Value of texture analysis on the Ktrans map of dynamic contrast enhancement MRI for assessment of critical limb ischemia in diabetic rabbits

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a severe complication of diabetes which dramatically increases the risk of limb amputation and mortality. A greater degree of information may be derived by including an assessment of microvascular permeability in proximal femur by the transfer constant (Ktrans) values and MR texture analysis. Twelve diabetic rabbits (6 without CLI, 6 with occluded vasculature of the lower extremities) were examined by dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging at fixed time points.We found that Ktrans reached the minimum on one day after ischemia induction, and then recovered along with neoangiogenesis. Three texture features (mean value, MPP, sumAverage) were significantly different between two groups. Ktrans and three TA feature parameters were correlated with capillary density. Overall, Ktrans can be used to quantitative evaluation of changes in femur microvascular permeability in diabetic rabbits with CLI.. Texture analysis can provide more quantification information, which can be more accurately detecting alterations in bone marrow in diabetic rabbits