Perfusion in peripheral musculoskeletal structures from dynamic volumetric computed tomography using an en bloc approach.

Volumetric computed tomography offers improved potential to perform perfusion analysis in peripheral musculoskeletal structures. Despite poor baseline tissue enhancement and artifacts from adjacent bone, reproducible perfusion estimates were attained using a volumetric en bloc technique in the plantar muscle compartment, Achilles tendon, and subcalcaneal adipose tissue of 16 feet in healthy male subjects. Inadequate enhancement prevented perfusion estimates in the second metatarsal head of all cases. Perfusion calculations succeeded in the calcaneus in 6 of the 16 examined feet.