Radial Gradient Echo Sequence Research Articles

Rational approximation of golden angles: Accelerated reconstructions for radial MRI.

To develop a generic radial sampling scheme that combines the advantages of golden ratio sampling with simplicity of equidistant angular patterns. The irrational angle between consecutive spokes in golden ratio-based sampling schemes enables a flexible retrospective choice of temporal resolution, while preserving good coverage of k-space for each individual bin. Nevertheless, irrational increments prohibit precomputation of the point-spread function (PSF), can lead to numerical problems, and require more complex processing steps. To avoid these problems, a new sampling scheme based on a rational approximation of golden angles (RAGA) is developed. The theoretical properties of RAGA sampling are mathematically derived. Sidelobe-to-peak ratios (SPR) are numerically computed and compared to the corresponding golden ratio sampling schemes. The sampling scheme is implemented in the BART toolbox and in a radial gradient-echo sequence. Feasibility is shown for quantitative imaging in a phantom and a cardiac scan of a healthy volunteer. RAGA sampling can accurately approximate golden ratio sampling and has almost identical PSF and SPR. In contrast to golden ratio sampling, each frame can be reconstructed with the same equidistant trajectory using different sampling masks, and the angle of each acquired spoke can be encoded as a small index, which simplifies processing of the acquired data. RAGA sampling provides the advantages of golden ratio sampling while simplifying data processing, rendering it a valuable tool for dynamic and quantitative MRI.

Free-breathing time-resolved 4D MRI with improved T1-weighting contrast.

This work proposes MP-Grasp4D (magnetization-prepared golden-angle radial sparse parallel 4D) MRI, a free-breathing, inversion recovery (IR)-prepared, time-resolved 4D MRI technique with improved T1-weighted contrast. MP-Grasp4D MRI acquisition incorporates IR preparation into a radial gradient echo sequence. MP-Grasp4D employs a golden-angle navi-stack-of-stars sampling scheme, where imaging data of rotating radial stacks and navigator stacks (acquired at a consistent rotation angle) are alternately acquired. The navigator stacks are used to estimate a temporal basis for low-rank subspace-constrained reconstruction. This allows for the simultaneous capture of both IR-induced contrast changes and respiratory motion. One temporal frame of the imaging volume in MP-Grasp4D MRI is reconstructed from a single stack and an adjacent navigator stack on average, resulting in a nominal temporal resolution of 0.16 seconds per volume. Images corresponding to the optimal inversion time (TI) can be retrospectively selected for providing the best image contrast. Reader studies were conducted to assess the performance of MP-Grasp4D MRI in liver imaging across 30 subjects in comparison with standard Grasp4D MRI without IR preparation. MP-Grasp4D MRI received significantly higher scores (P < 0.05) than Grasp4D in all assessment categories. There was a moderate to almost perfect agreement (kappa coefficient from 0.42 to 0.9) between the two readers for image quality assessment. When the scan time is reduced, MP-Grasp4D MRI preserves image contrast and quality, demonstrating additional acceleration capability. MP-Grasp4D MRI improves T1-weighted contrast for free-breathing time-resolved 4D MRI and eliminates the need for explicit motion compensation. This method is expected to be valuable in different MRI applications such as MR-guided radiotherapy.

FLASHlight MRI in real time-a step towards Star Trek medicine.

This work describes a dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique for local scanning of the human body with use of a handheld receive coil or coil array. Real-time MRI is based on highly undersampled radial gradient-echo sequences with joint reconstructions of serial images and coil sensitivity maps by regularized nonlinear inversion (NLINV). For this proof-of-concept study, a fixed slice position and field-of-view (FOV) were predefined from the operating console, while a local receive coil (array) is moved across the body-for the sake of simplicity by the subject itself. Experimental realizations with a conventional 3 T magnet comprise dynamic anatomic imaging of the head, thorax and abdomen of healthy volunteers. Typically, the image resolution was 0.75 to 1.5 mm with 3 to 6 mm section thickness and acquisition times of 33 to 100 ms per frame. However, spatiotemporal resolutions and contrasts are highly variable and may be adjusted to clinical needs. In summary, the proposed FLASHlight MRI method provides a robust acquisition and reconstruction basis for future diagnostic strategies that mimic the usage of ultrasound. Necessary extensions for this vision require remote control of all sequence parameters by a person at the scanner as well as the design of more flexible gradients and magnets.

Real-time magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric radiology \u2014 new approach to movement and moving children

The recent development of highly undersampled radial gradient echo sequences in combination with nonlinear inverse image reconstruction now allows for MRI examinations in real time. Image acquisition times as short as 20 ms yield MRI videos with rates of up to 50 frames per second with spin density, T1- and T2-type contrast. The addition of an initial 180° inversion pulse achieves accurate T1 mapping within only 4 s. These technical advances promise specific advantages for studies of infants and young children by eliminating the need for sedation or anesthesia. Our preliminary data demonstrate new diagnostic opportunities ranging from dynamic studies of speech and swallowing processes and body movements to a rapid volumetric assessment of brain cerebrospinal fluid spaces in only few seconds. Real-time MRI of the heart and blood flow can be performed without electrocardiogram gating and under free breathing. The present findings support the idea that real-time MRI will complement existing methods by providing long-awaited diagnostic options for patients in early childhood. Major advantages are the avoidance of sedation or anesthesia and the yet unexplored potential to gain insights into arbitrary body functions.

Delayed contrast dynamics as marker of regional impairment in pulmonary fibrosis using 5D MRI - a pilot study

To analyse delayed contrast dynamics of fibrotic lesions in interstitial lung disease (ILD) using five dimensional (5D) MRI and to correlate contrast dynamics with disease severity. 20 patients (mean age: 71 years; M:F, 13:7), with chronic fibrosing ILD: n = 12 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and n = 8 non-IPF, underwent thin-section multislice CT as part of the standard diagnostic workup and additionally MRI of the lung. 2 min after contrast injection, a radial gradient echo sequence with golden-angle spacing was acquired during 5 min of free-breathing, followed by 5D image reconstruction. Disease was categorized as severe or non-severe according to CT morphological regional severity. For each patient, 10 lesions were analysed. IPF lesions showed later peak enhancement compared to non-IPF (severe: p = 0.01, non-severe: p = 0.003). Severe lesions showed later peak enhancement compared to non-severe lesions, in non-IPF (p = 0.04), but not in IPF (p = 0.35). There was a tendency towards higher accumulation and washout rates in IPF compared to non-IPF in non-severe disease. Severe lesions had lower washout rate than non-severe ones in both IPF (p = 0.003) and non-IPF (p = 0.005). Continuous contrast agent accumulation, without washout, was found only in IPF lesions. Contrast agent dynamics are influenced by type and severity of pulmonary fibrosis, which might enable a more thorough characterisation of disease burden. The regional impairment is of particular interest in the context of antifibrotic treatments and was characterised using a non-invasive, non-irradiating, free-breathing method. Delayed contrast enhancement patterns allow the assessment of regional lung impairment which could represent different disease stages or phenotypes in ILD.

Inferior vena cava revisited - Real-time flow MRI of respiratory maneuvers.

Recent MRI studies of blood flow in the inferior vena cava (IVC) resulted in findings which are inconsistent with earlier observations by invasive procedures - most likely because ECG-gated MRI techniques are unable to resolve dynamic adjustments due to respiration. The purpose of this work was to apply real-time phase-contrast MRI at 50 ms resolution to re-evaluate IVC flow in response to normal and deep breathing as well as breath holding and Valsalva maneuver (11 young healthy subjects). Real-time flow MRI relied on highly undersampled radial gradient-echo sequences and a model-based nonlinear inverse reconstruction. A frequency analysis of the predominant pulsatility classified IVC flow in individual subjects as "cardiac", "respiratory" or "mixed" type. Peak flow velocities during free breathing ranged from 30 to 58 cm s-1 , while flow rates varied from 15 to 37 ml s-1 . The subject-specific IVC flow pattern persists during deep breathing although the enhanced respiratory influence may shift subjects form "cardiac" to "mixed" or from "mixed" to "respiratory" type. Peak velocities increased relative to normal breathing but led to similar flow rates of 16 to 34 ml s-1 . Inspiration during deep breathing elicited brief periods of flow reversal in all subjects with mean peak velocities of -21 cm s-1 . The observation of only mildly flattened parabolic velocity distributions within the IVC indicated mostly laminar flow. Breath holding reduced blood flow velocities and rates by more than 40% on average, while Valsalva maneuvers completely abolished venous return. In conclusion, IVC blood flow is dominated by the acquired respiratory behavior of individual subjects and its pressure-induced alterations relative to cardiac pulsation. The responses to breath holding and Valsalva maneuver are in full agreement with previous invasive observations of reduced or even ceased flow, respectively.

Rapid and motion-robust volume coverage using cross-sectional real-time MRI.

To develop a rapid and motion-robust technique for volumetric MRI, which is based on cross-sectional real-time MRI acquisitions with automatic advancement of the slice position. Real-time MRI with a frame-by-frame moving cross-section is performed with use of highly undersampled radial gradient-echo sequences offering spin density, T1 , or T2 /T1 contrast. Joint reconstructions of serial images and coil sensitivity maps from spatially overlapping sections are accomplished by nonlinear inversion with regularization to the preceding section-formally identical to dynamic real-time MRI. Shifting each frame by 20% to 25% of the section thickness ensures 75% to 80% overlap of successive sections. Acquisition times of 40 to 67 ms allow for rates of 15 to 25 sections per second, while volumes are defined by the number of cross-sections times the section shift. Preliminary realizations at 3T comprise studies of the human brain, carotid arteries, liver, and prostate. Typically, coverage of a 90- to 180-mm volume at 0.8- to 1.2-mm in-plane resolution, 4- to 6-mm section thickness, and 0.8- to 1.5-mm section shift is accomplished within total measuring times of 4 to 6 seconds and a section speed of 15 to 37.5 mm per second. However, spatiotemporal resolution, contrast including options such as fat saturation and total measuring time are highly variable and may be adjusted to clinical needs. Promising volumetric applications range from fetal MRI to dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. The proposed method allows for rapid and motion-robust volume coverage in a variety of imaging scenarios.

Cerebral sodium (23Na) magnetic resonance imaging in patients with migraine — a case-control study

Evaluation of MRI-derived cerebral 23Na concentrations in patients with migraine in comparison with healthy controls. In this case-control study, 24 female migraine patients (mean age, 34 ± 11years) were enrolled after evaluation of standardized questionnaires. Half (n = 12) of the cohort suffered from migraine, the other half was impaired by both migraine and tension-type headaches (TTH). The combined patient cohort was matched to 12 healthy female controls (mean age, 34 ± 11years). All participants underwent a cerebral 23Na-magnetic resonance imaging examination at 3.0T, which included a T1w MP-RAGE sequence and a 3D density-adapted, radial gradient echo sequence for 23Na imaging. Circular regions of interests were placed in predetermined anatomic regions: cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), gray and white matter, brain stem, and cerebellum. External 23Na reference phantoms were used to calculate the total 23Na tissue concentrations. Pearson's correlation, Kendall Tau, and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for statistical analysis. 23Na concentrations of all patients in the CSF were significantly higher than in healthy controls (p < 0.001). The CSF of both the migraine and mixed migraine/TTH group showed significantly increased sodium concentrations compared to the control group (p = 0.007 and p < 0.001). Within the patient cohort, a positive correlation between pain level and TSC in the CSF (r = 0.62) could be observed. MRI-derived cerebral 23Na concentrations in the CSF of migraine patients were found to be statistically significantly higher than in healthy controls. • Cerebral sodium MRI supports the theory of ionic imbalances and may aid in the challenging pathophysiologic understanding of migraine. • Case-control study shows significantly higher sodium concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid of migraineurs. • Cerebral sodium MRI may become a non-invasive imaging tool for drugs to modulate sodium, and hence migraine, on a molecular level, and influence patient management.

Spoiling without additional gradients: Radial FLASH MRI with randomized radiofrequency phases.

To develop a method for spoiling transverse magnetizations without additional gradients to minimize repetition times for radial fast low angle shot (FLASH) MRI. Residual steady state transverse magnetizations and corresponding image artifacts were analyzed for radial gradient echo sequences with constant and randomized RF phases in comparison with a sequence with refocused frequency-encoding gradients, constant spoiler gradient, and conventional RF spoiling (gold standard). The spoiling performance was assessed for different radial trajectories using numerical simulations, phantom experiments, and in vivo MRI studies of the human brain. Simulations as well as phantom and in vivo measurements reveal a highly efficient spoiling capacity for randomized RF phases and radial FLASH sequences without the need for gradient rewinding and spoiler gradients. The data also demonstrate a strong dependence of the spoiling performance on the chosen radial trajectory (ie, the azimuthal angular increment between successive projections) with excellent results for an interleaved multiturn scheme. Effective spoiling of transverse magnetizations in radial FLASH MRI may be achieved by randomized RF phases without additional spoiler gradients. The technique allows for short repetition times as required for high-speed real-time MRI.

Acceleration of MRI of the vocal tract provides additional insight into articulator modifications

To accelerate dynamic imaging of the vocal tract during articulation. Five subjects were imaged by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) while repeating the word "Partikel" at 90 beats per minute, using both a radio-frequency-spoiled radial gradient echo sequence with golden angle projection rotation and a previously applied real-time Cartesian sequence. The acquired data were reconstructed using a CG-SENSE method and Cartesian reconstruction. The images from both methods were compared by measuring distances between anatomical landmarks that are important for resonance behavior of the vocal tract. Only commonly available hardware and software were used. With the presented radial method a spatial resolution of 1.8 mm at 25 frames per second could be achieved. Overall, the morphometric measurements of the vocal tract showed less deviation for the radial sequence both across repetitions and for all subjects. Fast modifications, such as complete lip closing, could be analyzed with greater fidelity using the high temporal resolution of the radial sequence. The results indicate that higher temporal resolution is a necessity to catch fast morphometric changes in the vocal tract.

On the Temporal Fidelity of Nonlinear Inverse Reconstructions for Real- Time MRI – The Motion Challenge

Purpose: To evaluate the temporal accuracy of a self-consistent nonlinear inverse reconstruction method (NLINV) for real-time MRI using highly undersampled radial gradient-echo sequences and to present an open source framework for the motion assessment of real-time MRI methods. Methods: Serial image reconstructions by NLINV combine a joint estimation of individual frames and corresponding coil sensitivities with temporal regularization to a preceding frame. The temporal fidelity of the method was determined with a phantom consisting of water-filled tubes rotating at defined angular velocity. The conditions tested correspond to real-time cardiac MRI using SSFP contrast at 1.5 T (40 ms resolution) and T1 contrast at 3.0 T (33 ms and 18 ms resolution). In addition, the performance of a post-processing temporal median filter was evaluated. Results: NLINV reconstructions without temporal filtering yield accurate estimations as long as the speed of a small moving object corresponds to a spatial displacement during the acquisition of a single frame which is smaller than the object itself. Faster movements may lead to geometric distortions. For small objects moving at high velocity, a median filter may severely compromise the spatiotemporal accuracy. Conclusion: NLINV reconstructions offer excellent temporal fidelity as long as the image acquisition time is short enough to adequately sample (“freeze”) the object movement. Temporal filtering should be applied with caution. The motion framework emerges as a valuable tool for the evaluation of real-time MRI methods.

Real time cardiac MRI and its clinical usefulness in arrhythmias and wall motion abnormalities

Background Analysis of cardiac function in patients with arrhythmias is very limited or nearly impossible in ECG synchronized cine acquisitions with balanced SSFP. A real-time method at 1.5 T with SSFP contrast was used to show that this method is superior for image quality and analysis of ventricular function in a subset of patients with atrial fibrillation and AV-Block. Methods Radial gradient-echo sequences with fully balanced SSFP gradients and at least 15-fold undersampling (real-time SSFP, RT) and conventional ECG-synchronized cine SSFP CMR (Cine) was used on a 1.5 T scanner system. Patients who had permanent arrhythmias (most often atrial fibrillation, AA; n = 8) or wall motion abnormalities (WMA; n = 3) were scanned in the standard views and compared to patients in sinus rhythm (SR;n = 21) without wall motion abnormalities. Image reconstruction of RT was performed offline by regularized nonlinear inversion. Quality (IQ) of scan was detected using an image quality score (ranging from 0 = no diagnostic quality to 1 = reduced diagnostic quality, 2 = many artifacts, 3 = some artifacts, and 4 = optimal diagnostic quality). Cardiac function was analyzed using a semiautomatic contour detection (Q mass, Medis, NL) applied to 5 consecutive baets in RT and Cine avering data of 10-12 beats. All analysis was done by two blinded observers (3 and 8 years experience of CMR evaluation). Results IQ was comparable for Cine and RT SSFP in patients with WMA or patients in sinus rhythm without WMA given in Table 1. However, IQ was significantly better

Free-breathing dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of the abdomen and chest using a radial gradient echo sequence with K-space weighted image contrast (KWIC)

To evaluate the feasibility of free-breathing, dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI of the abdomen and thorax using the radial-gradient-echo sequence with k-space weighted image contrast (KWIC) reconstruction. Institutional review board approval was obtained. Fourteen patients underwent free-breathing radial DCE-MRI. Radial MRI yielded full-frame images by gridding all k-space data and time-resolved subframe images by using KWIC reconstruction technique. Using subframe KWIC images, voxel-wise perfusion maps were created. For comparison, the breath-hold conventional Cartesian 3D-gradient-echo sequence (VIBE) was also performed during the equilibrium phase. The image qualities of radial and conventional VIBE images were compared quantitatively and qualitatively. Radial DCE-MRI provided high spatial resolution (1.4 × 1.4 mm) and temporal resolution (4.1 s for subframe images) allowing voxel-wise perfusion mapping with negligible motion or streaking artefacts. There were no significant differences in SNR between full-frame radial images and conventional VIBE images (79.08 vs 74.80, P > 0.05). Overall image quality score of full-frame radial images was slightly lower than that of conventional VIBE images (3.88 ± 0.59 vs. 4.31 ± 0.97, P < 0.05), but provided clinically useful images. The free-breathing radial DCE-MRI can provide high spatial and temporal resolution while maintaining reasonably high image quality and thus is a feasible technique for DCE-MRI in the abdomen and thorax. • Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE) MRI is important in oncological imaging • Radial MRI with k-space weighted image contrast (KWIC) reconstruction offers potential improvements • Radial DCE-MRI provides good image quality, reduced artefacts and high spatial/temporal resolution.

Quantitative and Qualitative23Na MR Imaging of the Human Kidneys at 3 T: Before and after a Water Load

To qualitatively and quantitatively assess the corticomedullary sodium 23 ((23)Na) concentration in human kidneys before and after oral administration of a water load by using 3-T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Fourteen healthy volunteers (mean age, 28 years; range, 24-34 years) were included in this institutional review board-approved study between July and December 2009. For (23)Na MR imaging, a density-adapted three-dimensional radial gradient echo sequence (echo time, 0.55 msec; repetition time, 120 msec; spatial resolution, 5 × 5 × 5 mm) was used with a dedicated (23)Na-tuned coil. Beforehand, the coil profile was assessed by using phantom measurements, and the volunteer images were mathematically corrected accordingly. Images of the volunteers were obtained before and 30 minutes after oral ingestion of 1 L of water. As internal reference, (23)Na concentration of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was calculated. Well-defined corticomedullary complexes in each kidney were assessed, with (23)Na concentrations in the cortex and medulla assessed at various standardized points. From these values, quantitative (23)Na concentrations were derived, and the slopes of the linear portion of the concentration gradient were calculated. Paired t tests were performed. Mean calculated (23)Na concentrations of CSF before (135.2 mmol/L ± 10.4) and after water load (135.5 mmol/L ± 11.0) fell within physiologic ranges (P = .95). An increase in average (23)Na concentration from 63.5 mmol/L ± 9.3 in the cortex to 108.0 mmol/L ± 10.9 in the medulla was identified. After the water load, this gradient was preserved, although (23)Na concentrations decreased significantly (P < .0001) to 48.6 mmol/L ± 5.3 in the cortex and 81.9 mmol/L ± 10.1 in the medulla-declines of 23.4% and 24.7%, respectively. This study demonstrates the physiologic evaluation of human kidneys with 3-T (23)Na MR imaging. The (23)Na imaging technique used allows the quantification of the corticomedullary (23)Na concentration and the assessment of its change with differing physiologic conditions.

Short echo‐time 3D radial gradient‐echo MRI using concurrent dephasing and excitation

Ultrashort echo-time imaging and sweep imaging with Fourier transformation are powerful techniques developed for imaging ultrashort T(2) species. However, it can be challenging to implement them on standard clinical MRI systems due to demanding hardware requirements. In this article, the limits of what is possible in terms of the minimum echo-time and repetition time with 3D radial gradient-echo sequences, which can be readily implemented on a standard clinical scanner, are investigated. Additionally, a new 3D radial gradient-echo sequence is introduced, called COncurrent Dephasing and Excitation (CODE). The unique feature of CODE is that the initial dephasing of the readout gradient is performed during RF excitation, which allows CODE to effectively achieve echo-times on the order of ∼0.2 ms and larger in a clinical setting. The minimum echo-time achievable with CODE is analytically described and compared with a standard 3D radial gradient-echo sequence. CODE was implemented on a clinical 3 T scanner (Siemens 3 T MAGNETOM Trio), and both phantom and in vivo human knee images are shown for demonstration.

Brain tissue sodium concentration in multiple sclerosis: a sodium imaging study at 3 tesla

Neuro-axonal degeneration occurs progressively from the onset of multiple sclerosis and is thought to be a significant cause of increasing clinical disability. Several histopathological studies of multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis have shown that the accumulation of sodium in axons can promote reverse action of the sodium/calcium exchanger that, in turn, leads to a lethal overload in intra-axonal calcium. We hypothesized that sodium magnetic resonance imaging would provide an indicator of cellular and metabolic integrity and ion homeostasis in patients with multiple sclerosis. Using a three-dimensional radial gradient-echo sequence with short echo time, we performed sodium magnetic resonance imaging at 3 T in 17 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and in 13 normal subjects. The absolute total tissue sodium concentration was measured in lesions and in several areas of normal-appearing white and grey matter in patients, and corresponding areas of white and grey matter in controls. A mixed model analysis of covariance was performed to compare regional tissue sodium concentration levels in patients and controls. Spearman correlations were used to determine the association of regional tissue sodium concentration levels in T(2)- and T(1)-weighted lesions with measures of normalized whole brain and grey and white matter volumes, and with expanded disability status scale scores. In patients, tissue sodium concentration levels were found to be elevated in acute and chronic lesions compared to areas of normal-appearing white matter (P < 0.0001). The tissue sodium concentration levels in areas of normal-appearing white matter were significantly higher than those in corresponding white matter regions in healthy controls (P < 0.0001). The tissue sodium concentration value averaged over lesions and over regions of normal-appearing white and grey matter was positively associated with T(2)-weighted (P < or = 0.001 for all) and T(1)-weighted (P < or = 0.006 for all) lesion volumes. In patients, only the tissue sodium concentration value averaged over regions of normal-appearing grey matter was negatively associated with the normalized grey matter volume (P = 0.0009). Finally, the expanded disability status scale score showed a mild, positive association with the mean tissue sodium concentration value in chronic lesions (P = 0.002), in regions of normal-appearing white matter (P = 0.004) and normal-appearing grey matter (P = 0.002). This study shows the feasibility of using in vivo sodium magnetic resonance imaging at 3 T in patients with multiple sclerosis. Our findings suggest that the abnormal values of the tissue sodium concentration in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis might reflect changes in cellular composition of the lesions and/or changes in cellular and metabolic integrity. Sodium magnetic resonance imaging has the potential to provide insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms of tissue injury when correlation with histopathology becomes available.