Enhancing Skeletal Muscle Injury Assessment via Time-Dependent Diffusion MRI

Motivation: The diagnostic value of time-dependent diffusion MRI (td-dMRI) for assessing soft tissue injuries from closed fractures remains uncertain. Goal(s): To determine the sensitivity and diagnostic potential of td-dMRI for skeletal muscle injuries. Approach: We examined correlations between conventional diffusion MRI and td-dMRI in differentiating healthy and injured thigh muscles, comparing muscle involvement across fascial compartments at various diffusion times via td-dMRI-derived microstructural parameters. Results: Td-dMRI showed sensitively than conventional diffusion MRI, facilitating distinction between healthy and affected sides. The OGSE acquisition used in td-dMRI has a shorter diffusion time and is sensitive to muscle oedema. The posterior superficial fascial compartment was least involved. Impact: Td-dMRI improves the accuracy of skeletal muscle injury diagnosis by reliably distinguishing healthy from affected tissues, identifying muscle edema, and providing insights into compartmental involvement, particularly highlighting minimal impact on the posterior superficial compartment.