Sensitivity of IVIM in Detecting Acute Femoral Head Ischemia: A Comparison Between RESOLVE and Single Shot EPI Using An In Vivo Piglet Model

Motivation: Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) is a promising noninvasive technique to measure tissue diffusion and perfusion using a single multi-b-value diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) acquisition. Goal(s): To determine whether IVIM is sensitive to acute femoral head ischemia in the piglet model using RESOLVE and single-shot EPI. Approach: 24 piglets underwent bilateral hip imaging using a 3T MRI before and after surgical induction of unilateral femoral head ischemia. IVIM and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were compared between the pre- and post-operative scans. Results: IVIM is sensitive in detecting ischemia and subsequent injury to the femoral head. RESOLVE outperforms ssEPI in detecting changes in perfusion. Impact: IVIM may be a clinically useful non-contrast-enhanced alternative to CE-MRI to measure femoral head ischemia and perfusion changes for detecting, staging, and monitoring LCPD and other forms of osteonecrosis of the femoral head.