Foot ulcers are an important complication of diabetes mellitus and often precede lower- extremity amputation. Insufficient perfusion of the tissues around ulcers may be the most limiting component to ulcer formation and healing. However, it is historically very difficult to assess distal leg and foot perfusion accurately. The objective of ths study is to evaluate a newly developed non-contrast MRI technique to characterize local skeletal muscle microcirculation in calf and foot. This will be performed in groups of patients with diabetes and foot ulcers, in comparison with healthy subjects and patients with peripheral vascular disease. The long term goal is to promote microcirculation as a prime evaluation target before embarking on interventional treatment for limb preservation in a patient with diabetes.
Two specific aims will be addressed.
Specific Aim 1 will compare the non-contrast MRI skeletal muscle perfusion and oxygenation techniques with clinical methods to assess perfusion of lower extremities.
Specific Aim 2 will determine the relationships between regional skeletal muscle perfusion / oxygenation, and the presence of pedal ulcers in patients with diabetes. This will be compared with patients with peripheral vascular disease and foot ulcers, as well as with healthy volunteers. All study will be performed at rest and during a challenge exercise. It is hypothesized that these regional perfusion and oxygenation indices will be strongly associated with the severity of diabetes and presence of foot ulcer. The completion of this study will provide a foundation for further detailed understanding of the local wound perfusion, which is essential to developing a management plan and establishing prognosis.

Public Health Relevance

This project is to evaluate relationship of regional skeletal muscle perfusion / oxygenation with the presence of foot ulcer in patients with diabetes. A newly developed non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging technique will be employed to assess regional skeletal muscle perfusion and oxygen extraction fraction in calf and foot, at rest and during a challenge exercise. It is hypothesized that these regional perfusion and oxygenation indices will be strongly associated with the severity of diabetes and presence of foot ulcer.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21AR065672-01A1
Application #
8770756
Study Section
Medical Imaging Study Section (MEDI)
Program Officer
Tseng, Hung H
Project Start
2014-08-01
Project End
2016-06-30
Budget Start
2014-08-01
Budget End
2015-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Washington University
Department
Radiation-Diagnostic/Oncology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63130
Edalati, Masoud; Hastings, Mary K; Sorensen, Christopher J et al. (2018) Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Calf Muscles in Subjects With and Without Diabetes Mellitus. J Magn Reson Imaging :
Zheng, Jie; Muccigrosso, David; Zhang, Xiaodong et al. (2016) Oximetric angiosome imaging in diabetic feet. J Magn Reson Imaging 44:940-6
Zheng, Jie; Hasting, Mary K; Zhang, Xiaodong et al. (2014) A pilot study of regional perfusion and oxygenation in calf muscles of individuals with diabetes with a noninvasive measure. J Vasc Surg 59:419-26