22 Volumetric MRI; A Potential Outcome Measure of Muscle Reinnervation

Abstract Introduction Improved outcome measures of muscle reinnervation would facilitate clinical translation new therapies which hope to enhance human peripheral nerve repair. Valid should be receptive the biological process and correlate with assessments muscular function. This study investigated responsiveness volumetric MRI its relationship indices Method Twenty-five patients who underwent transfer reinnervate elbow flexor muscles were followed-up at a median time 258 days (-86 1698 days) post-operatively for mean two (one three) assessments. Medical Research Council (MRC) grade, peak volitional force (PVF), fatigue, co-contraction Stanmore Percentage Normal Elbow Assessment (SPONEA) was also measured each appointment. The parameter compared using Pearson or Spearman correlation as appropriate. Results volume per unit BMI demonstrated (R2=0.73, p < 0.001) correlated patient reported impairments reinnervated muscle; (R2=0.63, = 0.02) fatigue (R2=0.64, 0.04). Conclusions Volumetric may is an excellent candidate measure reinnervation.