Diffusion-tensor MRI tractography has been applied to characterize muscle diffusion properties and architecture. Tract propagation is performed using various propagation algorithms, settings, and step sizes. Smoothing, such as by polynomial fitting, has been shown to reduce tract path errors due to noise. Optimal settings for tracking algorithm, parameters, and order of subsequent smoothing polynomials have not been established. This work examines the effect of tracking algorithm settings, step size, and polynomial order on muscle architecture and diffusion estimates and polynomial fit residuals behavior. Results emphasize the high sensitivity of curvature estimates to smoothing polynomial order.
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