely found.
This study will include 20 children
under the age of 16 years, suffering
from primary or secondary muscular
disorder which involved proximal or mid
limbs. In addition, the control group
will include 10 patients who were free
from signal changes on conventional
T2-weighted images. All patients will
receive magnetic resonance imaging
with 1.5 T scanner. The following pulse
sequences will be performed: 1)
Single-shot echo-planar DW imaging
sequence in the coronal plane, using
body-array coil. Bilateral limbs will
be included in the field of view.
According to the Stejskal and Tanner
equation, isotropic apparent diffusion
coefficient maps will be derived from
diffusion images. Contrast-to-noise
ratios of diffusion-weighted and
apparent diffusion coefficient maps
were calculated.
This study accomplished the
statistical analysis of comparison in
both study and control groups of
patients. Manifestations of primary
and secondary muscular disorders on
fast spin-echo T2, diffusion-weighted
images and apparent diffusion
coefficient maps will be classified
according to the signal changes. In
addition, results of this study will
help understand the distribution of
water in the intra- and extracellular
compartments. Imaging findings will
help to localize the suitable location
for biopsy.