Assessing lower back myofascial interface mobility using MR elastography-based slip interface imaging (SII)

Motivation: Investigating abnormal myofascial adhesion is crucial for understanding chronic low back pain in myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), necessitating objective, non-invasive imaging methods to characterize myofascial mobility in the lower back. Goal(s): To evaluate the efficacy of MR-Elastography (MRE)-based slip interface imaging (SII) technique for visualizing myofascial mobility in the lower back of healthy volunteers. Approach: A custom-built MRE driver and a new SII biomarker (Dnorm) were introduced for detecting slip interfaces across thoracolumbar fascia and inter-muscular myofascial interfaces. Results: The Dnorm map at a lower MRE frequency successfully provided clear visualization of lumbar slip interfaces, indicating unrestricted mobility in healthy volunteers. Impact: The new SII biomarker enhances visualization of the interface mobility in thoracolumbar fascia and other inter-muscular interfaces in the lower back. This may benefit assessment of myofascial mobility differences between healthy individuals and patients with MPS.