Magnetic resonance fingerprinting of the pancreas at 1.5\xa0T and 3.0\xa0T

Eva M Serrao,Joshua D Kaggie,Dimitri A Kessler,Rolf F Schulte,Martin J Graves,Kevin M Brindle,Ferdia A Gallagher,Mary A Mclean,Bruno Carmo,Guido Buonincontri,Evis Sala,Lucian Beer,Edmund Godfrey,Fiona J Gilbert

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-74462-6

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging of the pancreas is increasingly used as an important diagnostic modality for characterisation of pancreatic lesions. Pancreatic MRI protocols are mostly qualitative due to time constraints and motion sensitivity. MR Fingerprinting is an innovative acquisition technique that provides qualitative data and quantitative parameter maps from a single free‐breathing acquisition with the potential to reduce exam times. This work investigates the feasibility of MRF parameter mapping for pancreatic imaging in the presence of free-breathing exam. Sixteen healthy participants were prospectively imaged using MRF framework. Regions-of-interest were drawn in multiple solid organs including the pancreas and T1 and T2 values determined. MRF T1 and T2 mapping was performed successfully in all participants (acquisition time:2.4–3.6 min). Mean pancreatic T1 values were 37–43% lower than those of the muscle, spleen, and kidney at both 1.5 and 3.0 T. For these organs, the mean pancreatic T2 values were nearly 40% at 1.5 T and < 12% at 3.0 T. The feasibility of MRF at 1.5 T and 3 T was demonstrated in the pancreas. By enabling fast and free-breathing quantitation, MRF has the potential to add value during the clinical characterisation and grading of pathological conditions, such as pancreatitis or cancer.

Highlights

Magnetic resonance imaging of the pancreas is increasingly used as an important diagnostic modality for characterisation of pancreatic lesions
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pancreas is increasingly used as a major diagnostic modality for characterisation of pancreatic lesions, given its superior soft tissue contrast and increased sensitivity for detection and characterisation of smaller pancreatic m asses1,2
This study demonstrates the feasibility of free-breathing, non-gated MR fingerprinting (MRF) in the pancreas at 1.5 and 3 T within a clinically reasonable acquisition period of 2.4–3.6 min

Summary

Introduction

Magnetic resonance imaging of the pancreas is increasingly used as an important diagnostic modality for characterisation of pancreatic lesions. Despite the potential of quantitative multiparametric MRI, pancreatic MRI protocols are still mostly qualitative, with clinical assessments involving a trained reader to create a subjective evaluation based on T 1- and T2-weighted images. This subjective evaluation is highly parameter dependent, which reduces the ability for analysis to be translated across centres. MRF measurements have shown T1 values in lesions that are nearly double those of normal-appearing tissue in the prostate, liver and brain, and demonstrated T 2 differences between low and high grade tumours as great as 70%24–27. The application of MRF in the pancreas, and in the abdomen in general, offers a wide range of clinical and research opportunities by accelerating acquisition of quantitative parameter maps

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Conclusion