gms | German Medical Science

Objectives: To prospectively evaluate the efficacy of intra-voxel incoherent motion (IVIM) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and etry/the least-squares estimation (IDEAL) parameters in quantitatively measuring the value of local microcirculation and the rate of fat tissue in osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH), also the correlation with both two.

Methods: In this prospective study, 97 ONFH patients in Association of Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) I-III and 36 healthy participants underwent IVIM and IDEAL MRI. IVIM, contrast to traditional MRI, were performed by using 9 b values (10, 20, 30, 50,80,100,200,400 and 1000s/mm2). Then, we would measure the f value of micro-vasculation by IVIM, and the rate of fat tissue (FF fraction) by DWI. Finally, we would compare the values of f value and FF fraction between the ONFH group and normal group, investigate the relationship among ARCO stage and two values.

Results and Conclusion: The mean f values of ONFH and normal group were 0.28±0.04 and 0.19±0.03, respectively, p<0.05. The FF fraction were lower in ONFH than in normal group (20.81±10.15 and 10.24±4.66, respectively, p<0.01). The f value and FF value of ONFH group and normal control group were significantly different (t = 7.32, P<0.05). The f value ONFH decreased, while the FF rate increased (r=-0.37, P<0.01). f value was negatively correlated with ARCO staging (r=-0.37, P<0.01), whereas FF rate was positively relative (r=0.42, P<0.01). IVIM and IDEAL MRI is a promising technique for distinguishing different ARCO stages of microcirculation and fat tissue. Under measuring by ARCO stage, the local microcirculation in necrotic area was negatively correlated with the fat content, which may help to treatment decision and prognosis evaluation.