Mapping of apparent Intra- and extra-myocellular lipid content using spiral spectroscopic imaging and diffusion imaging at 3T

Abstract

Exploring spatial distribution of intra- and extramyocellular lipids linked to the orientation of muscle fibers is complex. We used a magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) technique with a spiral encoding of k-t space and diffusion imaging tractography at 3T to reveal possible concomitant factors. The IMCL preponderance index, exploiting the spectroscopic dimension and proposed in this study, highlights interesting and relevant patterns in some calf muscle heads.