FFE Images Research Articles

Deep Learning Reconstruction Helps to Achieve Diagnostic-like Image Quality in MR Radiation Therapy of Brain

Deep Learning Reconstruction Helps to Achieve Diagnostic-like Image Quality in MR Radiation Therapy of Brain

Semi-automated Segmentation of Lungs Using the k-means Method in Cine MRI

Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides essential information on the respiratory kinetics in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), such as impaired diaphragm and chest wall motions. The purpose of this study was to develop the semi-automated segmentation program of lungs using cine MRI. We enrolled five control participants and five patients with COPD who underwent cine MRI. The coronal balanced FFE images from each subject were used. The procedures were as follows: First, the maximum inspiratory image was selected from the time-sequential series, and the lung area was manually segmented, which was used for a mask image. Second, both mask image and cine image were accumulated to create a weighted cine image. Lung areas were segmented using the k-means method. Finally, lungs were detected as contiguous image regions with similar signal values using the flood-fill technique. We evaluated the correlation coefficients between the lung area segmented by the semi-automated method and those segmented by a pulmonologist. The correlation coefficients between the semi-automated method and the manual segmentations were excellent (r=0.99, p<0.001). The Dice index was also perfect (0.97). The best number of clusters in the k-means method was 8. These results suggested that the new segmentation method can appropriately extract lungs and help analyze respiratory dynamics in patients with COPD.

Three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequence for visualisation of subthalamic nucleus for deep brain stimulation in Parkinson’s disease

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an accepted treatment for advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). However, targeting the STN is difficult due to its relatively small size and variable location. The purpose of this study was to assess which of the following sequences obtained with the 3.0 T MR system can accurately delineate the STN: coronal 3D fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), 2D T2*-weighted fast-field echo (T2*-FFE) and 2D T2-weighted turbo spin-echo (TSE) sequences. We included 20 consecutive patients with PD who underwent 3.0 T MR for DBS targeting. 3D FLAIR, 2D T2*-FFE and T2-TSE images were obtained for all study patients. Image quality and demarcation of the STN were analysed using 4-point scales, and contrast ratio (CR) of the STN and normal white matter was calculated. The Friedman test was used to compare the three sequences. In qualitative analysis, the 2D T2*-FFE image showed more artefacts than 3D FLAIR or 2D T2-TSE, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. 3D FLAIR images showed significantly superior demarcation of the STN compared with 2D T2*-FFE and T2-TSE images (P < 0.001, respectively). The CR of 3D FLAIR was significantly higher than that of 2D T2*-FFE or T2-TSE images in multiple comparison correction (P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in the CR between 2D T2*-FFE and T2-TSE images. Coronal 3D FLAIR images showed the most accurate demarcation of the STN for DBS targeting among coronal 3D FLAIR, 2D T2*-FFE and T2-TSE images.

Abstract 249: Stationary Signal and Flow Velocity Assessment by MRI of a New Nitinol Nanocomposite Polymer Stent-Graft

Objective: To assess MRI compatibility and suitability of a new sutureless stent-graft made from Nitinol bonded to nanocomposite polymer (NP). Methods: 1. Using MRI and Magnevist contrast, isotropic 3D T1-weighted FFE images of NP stent-graft were acquired to observe artefacts and stationary signal attenuation. Average signal magnitude was calculated. Medtronic ValiantTM was used as control. 2. In second stage, steady flow phantom was setup for flow-encoded MRI signal assessment of both stent-grafts. Baseline values were obtained by velocity measurements without stent-graft using identical settings. 2D through-plane phase contrast images were acquired and average velocity and amount of flow (flux) were calculated. Results: On static assessment of NP and ValiantTM stent-grafts no significant image artefacts were seen. The signal inside and outside the ValiantTM stent-graft was 644.2(SD 36.2) and 659.6(SD 85.8) respectively. The signal attenuation for this device was 2.39%. The signal inside and outside the NP stent graft was 1561.7(SD 31.2) and 1595.5(SD 40.8) respectively with comparable signal attenuation of 2.16%. In MRI velocity attenuation study, steady flow phantom was set at mean volume of 105.3 ml and mean velocity of 79.5 cm/sec. Flux measured in ValiantTM stent-graft was 102±2.27 ml/sec with no significant difference to baseline (104±1.98 ml/sec; P=0.892). Similarly flux for NP stent-graft at mean stroke volume 104.4 ml and mean velocity of 92.3 cm/sec showed no difference to baseline (99.8±2.4 vs. 104±0.96 ml/sec; P=0.176). There was no significant difference in flux between Medtronic and NP stent-grafts (102±2.27 vs. 99.8±2.4 ml/sec; P=0.328). Conclusion: NP stent-graft does not display any material-induced artefacts on MRI. On flow assessment, signal attenuation is comparable with the commercial device. These properties are important in developing this stent-graft, compliant, durable, visco-elastic, biocompatible and anti-thrombogenic, for future clinical use.

7 Tesla MR imaging of the human eye in vivo

To develop a protocol which optimizes contrast, resolution and scan time for three-dimensional (3D) imaging of the human eye in vivo using a 7 Tesla (T) scanner and custom radio frequency (RF) coil. Initial testing was conducted to reduce motion and susceptibility artifacts. Three-dimensional FFE and IR-TFE images were obtained with variable flip angles and TI times. T(1) measurements were made and numerical simulations were performed to determine the ideal contrast of certain ocular structures. Studies were performed to optimize resolution and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with scan times from 20 s to 5 min. Motion and susceptibility artifacts were reduced through careful subject preparation. T(1) values of the ocular structures are in line with previous work at 1.5T. A voxel size of 0.15 x 0.25 x 1.0 mm(3) was obtained with a scan time of approximately 35 s for both 3D FFE and IR-TFE sequences. Multiple images were registered in 3D to produce final SNRs over 40. Optimization of pulse sequences and avoidance of susceptibility and motion artifacts led to high quality images with spatial resolution and SNR exceeding prior work. Ocular imaging at 7T with a dedicated coil improves the ability to make measurements of the fine structures of the eye.

High‐resolution 7T MRI of the human hippocampus in vivo

To describe an initial experience imaging the human hippocampus in vivo using a 7T magnetic resonance (MR) scanner and a protocol developed for very high field neuroimaging. Six normal subjects were scanned on a 7T whole body MR scanner equipped with a 16-channel head coil. Sequences included a full field of view T1-weighted 3D turbo field echo (T1W 3D TFE: time of acquisition (TA)=08:58), T2*-weighted 2D fast field echo (T2*W 2D FFE: TA=05:20), and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI: TA=04:20). SWI data were postprocessed using a minimum intensity projection (minIP) algorithm. Total imaging time was 23 minutes. T1W 3D TFE images with 700 microm isotropic voxels provided excellent anatomic depiction of macroscopic hippocampal structures. T2*W 2D FFE images with 0.5 mm in-plane resolution and 2.5 mm slice thickness provided clear discrimination of the Cornu Ammonis and the compilation of adjacent sublayers of the hippocampus. SWI images (0.5 mm in-plane resolution, 1.0 mm slice thickness) delineated microvenous anatomy of the hippocampus. In vivo 7T MR imaging can take advantage of higher signal-to-noise and novel contrast mechanisms to provide increased conspicuity of hippocampal anatomy.

Hemophilic arthropathy of the knee joint: static and dynamic Gd-DTPA ? enhanced MRI

A total of 17 patients with hemophilic arthropathy of the knee joint were studied with static and dynamic MRI before and after an IV bolus injection of Gadolinium-DTPA (Gd-DTPA; 0.1 mmol/kg body weight). The T1-weighted spin-echo (SE) and gradient-echo (fast-field echo [FFE]) sequences were applied. The FFE sequences of eight consecutive scans carried out over a time interval of 160 s were used in order to determine the time to signal intensity (SI) curves of the synovial proliferations surrounding soft tissue, bone marrow, and joint effusion. After the administration of a contrast agent, synovial proliferations exhibited an increase on FFE and SE images of 47.7 % (SD ± 14.3 %) and 37.4 % (SD ± 11.2 %), respectively, whereas muscle and fatty tissue, tendons, bone marrow, and joint effusion revealed only a minor increase in SI. The gradient of SI (ratio SI/time) of pannus was 39.6 %/min (SD ± 7.7 %/min) and differed significantly (P < 0.001) from that of bone marrow, fatty tissue, muscle tissue, tendons, and joint effusion (P < 0.05). In contrast to synovial proliferations in rheumatoid arthritis, no differentiation between various pannus vascularities based on the degree of enhancement was possible. The Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI studies delineate and quantify the synovial proliferations in hemophilic arthropathy. Dynamic studies in hemophilic arthropathy do not provide qualitative assessment of the inflammatory process.

Hämophile Arthropathie des Kniegelenkes

17 patients with hemophilic arthropathy of the knee joint were studied with static and dynamic MRT before and after i.v. bolus injection of Gadolinium-DTPA (0.1 mmol/kg body weight). After contrast enhancement, synovial proliferations exhibited an increase of signal intensity (SI) on FFE and SE images of 47.7% and 37.4% respectively, whereas muscle and fatty tissue, tendons, bone marrow and joint effusion revealed only minor increase in SI. The gradient of signal intensity (ratio SI/time) of pannus was 39.6%/min. Gd-DTPA enhanced MRI studies delineate and quantify the synovial proliferations in hemophilic arthropathy. Dynamic studies in hemophilic arthropathy do not provide qualitative assessment of the inflammatory process.

Appearance of poststenotic jets in MRI: Dependence on flow velocity and on imaging parameters

A flow model was used to study the appearance of poststenotic jets in MRI. Jets in CuSO 4-doped water and bovine blood were imaged by spin-echo (SE) and fast-field-echo (FFE) pulse sequences at different degrees of stenosis and various flow rates. On flow-compensated FFE images, the jets were characterized by signal void if the mean flow velocity within the stenosis exceeded a limit, which was independent of the degree of the stenosis and the type of the fluid. On SE images and on FFE images without flow compensation, signal void occurred at significantly lower flow velocity. The extension of the poststenotic signal void on flow-compensated FFE images was increased by either reduction of the pixel diameter or by prolongation of the echo time. However, it was independent of the orientation of the imaging plane relative to the direction of flow. The results have an impact on attempts to use signal void for the assessment of turbulent jets with MRI.

Rapid MR tomography of the liver. Technic and initial results

The fast-field-echo (FFE) sequence provides a new rapid imaging method for MR tomography. By using gradient echoes with shorter high frequency pulse repetitions than conventional sequences with 180 degrees echo pulses, it is possible to produce single cuts in 10 to 20 s with good signal-to-noise ratio. In this way the liver can be examined while respiratory movement artifacts are reduced. The possibility of obtaining T1- and T 2-weighted FFE images with good contrast resolution and the ability to determine relaxation times suggests a wide application of this rapid imaging procedure in the diagnosis of liver disease.