Eight-channel Phased-array Coil Research Articles

Accurate estimation of diffusion kurtosis (DK) imaging parameters of the prostate

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of maximum likelihood (ML) estimation of diffusion kurtosis (DK) imaging parameters in the prostate and compare the estimated parameters to those measured using least squares (LS) estimation. Materials and methods: The institutional review board issued a waiver of informed consent for this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant, retrospective study of forty-two patients (median [Md] age=61 years; range: 43-74 years) who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between September and October 2016. Diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) at nine b-values (0-2000 s/mm2 ) were acquired using a 3-T whole-body MRI unit (Discovery MR750; GE Medical Systems, Waukesha, WI) equipped with an eight-channel phased array coil for signal reception. Diffusion coefficient (D) and kurtosis (K) were estimated from the normal appearing prostate peripheral zone and prostate cancer regions of interest (ROIs). The parameters were estimated by fitting the measured MR signal intensities as a function of b-value, using LS and ML algorithms. An estimate of the noise was obtained on the b=0 images in an artifact-free ROI in the rectum. Simulations were also carried out to assess the properties of the two estimators in a range of signal-to-noise ratios. Results: For benign ROIs, the mean D ± standard deviation, (1.88±0.52)×10-3 mm2 /sec, and mean K (0.79±0.20), measured using LS estimation, differed significantly from the mean D (1.96±0.48)×10-3 mm2 /sec and mean K (0.68±0.21), measured using ML estimation (P<0.001 for both). For malignant ROIs, the mean D (1.48±0.38)×10-3 mm2 /sec and mean K (0.94±0.20), measured using LS estimation, differed significantly from the mean D (1.54±0.36)×10-3 mm2 /sec and mean K (0.81±0.19), measured using ML estimation (P<0.001 for both). Simulations demonstrate that ML minimizes the bias estimate of DK parameters within the signal-to-noise ratio range of 5-15. Conclusion: By incorporating the noise level, the ML estimation increases the accuracy of DK parameter estimation. In vivo results with phased array coils showed significant differences in DK parameter estimates with ML as compared with the standard LS estimation.

Influence of inflammatory response on infarct size and microvascular obstruction estimated by cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Background The inflammatory response during ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been shown to influence the clinical outcome. Moreover, infarct size (IS) and microvascular obstruction (MVO) predict major adverse events in patients with STEMI. The aim of the study was to compare the inflammatory response measured by C-reactive protein (CRP) serum concentration and the number of white blood cells (WBC) with the infarct size and MVO estimated by CMR. Methods We examined 85 patients (mean age 59±11 years; 59 males and 26 females) with acute STEMI. CRP and white blood cells were measured at the admission to the hospital. CMR examinations were performed on a 1.5 T scanner (Siemens, Avanto) using an eight-channel phased-array coil combined with 4-6 elements of spinal coil within 3 days after STEMI. Cine imaging with steady-state free precession and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) were performed in the long axis and the contiguous short axis slices to evaluate myocardial function, IS and MVO. Infarct size was defined as an area greater than 50% of the maximal signal intensity within LGE (FWMH - full-width half maximum). MVO was diagnosed as an area of contrast hypoenhancement within the infarct zone and was included in the assessment of IS. IS and MVO were determined by planimetry and a summation of discs method. Results

Detection of myocardial edema with diffusion weighted imaging in patients with acute myocarditis

Methods We have analyzed 26 consecutive patients: 22 male, average age: 27 years (range 13-43) with clinical diagnosis of acute myocarditis. The CMR examinations were performed on a 1,5 T scanner using an eight-channel phasedarray coil combined with 4-6 elements of spinal coil. All patients underwent assessment of myocardial oedema: T2weighted triple inversion recovery (STIR), T1-weighted turbo spin echo pre and post contrast, function (cine Steady State Free Precession) and scar (Late Gadolinium Enhancement). Additionally DWI EPI sequence with b = 50 sec/mm was acquired before contrast administration. The sequence parameters were as follows: slice thickness 10 mm, repetition time (depending on patient breath cycle) 3-4 s, echo time 78 ms, bandwidth 1,736 Hz/Px. The DWI sequence was ECG-gated and synchronized to the respiratory cycle using PACE technique. For all patients T1 and T2 ratio were calculated and presence of LGE areas were reported. For STIR and DWI contrast between healthy myocardium and edema was calculated as a difference between edematous and normal myocardial muscle divided by standard deviation of image noise. Results We managed to acquired good quality DWI images in all 26 patients, average acquisition time was 120s per slice, distortion artifacts occurred in 5 patients but did not impaired diagnostic value of analyzed images. Increased signal intensity in DWI images occurred in all patients in the area of LGE enhancement and were consistent with areas of increased signal in STIR. All patients met at least two out of three criteria for inflammatory activity and injury. T2 ratio was increased (≥ 2) in 24 patients, T1 ratio (≥ 4) in 23 cases, all patients had focal non ischemic enhancement in LGE. CNR was higher in DWI than in STIR: 23,8 vs. 17,6 respectively.

Accelerated fractional ventilation imaging with hyperpolarized Gas MRI

To investigate the utility of accelerated imaging to enhance multibreath fractional ventilation (r) measurement accuracy using hyperpolarized gas MRI. Undersampling shortens the breath-hold time, thereby reducing the O2 -induced signal decay and allows subjects to maintain a more physiologically relevant breathing pattern. Additionally, it may improve r estimation accuracy by reducing radiofrequency destruction of hyperpolarized gas. Image acceleration was achieved using an eight-channel phased array coil. Undersampled image acquisition was simulated in a series of ventilation images and data was reconstructed for various matrix sizes (48-128) using generalized auto-calibrating partially parallel acquisition. Parallel accelerated r imaging was also performed on five mechanically ventilated pigs. Optimal acceleration factor was fairly invariable (2.0-2.2×) over the range of simulated resolutions. Estimation accuracy progressively improved with higher resolutions (39-51% error reduction). In vivo r values were not significantly different between the two methods: 0.27 ± 0.09, 0.35 ± 0.06, 0.40 ± 0.04 (standard) versus 0.23 ± 0.05, 0.34 ± 0.03, 0.37 ± 0.02 (accelerated); for anterior, medial, and posterior slices, respectively, whereas the corresponding vertical r gradients were significant (P < 0.001): 0.021 ± 0.007 (standard) versus 0.019 ± 0.005 (accelerated) (cm(-1) ). Quadruple phased array coil simulations resulted in an optimal acceleration factor of ∼2× independent of imaging resolution. Results advocate undersampled image acceleration to improve accuracy of fractional ventilation measurement with hyperpolarized gas MRI.

Three-Dimensional Turbo-Spin-Echo Amide Proton Transfer MR Imaging at 3-Tesla and Its Application to High-Grade Human Brain Tumors

Amide proton transfer (APT) imaging is able to extend the achievable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast to the protein level. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of applying a turbo-spin-echo (TSE)-based, three-dimensional (3D) APT sequence into routine clinical practice for patients with brain tumors. Experiments were performed on a Philips 3-Tesla (3-T) MRI scanner using an eight-channel phased-array coil for reception. A fast 3D APT sequence with a TSE acquisition was proposed (saturation power, 2μT; saturation time, 500ms; 8 slices). The gradient echo (GRE)-based field-mapping technique or water-saturation-shift-referencing (WASSR) technique was used to acquire B(0) maps to correct for B(0)-induced artifacts in APT images. The test was performed on a box of homogenous protein solution, four healthy volunteers, and eight patients with high-grade gliomas. The experimental data from a homogenous, protein-containing phantom and healthy volunteers show that the sequence produced a uniform contrast across all slices. The average MTR(asym)(3.5ppm) values with GRE B(0)-corrected 3D APT imaging and WASSR-corrected 3D APT imaging were both comparable to the values obtained using the undemanding single-slice acquisition. The average APT image intensity was consistently higher in the tumor core than in the peripheral edema and in the contralateral normal-appearing white matter (both P < 0.001). 3D APT imaging of brain tumors can be performed in about 5min at 3-T using a routine, commercial eight-channel SENSE coil.

Magnetic resonance of hearts in a jar: breathing new life into old pathological specimens

Specimens of the normal and congenitally abnormal heart have been long preserved, collected, and studied. It is increasingly difficult to add to such pathological collections. These museum pieces are often inaccessible for teaching purposes. Magnetic resonance imaging of old pathological specimens could produce high-resolution unalterable datasets that could be processed to create three-dimensional reconstructions using inexpensive systems that could be used by untrained individuals. To our knowledge, the concept of "Virtual Autopsy" has not been applied to cardiac specimens of museum collections. To determine optimal sequences and assure specimen safety, five different pulse sequences designed to create three-dimensional datasets were tried on a uterus specimen suspended in a fluid-filled glass container, using a 1.5 Tesla scanner with an eight-channel phased-array coil. Having found the best sequences and established specimen integrity, we scanned six historical heart specimens in their original fluid-filled glass containers. The datasets were processed on a laptop with a DICOM viewer available as freeware. All specimens were successfully scanned. The best image quality was obtained by using a three-dimensional FSPGR and the BRAVO pulse sequences. High-resolution three-dimensional and multi-planar image processing was possible for all datasets. Detailed examination of the specimens could be easily performed. Pathological specimens can successfully be scanned in minutes resulting in unalterable and portable high-resolution three-dimensional datasets that can be processed by using inexpensive readily available software. The final cardiac reconstructions can be widely shared for educational and scientific purposes and ensure a lasting access to pathological specimens.

Magnetic resonance imaging signs of iliotibial band friction in patients with isolated medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee

The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the frequency of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs of iliotibial band friction (ITBF) in patients with advanced medial compartment knee osteoarthritis. Proton density-weighted (PDw) fat-saturated (fatsat) MR images (1.5 T, slice thickness (SL) 2.5-3 mm, eight-channel phased array coil) of 128 patients with isolated advanced osteoarthritis of the medial knee compartment and complete or subtotal (>80%) loss of cartilage were evaluated. There were 41 men and 87 women. Mean age was 63 years, range 34-89 years. The control group consisted of 94 patients with medial meniscus degeneration without cartilage loss (56 men and 38 women, mean age 50 years, range 16-89 years). MRI signs of ITBF were evaluated in both groups [poorly defined abnormalities of signal intensity and localized fluid collection lateral, distal or proximal to the lateral epicondyle; signal intensity abnormalities superficial to or deep by the iliotibial band (ITB)]. Transverse images were evaluated separately. Consensus evaluation using all imaging planes was performed. Of 128 patients with osteoarthritis, 95 had moderate or advanced MRI signs of ITBF (74.2%). Eighty-nine patients (69.5%) had advanced degeneration of the meniscus. In the control group, 26 of 94 patients had only moderate MRI signs of ITBF. There was a statistically significant difference between both groups for the presence of MR signs of ITBF (P <or= 0.01). MRI signs of ITBF were frequently present in patients with severe medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee. Joint space narrowing with varus knee deformity may be a cause of ITBF.

Optimal Contrast of Imaging Characteristics for 4 Dimensional MRI of the Temporomandibular Joint by Examining the Signal Intensity

The purpose of this study was to achieve optimal contrast of imaging characteristics in 4 dimensional MR images of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) for evaluating the TMJ structures during mandibular movement. Twelve TMJs from six subjects without any TMJ dysfunction were studied. MRI was performed using a 1.5 MR system with an eight-channel phased array coil. The images were acquired using a balanced steady-state free precession (b-SSFP) sequence. The optimal flip angle was determined for differentiation for the main anatomical structures of the TMJ; the posterior band of the articular disc, the retrodiscal tissues, the condylar head, and the lateral pterygoid muscle, by examining the signal intensity (SI-d) of TMJ structures on b-SSFP MR images obtained using various flip angles. Repeated measures two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed, followed by Bonferroni's multiple comparison analysis. The main anatomical structures of the TMJ had the highest SI-d at flip angles of 30 degrees and 40 degrees, and there were the most significant differences between the SI-d of the articular disc and all other structures at a flip angle of 40 degrees, followed by a flip angle of 30 degrees. These data suggest that a flip angle of approximately 30 degrees to 40 degrees is appropriate for obtaining the optimal contrast of imaging characteristics for 4 Dimensional MR images of the TMJ with b-SSFP sequence.

Fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity: comparison between 3.0‐T and 1.5‐T diffusion tensor imaging with parallel imaging using histogram and region of interest analysis

We performed a comparison study focusing on differences in fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) between 3-T and 1.5-T diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with parallel imaging. Thirty healthy volunteers underwent DTI with an eight-channel phased-array coil at both 3 T and 1.5 T. Histogram and region of interest (ROI) analyses were performed. Paired t tests were applied for statistical analysis. Signal-to-noise ratios of these regions were also measured. For histogram analysis, peak location of FA was significantly lower at 3 T than at 1.5 T (P = 0.04). Mean FA was significantly higher at 3 T than at 1.5 T (P = 0.002). Peak location of MD was significantly lower at 3 T than at 1.5 T (P < 0.001). Mean MD was significantly lower at 3 T than at 1.5 T (P < 0.001). In ROI analysis, FA was significantly larger at 3 T than at 1.5 T in the centrum semiovale (P < 0.001), middle cerebellar peduncle (P < 0.001), cerebral peduncle (P = 0.006), posterior limb of the internal capsule (P = 0.007), genu (P < 0.001) and splenium (P < 0.001). FA was significantly lower at 3 T than at 1.5 T in the globus pallidus (P < 0.001). MD was significantly smaller at 3 T than at 1.5 T in the globus pallidus (P = 0.007), thalamus (P < 0.001), centrum semiovale (P < 0.001), middle cerebellar peduncle (P < 0.001), cerebral peduncle (P = 0.01), posterior limb of the internal capsule (P < 0.001), genu (P = 0.01) and splenium (P < 0.001). Significant differences in FA and MD exist between 3 T and 1.5 T for whole-brain histogram analysis and ROI analysis.

Considerations in applying 3D PRESS H-1 brain MRSI with an eight-channel phased-array coil at 3 T

The purpose of this study was to assess the benefits of a 3 T scanner and an eight-channel phased-array head coil for acquiring three-dimensional PRESS (Point REsolved Spectral Selection) proton (H-1) magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) data from the brains of volunteers and patients with brain tumors relative to previous studies that used a 1.5 T scanner and a quadrature head coil. Issues that were of concern included differences in chemical shift artifacts, line broadening due to increased susceptibility at higher field strengths, changes in relaxation times and the increased complexity of the postprocessing software due to the need for combining signals from the multichannel data. Simulated and phantom spectra showed that very selective suppression pulses with a thickness of 40 mm and an overpress factor of at least 1.2 are needed to reduce chemical shift artifact and lipid contamination at higher field strengths. Spectral data from a phantom and those from six volunteers demonstrated that the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the eight-channel coil was more than 50% higher than that in the quadrature head coil. For healthy volunteers and eight patients with brain tumors, the SNR at 3 T with the eight-channel coil was on average 1.5 times higher relative to the eight-channel coil at 1.5 T in voxels from normal-appearing brains. In combination with the effect of a higher field strength, the use of the eight-channel coil was able to provide an increase in the SNR of more than 2.33 times the corresponding acquisition at 1.5 T with a quadrature head coil. This is expected to be critical for clinical applications of MRSI in patients with brain tumors because it can be used to either decrease acquisition time or improve spatial resolution.

Rapid 3D‐T1ρ mapping of the knee joint at 3.0T with parallel imaging

Three-dimensional spin-lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame (3D-T1rho) with parallel imaging at 3.0T was implemented on a whole-body clinical scanner. A 3D gradient-echo sequence with a self-compensating spin-lock pulse cluster was combined with generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisitions (GRAPPA) to acquire T1rho-weighted images. 3D-T1rho maps of an agarose phantom and three healthy subjects were constructed using an eight-channel phased-array coil without parallel imaging and with parallel imaging acceleration factors of 2 and 3, in order to assess the reproducibility of the method. The coefficient of variation (CV) of the median T1rho of the agarose phantom was 0.44%, which shows excellent reproducibility. The reproducibility of in vivo 3D-T1rho maps was also investigated in three healthy subjects. The CV of the median T1rho of the patellar cartilage varied between approximately 1.1% and 4.3%. Similarly, the CV varied between approximately 2.1-5.8%, approximately 1.4-8.7%, and approximately 1.5-4.1% for the biceps femoris and lateral and medial gastrocnemius muscles, respectively. The preliminary results demonstrate that 3D-T1rho maps can be constructed with good reproducibility using parallel imaging. 3D-T1rho with parallel imaging capability is an important clinical tool for reducing both the total acquisition time and RF energy deposition at 3T.

Feasibility of dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion MR imaging at 3T using a standard quadrature head coil and eight‐channel phased‐array coil with and without SENSE reconstruction

To investigate changes in image and dynamic signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) of the DeltaR2* curve, as well as magnetic susceptibility-induced artifacts between a standard quadrature head coil and an eight-channel phased-array coil with and without sensitivity-encoding (SENSE) at 3T, compared to the current clinical standard head coil acquisition at 1.5T. Dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) perfusion MRI was performed on 80 brain tumor patients using a gradient-echo, echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequence. Image and dynamic SNR were compared between 1.5T and 3T field strengths, a quadrature and eight-channel phased-array coil, and a conventional vs. partially parallel EPI acquisition with SENSE reconstruction. The amount of geometric distortion and signal dropout was quantified and compared between conventional and SENSE EPI acquisitions within the same exam at 3T. An initial 2.6-fold elevation in dynamic SNR was observed in normal-appearing white matter when doubling the field strength (P < 0.001), with an additional 1.7-fold increase found when employing an eight-channel phased-array coil (P < 0.002). Compared to the standard 3T eight-channel coil acquisition, the implementation of SENSE reduced the number of voxels experiencing large anterior shifts in the phase-encode direction, lowered the volume of signal dropout by 2.0-11.5%, and allowed a 1.4-fold increase in slice coverage, while only decreasing the dynamic SNR by 22%. SENSE EPI at 3T yielded a significant improvement in dynamic SNR over the 1.5T acquisitions. A significant reduction in magnetic susceptibility-induced artifacts was achieved with SENSE EPI compared to the standard EPI eight-channel coil acquisition at 3T.

Unaliasing lipid contamination for MR spectroscopic imaging of gliomas at 3T using sensitivity encoding (SENSE)

3D magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) has been successfully employed to extract information about brain tumor metabolism, such as cell membrane breakdown, cellular energetics, and neuronal integrity, through its ability to differentiate signals coming from choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), and N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) molecules. The additional presence of lipids within subregions of the tumor may indicate cellular membrane breakdown due to cell death. Another potential source of lipids is subcutaneous fat, which may be excited with point-resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) volume selection and aliased into the spectral field of view (FOV) due to the chemical shift artifact and the low bandwidth of the selection pulses. The purpose of our study was to employ a postprocessing method for unaliasing lipid resonances originating from in-slice subcutaneous lipids from the 3D MRSI of gliomas at 3T, using an eight-channel phased-array coil and sensitivity encoding (SENSE).

Measurement of in vivo multi-component T2 relaxation times for brain tissue using multi-slice T2 prep at 1.5 and 3 T

The objective of this study was to implement a clinically relevant multi-slice multi-echo imaging sequence in order to quantify multi-component T2 relaxation times for normal volunteers at both 1.5 and 3 T. Multi-echo data were fitted using a nonnegative least square algorithm. Twelve echo data with nonlinear echo sampling were acquired using a receive-only eight-channel phased array coil and volume head coil for phantoms and normal volunteers, and compared to 32-echo data with linear echo sampling. It was observed that the performance of the 180 degrees refocusing trains was more spatially uniform for the receive-only eight-channel phased array coil than for the head coil, particularly at 3 T. The phantom study showed that the estimated T2 relaxation times were accurate and reproducible for both single- and multi-slice acquisition from a commercial phantom with known T2 relaxation times. Short T2 components (T2 <50 ms) were mainly observed within the white matter for normal volunteers, and the fraction of short T2 water components (i.e., myelin water) was 7-12% of total water. It was observed that the calculated myelin water fraction map from the nonlinearly sampled 12-echo data was comparable with that from the linearly sampled 32-echo data. Quantification of T2 relaxation times from multi-slice images was accomplished with a clinically acceptable scan times (16 min) for normal volunteers by using a nonselective T2 prep imaging sequence. The use of the eight-channel head coil involved more accurate quantification of T2 relaxation times particularly when the number of echoes was limited.

Multislice and multicoil phase‐sensitive inversion‐recovery imaging

Phase-sensitive inversion-recovery (PSIR) imaging may provide enhanced T(1) contrast. However, clinical implementation of PSIR imaging is hindered because image reconstruction with this method often lacks robustness and requires manual intervention, particularly for data acquired in multiple slices and with phased-array coils. In this paper, a new algorithm suitable for automatic PSIR image reconstruction of multislice and multicoil data is presented. This algorithm phase corrects by region-growing, employing both the magnitude and the phase information of image pixels. Specifically, phase gradients of the original complex image are first calculated and then used to determine the sequence of the region-growing. The signal direction relating to the phase error for each pixel is then determined during the region-growing using both the magnitude and the phase of the previously determined pixels that are located within a boxcar neighborhood of the pixel. Finally, the intrinsic intercoil and interslice correlation is exploited to ensure consistency in the global polarity of all of the PSIR images. The results are demonstrated with in vivo human brain images acquired at 3 Tesla with an eight-channel phased-array coil.