Sequential MR Imaging of Denervated and Reinnervated Skeletal Muscle as Correlated to Functional Outcome

Purpose: To prospectively assess the short inversion time inversion-recovery (STIR) magnetic resonance (MR) signal intensity changes of denervated and reinnervated skeletal muscle over time in clinical patients. Materials and Methods: This study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained from all patients. Twenty-three patients with complete traumatic transection of the median or ulnar nerve in the forearm were prospectively followed for 12 months after surgical nerve repair. STIR MR images of selected intrinsic hand muscles were obtained 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after nerve repair, and signal intensities of denervated and reinnervated muscles were measured semiqu Results: Of the 23 patients, 10 had good function recovery, while 13 had poor recovery. For the group with good function recovery, mean signal intensity ratios of 1.267 +/- 0.060 (standard deviation), 1.357 +/- 0.116, 1.297 +/- 0.111, 1.205 +/- 0.096, and 1.086 +/- 0.104 were found at 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up, respectively. In the group with poor recovery, mean signal intensity ratios of 1.299 +/- 0.056, 1.377 +/- 0.094, 1.419 +/- 0.117, 1.398 +/- 0.111, and 1.342 +/- 0.095 were fo Conclusion: STIR MR imaging can be used to differentiate between denervated and reinnervated muscles for at least 12 months after nerve transection.