Characterization of Skeletal Muscle Using Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE)

The goal of this proposal is two-fold: (1) to further develop and validate a technology, magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), for quantitatively imaging mechanical properties and tension distribution in muscle and (2) to apply the technique for in vivo evaluation of patients with four common, and clinically significant muscle disorders (spasticity, disuse atrophy, myofascial pain and a metabolic myopathy). These studies will employ a magnetic resonance imaging sequence with synchronous motion-sensitizing gradients to map propagating shear waves in the muscle. The technique will assess the mechanical properties of the muscle and its tension distribution. Specifically, the study can be divided into three specific aims. Aim 1: Optimize MRE methods of acquisition and analysis for the assessment of muscle, including electromechanical drivers, data acquisition techniques, and methods for image analysis. Advanced techniques for very rapid MRE assessment of muscle will continue to be developed. Aim 2: Validate the MRE assessment of muscle properties and tension with phantom, ex-vivo muscle, and Finite Element Modeling (FEM) techniques. Finite Element Analysis will be performed by using both phantom and bovine muscles to better correlate MRE wave-length findings as function of muscle properties, tension and fiber architecture. Aim 3: Study In Vivo Normal and Abnormal Muscle. The MRE technique will be applied in vivo to provide elastographic images of abnormal muscle with known disorders. The patient groups chosen for study are each important in their own right, and furnish unique information across the spectrum of muscular disease and dysfunction. Groups to be studied include individuals with new onset of spasticity following an ischemic, hemispheric stroke, disuse atrophy as a result of immobilization, metabolic (hyperthyroid) myopathy and myofascial pain for trigger point identification. The overall hypothesis of this work is that will bring benefits to both basic research and clinical care.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Stroke; Immobilization; Myofacial Pain; Hyperthyroid Myopathy

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 300

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Minnesota
    • Rochester, Minnesota, United States, 55905
      • Mayo Clinic

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Residents of the community and patients of the study investigators.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Normals:

• Healthy individuals

Stroke:

• a first stroke (i.e., a unilateral, ischemic hemispheric stroke) within the previous one to two months, ability to cooperate and follow simple commands, and gastrocsoleous strength in the affected lower extremity of between trace and 50% of normal.

Immobilization:

• immobilized in a cast (typically 6 weeks) following sugical repair of a severe Achilles tendon tear or rupture, ankle injury or plantar fascial pain

Myofascial Pain:

• history of pain in trapezius confirmed by clincal examination. The examiner will perform snapping palpation over the MFTP. If a localized, transient contraction is observed, the response is considered to be positive and the subject will be considered eligible for entry into the study.

Hyperthyroid Myopathy:

• clinical assessment in combination with a serum hormone profile of increased Free Thyroxine (FT4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) in the face of suppressed levels of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH).

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

4

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
1; Hemiparesis as the result of an ischemic hemispheric stroke.
2; Immobilization following severe Achilles tendon tear or rupture, ankle injury or plantar fascial pain.
3; Myofascial trigger points in trapezius muscle.
4; Hyperthyroid Myopathy

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Mayo Clinic

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• Mayo Clinic Clinical Trials

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: April 1, 2003
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 1, 2009
• Study Completion (Actual): September 1, 2009

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 26, 2007
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 7, 2008
• First Posted (Estimate): January 8, 2008

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): December 4, 2009
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 3, 2009
• Last Verified: December 1, 2009

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Stroke; Immobilization; Myofacial Pain; Hyperthyroid Myopathy
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Nervous System Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Endocrine System Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Thyroid Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Hyperthyroidism; Muscular Diseases; Facial Pain
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2391-02; 5R01EB000812 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)