Abstract
To implement a multidirectional motion encoding scheme for magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) of the human brain with reduced acquisition time, and investigate its performance relative to a conventional MRE scheme. The sample interval modulation (SLIM) scheme was implemented in a multishot, variable density spiral MRE sequence. The brains of seven healthy volunteers were investigated with both SLIM-MRE and conventional MRE acquisitions in a single imaging session on a clinical 3 Tesla MRI scanner with 50 Hz vibration. Following extraction of displacement fields, complex shear modulus property maps were estimated for each encoding concept. The SLIM-MRE and conventional MRE acquisitions produced deformation fields that were nearly identical and exhibited an average correlation coefficient of 0.95 (all p < 0.05). Average properties of white matter differed between the two acquisitions by less than 5% for all volunteers, which is better than reproducibility estimates for conventional MRE alone. The use of SLIM provides very similar quantitative property estimates compared with the conventional MRE encoding scheme. The SLIM acquisition is 2.5 times faster than the conventional acquisition, and may speed the adoption of MRE in clinical settings.
Highlights
In magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), phase contrast-based MRI sequences are synchronized with an applied harmonic vibration to image the resulting mechanical wave motion [1]
We performed a comparative in vivo human brain study between sample interval modulation (SLIM)-MRE and conventional MRE applied to a cohort of seven male volunteers
Consistency was observed between the results from the SLIM-MRE and conventional MRE acquisition schemes
Summary
In magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), phase contrast-based MRI sequences are synchronized with an applied harmonic vibration to image the resulting mechanical wave motion [1]. Tissue mechanical properties are calculated from the measured displacement vector field using inversion algorithms [2]. Pathology affects the mechanical behavior of biological tissue, and quantitative measures of tissue stiffness have demonstrated clinical utility. There is a special interest in applying MRE to the brain as, to date, MRE represents the only noninvasive technique capable of determining cerebral mechanical properties in vivo. The technique has revealed a correlation between the stiffness of the brain parenchyma and both demyelination [5] and inflammation [6]. Decreased cerebral mechanical properties have been observed in the later stages of neurodegeneration in in vivo human studies using MRE [7,8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
