Diffusion-Weighted MRI for the Healthy Cervical Multifidus: A Potential Method for Studying Neck Muscle Physiology Following Spinal Trauma

Spinal cord metabolism and muscle water diffusion in whiplash

“…Previous work has established normative data with the same b-value ranges. 6 We certify that all applicable institutional regulations concerning the ethical use of human volunteers were followed during the course of this research.…”

The Pearls and Pitfalls of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Spine

“…[34][35][36][37] Such investigations, using both structural and advanced imaging sequences, have demonstrated changes in the structure and function of the deep and superficial lumbar muscles (multifidus, transverse abdominis, and erector spinae group) with ultrasound, CT, and MRI. 28,32,[55][56][57]65 Kader et al 62 have demonstrated a correlation between leg pain and MRI findings of increased atrophy and fatty infiltration of the ipsilateral lumbar multifidus, and others have demonstrated delayed and reduced recruitment of paraspinal muscles in response to functional tasks in patients with low back pain.…”

“…Despite the aforementioned pitfalls, emerging data suggest that specific spinal pain disorders may be categorized by imaging findings, as indicated by preliminary findings in healthy controls compared to those with traumatic neck pain and low back pain. [15][16][17]36,41 CERVICAL SPINE T he cervical spine is particularly vulnerable to traumatic events, such as falls, motor vehicle accidents, or sports injuries, with a number of tissues at risk. CT scanning provides for a sensitive measure of bony fracture, with visualization in 2 and 3 dimensions, making it ideal as an initial screening modality for osseous spinal pathology in adults.…”

“…15 The use of DWI in the spine also extends beyond quantifying the physiologic response in the intervertebral discs to treatments, as in evidence of its use in differentiating the following: (1) osteoporotic and metastatic vertebral body fractures, 11,12,27,76 (2) degeneration versus infectious abnormalities of the vertebral end plate, 34 (3) identification of nerve root compression, 2,3,17,103 and (4) diffusional properties of water in the spinal musculature of healthy participants and those with spinal pain. 36,41,58,104 Accordingly, DWI represents an innovative imaging application to quantify the precise movement of water within a variety of soft tissues that can be used to measure the physiological effects of disease and/or trauma. As such, it is fast becoming a potentially valuable clinical tool to study cellular level responses to conservative management strategies commonly delivered by physicians and physical therapists (eg, injections, manual therapy, exercise, and physical agents).…”

Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Generating a New Pulse in the Physical Therapy Profession

“…Clinicians and researchers in our field have published and continue to publish seminal and oftentimes multidisciplinary works related to imaging. 6,8,9,[12][13][14][15][16]23,24,[26][27][28] Our journals continue to publish more imaging-related studies/cases, and our professional conferences encourage and accept poster and platform submissions that feature imaging. Finally, the recent development of the Special Interest Group on Imaging within the Orthopedic Section of the APTA is another important contribution to developing practice competencies, reducing practice variability, fostering imaging curriculum in physical therapist education, and promoting the role of the physical therapist, as a primary care team member, in judicious referral for imaging procedures.…”