Background— Acute rejection is a major factor impacting survival in the first 12 months after cardiac transplantation. Transplant monitoring requires invasive techniques. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), noninvasive testing, has been used in monitoring heart transplants. Prolonged T2 relaxation has been related to transplant edema and possibly rejection. We hypothesize that prolonged T2 reflects transplant rejection and that quantitative T2 mapping will concur with the pathological and clinical findings of acute rejection. Methods and Results— Patients were recruited within the first year after transplantation. Biopsies were graded according to the International Society for Heart Lung Transplant system for cellular rejection with immunohistochemistry for humoral rejection. Rejection was also considered if patients presented with signs and symptoms of hemodynamic compromise without biopsy evidence of rejection who subsequently improved with treatment. Patients underwent a novel single-shot T2-prepared steady-state free precession 4-chamber and 3 short axis sequences and regions of interest were drawn overlying T2 maps by 2 independent blinded reviewers. A total of 74 (68 analyzable) CMRs T2 maps in 53 patients were performed. There were 4 cellular, 2 humoral, and 2 hemodynamic rejection cases. The average T2 relaxation time for grade 0R (n=46) and grade 1R (n=17) was 52.5±2.2 and 53.1±3.3 ms (mean±SD), respectively. The average T2 relaxation for grade 2R (n=3) was 59.6±3.1 ms and 3R (n=1) was 60.3 ms (all P value <0.05 compared with controls). The T2 average in humoral rejection cases (n=2) was 59.2±3.3 ms and the hemodynamic rejection (n=2) was 61.1±1.8 ms ( P <0.05 versus controls). The average T2 relaxation time for all-cause rejection versus no rejection is 60.1±2.1 versus 52.8±2.7 ms ( P <0.05). All rejection cases were rescanned 2.5 months after treatment and demonstrated T2 normalization with average of 51.4±1.6 ms. No difference was found in ventricular function between nonrejection and rejection patients, except in ventricular mass 107.8±10.3 versus 127.5±10.4 g ( P < 0.05). Conclusions— Quantitative T2 mapping offers a novel noninvasive tool for transplant monitoring, and these initial findings suggest potential use in characterizing rejections. Given the limited numbers, a larger multi-institution study may help elucidate the benefits of T2 mapping as an adjunctive tool in routine monitoring of cardiac transplants.

Purpose To employ 4D-flow MRI for the comprehensive in-vivo analysis of hemodynamics and its relationship to size and morphology of different intracranial aneurysms (IA). We hypothesize that different IA groups, defined by size and morphology, exhibit different velocity fields, wall shear stress and vorticity. Materials and Methods 4D-flow MRI (spatial resolution=0.99–1.8×0.78–1.46×1.2–1.4mm3, temporal resolution=44–48ms) was performed in 19 IAs (18 patients, age=55.4 ± 13.8 years) with saccular (n=16) and fusiform (n=3) morphology and different sizes ranging from small (n=8, largest dimension=6.2 ± 0.4mm) to large and giant (n=11, 25 ± 7mm). Analysis included quantification of volumetric spatial-temporal velocity distribution, vorticity, and wall shear stress (WSS) along the aneurysms 3D surface. Results 4D-flow MRI revealed distinct hemodynamic patterns for large/giant saccular aneurysms (Group 1), small saccular aneurysms (Group 2) and large/giant fusiform aneurysms (Group 3). Saccular IA (Groups 1, 2) demonstrated significantly higher peak velocities (p<0.002) and WSS (p<0.001) compared to fusiform aneurysms. Although intra-aneurysmal 3D velocity distributions were similar for Group 1 and 2, vorticity and WSS was significantly (p<0.001) different (increased in Group 1 by 54%) indicating a relationship between IA size and hemodynamics. Group 3 showed reduced velocities (p<0.001) and WSS (p<0.001). Conclusion 4D flow MRI demonstrated the influence of lesion size and morphology on aneurysm hemodynamics suggesting the potential of 4D-flow MRI to assist in the classification of individual aneurysms.

Muscle fat infiltration (MFI) of the deep cervical spine extensors has been observed in cervical spine conditions using time-consuming and rater-dependent manual techniques. Deep learning convolutional neural network (CNN) models have demonstrated state-of-the-art performance in segmentation tasks. Here, we train and test a CNN for muscle segmentation and automatic MFI calculation using high-resolution fat-water images from 39 participants (26 female, average = 31.7 ± 9.3 years) 3 months post whiplash injury. First, we demonstrate high test reliability and accuracy of the CNN compared to manual segmentation. Then we explore the relationships between CNN muscle volume, CNN MFI, and clinical measures of pain and neck-related disability. Across all participants, we demonstrate that CNN muscle volume was negatively correlated to pain (R = −0.415, p = 0.006) and disability (R = −0.286, p = 0.045), while CNN MFI tended to be positively correlated to disability (R = 0.214, p = 0.105). Additionally, CNN MFI was higher in participants with persisting pain and disability (p = 0.049). Overall, CNN’s may improve the efficiency and objectivity of muscle measures allowing for the quantitative monitoring of muscle properties in disorders of and beyond the cervical spine.

Study Design This research utilized a cross-sectional design with control group inclusion. Objectives Preliminary evidence suggests that a portion of the patient population with chronic whiplash may have sustained spinal cord damage. Our hypothesis is that in some cases of chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD), observed muscle weakness in the legs will be associated with local signs of a partial spinal cord injury of the cervical spine. Setting University based laboratory in Chicago, IL, USA. Methods Five participants with chronic WAD were compared with five gender/age/height/weight/body mass index (BMI) control participants. For a secondary investigation, the chronic WAD group was compared with five unmatched participants with motor incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). Spinal cord motor tract integrity was assessed using magnetization transfer imaging. Muscle fat infiltration (MFI) was quantified using fat/water separation magnetic resonance imaging. Central volitional muscle activation of the plantarflexors was assessed using a burst superimposition technique. Results We found reduced spinal cord motor tract integrity, increased MFI of the neck and lower extremity muscles and significantly impaired voluntary plantarflexor muscle activation in five participants with chronic WAD. The lower extremity structural changes and volitional weakness in chronic WAD were comparable to participants with iSCI. Conclusion The results support the position that a subset of the chronic whiplash population may have sustained partial damage to the spinal cord. Sponsorship NIH R01HD079076-01A1, NIH T32 HD057845 and the Foundation for Physical Therapy Promotion of Doctoral Studies program.

MRI measures of spinal cord damage were correlated to motor function, and this measure appears to have spatial specificity to descending tracts, which may offer prognostic value after SCI.

Here we present a secondary analysis from a parent database of 97 acutely injured participants enrolled in a prospective inception cohort study of whiplash recovery after motor vehicle collision (MVC). The purpose was to investigate the deep and superficial neck extensor muscles with peri-traumatic computed tomography (CT) and longitudinal measures of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in participants with varying levels of whiplash-related disability. Thirty-six underwent standard care imaging of the cervical spine with CT at a level-1 trauma designated emergency department. All 36 participants were assessed with MRI of the cervical spine at <1-week, 2-weeks, 3-, and 12-months post-injury and classified into three groups using initial pain severity and percentage scores on the Neck Disability Index (recovered (NDI of 0-8%), mild (NDI of 10-28%), or severe (NDI � 30%)) at 3-months post MVC. CT muscle attenuation values were significantly correlated to muscle fat infiltration (MFI) on MRI at one-week post MVC. There was no significant difference in muscle attenuation across groups at the time of enrollment. A trend of lower muscle attenuation in the deep compared to the superficial extensors was observed in the severe group. MFI values in the deep muscles on MRI were significantly higher in the severe group when compared to the mild group at 1-year post MVC. This study provides further evidence that the magnitude of 1) deep MFI appears unique to those at risk of and eventually transitioning to chronic WAD and that 2) pre-or peri-traumatic muscular health, determined by CT muscle attenuation, may be contribute to our understanding of long-term recovery.

Study Design This research utilized a cross-sectional design. Objectives Spinal cord edema length has been measured with T2-weighted sagittal MRI to predict motor recovery following spinal cord injury. The purpose of our study was to establish the correlational value of axial spinal cord edema using T2-weighted MRI. We hypothesized a direct relationship between the size of damage on axial MRI and walking ability, motor function, and distal muscle changes seen in motor incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). Setting University based laboratory in Chicago, IL USA. Methods Fourteen participants with iSCI took part in the study. Spinal cord axial damage ratios were assessed using axial T2-weighted MRI. Walking ability was investigated using the 6-minute walk test and daily stride counts. Maximum plantarflexion torque was quantified using isometric dynomometry. Muscle fat infiltration (MFI) and relative muscle cross sectional area (rmCSA) were quantified using fat/water separation magnetic resonance imaging. Results Damage ratios were negatively correlated with distance walked in 6 minutes, average daily strides, and maximum plantarflexion torque, and a negative linear trend was found between damage ratios and lower leg rmCSA. While damage ratios were not significantly correlated with MFI, we found significantly higher MFI in the wheelchair user participant group compared to community walkers. Conclusions Damage ratios may be useful in prognosis of motor recovery in spinal cord injury. The results warrant a large multi-site research study to investigate the value of high-resolution axial T2-weighted imaging to predict walking recovery following motor incomplete spinal cord injury.

Previous preliminary work mapped the distribution of neck muscle fat infiltration (MFI) in the deep cervical extensor muscles (multifidus and semispinalis cervicis) in a small cohort of participants with chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD), recovered, and healthy controls. While MFI was reported to be concentrated in the medial portion of the muscles in all participants, the magnitude was significantly greater in those with chronic WAD. This study aims to confirm these results in a prospective fashion with a larger cohort and compare the findings across a population of patients with varying levels of WAD-related disability one-year following the motor vehicle collision. Sixtyone participants enrolled in a longitudinal study: Recovered (n = 25), Mild (n = 26) and Severe WAD (n = 10) were studied using Fat/Water magnetic resonance imaging, 12-months post injury. Bilateral measures of MFI in four quartiles (Q1-Q4; medial to lateral) at cervical levels C4 through C7 were included. A linear mixed model was performed, controlling for covariates (age, sex, body mass index), examining interaction effects, and comparing MFI distribution between groups. The recovered group had significantly less MFI in Q1 compared to the two symptomatic groups. Group differences were not found in the more lateral quartiles. Results at 12 months are consistent with the preliminary study, indicating that MFI is spatially concentrated in the medial portions of the deep cervical extensors regardless of WAD recovery, but the magnitude of MFI in the medial portions of the muscles is significantly larger in those with severe chronic WAD. Various investigations across three continents (United States 1-3 , Australia 2,4-6 , and Sweden 7,8) have used similar manual segmentation methods with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to demonstrate widespread fatty infiltrates in the neck muscles of individuals with acute and chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD). Comparably high levels of muscle fat infiltration (MFI) were not identified in individuals who (i) had recovered or reported lower levels of WAD-related disability 1,3,4,7,8 , (2) had chronic non-traumatic neck pain 9 , or (3) those without a history of neck disorders 10. Knowledge of a precise mechanism for MFI expression and distribution (e.g. extra-or intra-fascicular MFI) would provide a target for clinical remediation of any adverse symptoms; but this is largely unknown. There remains conjecture in the literature about what constitutes extra-or intra-fascicular MFI, which likely centres on our ability to reliably distinguish the epimysium/perimysium and associated muscle fascicles on MRI. Some have proposed standardised, anatomical definitions of regions of interest in quantifying spinal muscle composition 11,12 , which we concede can be difficult for the cervical spine (eg transversospinal muscles like multifidus).