Diffusion Tensor Imaging Visualizes the Orientations of Muscle Bundles in Isolated Smooth Muscle Layers of the Colon

Motivation: Diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) of isolated smooth muscle layers may provide deep insight into microstructure of muscular bundles in the digestive tract. Goal(s): To demonstrate the feasibility of DTI for isolated smooth muscle layers. Approach: We isolated smooth muscle layers from the porcine colon by immersing them into a nitric acid solution and performed DTI of those specimens using a combination of a 3T-whole body scanner and small solenoidal coil. Results: DTI clearly visualized the orientation of 3-4 mm-thick muscle bundles being perpendicular to each other. It is suggested that DTI of isolated smooth muscle layers is technically feasible. Impact: Our study results suggest a different approach from the conventional image-histology correlation to investigate smooth muscle layers in the digestive tract that might provide microenvironment closely relevant to cancer invasion in the gastro-intestinal organs.