Variable Echo Time Research Articles

Unbiased and reproducible liver MRI-PDFF estimation using a scan protocol-informed deep learning method.

To estimate proton density fat fraction (PDFF) from chemical shift encoded (CSE) MR images using a deep learning (DL)-based method that is precise and robust to different MR scanners and acquisition echo times (TEs). Variable echo times neural network (VET-Net) is a two-stage framework that first estimates nonlinear variables of the CSE-MR signal model, to posteriorly estimate water/fat signal components using the least-squares method. VET-Net incorporates a vector with TEs as an auxiliary input, therefore enabling PDFF calculation with any TE setting. A single-site liver CSE-MRI dataset (188 subjects, 4146 axial slices) was considered, which was split into training (150 subjects), validation (18), and testing (20) subsets. Testing subjects were scanned using several protocols with different TEs, which we then used to measure the PDFF reproducibility coefficient (RDC) at two regions of interest (ROIs): the right posterior and left hepatic lobes. An open-source multi-site and multi-vendor fat-water phantom dataset was also used for PDFF bias assessment. VET-Net showed RDCs of 1.71% and 1.04% on the right posterior and left hepatic lobes, respectively, across different TEs, which was comparable to a reference graph cuts-based method (RDCs = 1.71% and 0.86%). VET-Net also showed a smaller PDFF bias (-0.55%) than graph cuts (0.93%) when tested on a multi-site phantom dataset. Reproducibility (1.94% and 1.59%) and bias (-2.04%) were negatively affected when the auxiliary TE input was not considered. VET-Net provided unbiased and precise PDFF estimations using CSE-MR images from different hardware vendors and different TEs, outperforming conventional DL approaches. Question Reproducibility of liver PDFF DL-based approaches on different scan protocols or manufacturers is not validated. Findings VET-Net showed a PDFF bias of -0.55% on a multi-site phantom dataset, and RDCs of 1.71% and 1.04% at two liver ROIs. Clinical relevance VET-Net provides efficient, in terms of scan and processing times, and unbiased PDFF estimations across different MR scanners and scan protocols, and therefore it can be leveraged to expand the use of MRI-based liver fat quantification to assess hepatic steatosis.

Ultrashort-Echo-Time MRI of the Disco-Vertebral Junction: Modulation of Image Contrast via Echo Subtraction and Echo Times.

The disco-vertebral junction (DVJ) of the lumbar spine contains thin structures with short T2 values, including the cartilaginous endplate (CEP) sandwiched between the bony vertebral endplate (VEP) and the nucleus pulposus (NP). We previously demonstrated that ultrashort-echo-time (UTE) MRI, compared to conventional MRI, is able to depict the tissues at the DVJ with improved contrast. In this study, we sought to further optimize UTE MRI by characterizing the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of these tissues when either single echo or echo subtraction images are used and with varying echo times (TEs). In four cadaveric lumbar spines, we acquired 3D Cones (a UTE sequence) images at varying TEs from 0.032 ms to 16 ms. Additionally, spin echo T1- and T2-weighted images were acquired. The CNRs of CEP-NP and CEP-VEP were measured in all source images and 3D Cones echo subtraction images. In the spin echo images, it was challenging to distinguish the CEP from the VEP, as both had low signal intensity. However, the 3D Cones source images at the shortest TE of 0.032 ms provided an excellent contrast between the CEP and the VEP. As the TE increased, the contrast decreased in the source images. In contrast, the 3D Cones echo subtraction images showed increasing CNR values as the second TE increased, reaching statistical significance when the second TE was above 10 ms (p < 0.05). Our study highlights the feasibility of incorporating UTE MRI for the evaluation of the DVJ and its advantages over conventional spin echo sequences for improving the contrast between the CEP and adjacent tissues. Additionally, modulation of the contrast for the target tissues can be achieved using either source images or subtraction images, as well as by varying the echo times.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Breast Cancer Tissue In Vitro after PDT Therapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is increasingly used in modern medicine. It has found application in the treatment of breast cancer. The most common cancer among women is breast cancer. We collected cancer cells from the breast from the material received after surgery. We focused on tumors that were larger than 10 mm in size. Breast cancer tissues for this quantitative non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study could be seen macroscopically. The current study aimed to present findings on quantitative non-contrast MRI of breast cancer cells post-PDT through the evaluation of relaxation times. The aim of this work was to use and optimize a 1.5 T MRI system. MRI tests were performed using a clinical scanner, namely the OPTIMA MR360 manufactured by General Electric HealthCare. The work included analysis of T1 and T2 relaxation times. This analysis was performed using the MATLAB package (produced by MathWorks). The created application is based on medical MRI images saved in the DICOM3.0 standard. T1 and T2 measurements were subjected to the Shapiro-Wilk test, which showed that both samples belonged to a normal distribution, so a parametric t-test for dependent samples was used to test for between-sample variability. The study included 30 sections tested in 2 stages, with consistent technical parameters. For T1 measurements, 12 scans were performed with varying repetition times (TR) and a constant echo time (TE) of 3 ms. For T2 measurements, 12 scans were performed with a fixed repetition time of 10,000 ms and varying echo times. After treating samples with PpIX disodium salt and bubbling with pure oxygen, PDT irradiation was applied. The cell relaxation time after therapy was significantly shorter than the cell relaxation time before PDT. The cells were exposed to PpIX disodium salt as the administered pharmacological substance. The study showed that the therapy significantly affected tumor cells, which was confirmed by a significant reduction in tumor cell relaxation time on the MRI results.

Statistical analyses of motion-corrupted MRI relaxometry data computed from multiple scans

BackgroundConsistent noise variance across data points (i.e. homoscedasticity) is required to ensure the validity of statistical analyses of MRI data conducted using linear regression methods. However, head motion leads to degradation of image quality, introducing noise heteroscedasticity into ordinary-least square analyses. New methodThe recently introduced QUIQI method restores noise homoscedasticity by means of weighted least square analyses in which the weights, specific for each dataset of an analysis, are computed from an index of motion-induced image quality degradation. QUIQI was first demonstrated in the context of brain maps of the MRI parameter R2 * , which were computed from a single set of images with variable echo time. Here, we extend this framework to quantitative maps of the MRI parameters R1, R2 * , and MTsat, computed from multiple sets of images. ResultsQUIQI restores homoscedasticity in analyses of quantitative MRI data computed from multiple scans. QUIQI allows for optimization of the noise model by using metrics quantifying heteroscedasticity and free energy. Comparison with existing methodsQUIQI restores homoscedasticity more effectively than insertion of an image quality index in the analysis design and yields higher sensitivity than simply removing the datasets most corrupted by head motion from the analysis. ConclusionQUIQI provides an optimal approach to group-wise analyses of a range of quantitative MRI parameter maps that is robust to inherent homoscedasticity.

A simple portable magnetic resonance technique for characterizing circular couette flow of non-Newtonian fluids

In this work, we expand on past portable magnetic resonance flow methods and propose a novel method for characterizing circular (laminar) Couette flow of non-Newtonian fluids. Symmetry of the flow system combined with a constant magnetic field gradient leads to phase interference, affecting the signal magnitude, and net phase cancellation when averaging across the excited slice, preventing the use of phase-sensitive methods. Therefore, we utilize the dependence of signal magnitude at variable echo times and shear rates to characterize rheological properties. Theoretical equations governing the velocity distributions of fluids that obey a simple power-law model are used to obtain integral expressions for signal magnitude. Integral expressions can be simplified by approximating a thin excited slice or complete excitation of the Couette cell depending on experimental parameters. With simple data acquisition and analysis procedures employed, our measurements of the flow behavior indices of non-Newtonian xanthan gum dispersions are in close agreement with conventional rheological magnetic resonance measurements.

Magnetization transfer weighted laminar fMRI with multi-echo FLASH

Laminar functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using the gradient echo (GRE) blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) contrast is prone to signal changes arising from large unspecific venous vessels. Alternatives based on changes of cerebral blood volume (CBV) become more popular since it is expected that this hemodynamic response is dominant in microvasculature. One approach to sensitize the signal toward changes in CBV, and to simultaneously reduce unwanted extravascular (EV) BOLD blurring, is to selectively reduce gray matter (GM) signal via magnetization transfer (MT). In this work, we use off-resonant MT-pulses with a 3D FLASH readout to perform MT-prepared (MT-prep) laminar fMRI of the primary visual cortex (V1) at multiple echo times at 7 T. With a GRE-BOLD contrast without additional MT-weighting as reference, we investigated the influence of the MT-preparation on the shape and the echo time dependency of laminar profiles. Through numerical simulations, we optimized the sequence parameters to increase the sensitivity toward signal changes induced by changes in arterial CBV and to delineate the contributions of different compartments to the signal. We show that at 7 T, GM signals can be reduced by 30 %. Our laminar fMRI responses exhibit an increased signal change in the parenchyma at very short TE compared to a BOLD-only reference as a result of reduced EV signal intensity. By varying echo times, we could show that MT-prep results in less sensitivity toward unwanted signal changes based on changes in T2*. We conclude that when accounting for nuclear overhauser enhancement effects in blood, off-resonant MT-prep combined with efficient short TE readouts can become a promising method to reduce unwanted EV venous contributions in GRE-BOLD and/or to allow scanning at much shorter echo times without incurring a sensitivity penalty in laminar fMRI.

A Multifunctional Contrast Agent for 19F-Based Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, relying on 19F nuclei has attracted much attention, because the isotopes exhibit a high gyromagnetic ratio (comparable to that of protons) and have 100% natural abundance. Furthermore, due to the very low traces of intrinsic fluorine in biological tissues, fluorine labeling allows easy visualization in vivo using 19F-based MRI. However, one of the drawbacks of the available fluorine tracers is their very limited solubility in water. Here, we detail the design and preparation of a set of water-compatible fluorine-rich polymers as contrast agents that can enhance the effectiveness of 19F-based MRI. The agents are synthesized using the nucleophilic addition reaction between poly(isobutylene-alt-maleic anhydride) copolymer and a mixture of amine-appended fluorine groups and polyethylene glycol (PEG) blocks. This allows control over the polymer architecture and stoichiometry, resulting in good affinity to water solutions. We further investigate the effects of introducing additional segmental mobility to the fluorine moieties in the polymer, by inserting a PEG linker between the moieties and the polymer backbone. We find that controlling the polymer stoichiometry and introducing additional segmental mobility enhance the NMR signals and narrow the peak profile. In particular, we assess the impact of the PEG linker on T2* and T1 relaxation times, using a series of gradient-recalled echo images with varying echo times, TE, or recovery time, TR, respectively. We find that for equivalent concentrations, the PEG linker greatly increases T2*, while maintaining high T1 values, as compared to polymers without this linker. Phantom images collected from these compounds show bright signals over a background with high intensities.

Hybrid 3D T1-weighted gradient-echo sequence for fiducial marker detection and tumor delineation via magnetic resonance imaging in liver stereotactic body radiation therapy

PurposeGold fiducial markers are used to guide liver stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and are hard to detect by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this study, the parameters of the three-dimensional T1-weighted turbo gradient-echo (3D T1W-GRE) sequence were optimized for gold marker detection without degrading tumor delineation. MethodsCustom-made phantoms mimicking tumor and normal liver parenchyma were prepared and embedded with a gold marker. The 3D T1W-GRE was scanned by varying echo time (TE), bandwidth (BW), flip angle (FA), and base matrix size. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast ratio (CR), and relative standard deviation (RSD) of the signal intensity in the area including the gold marker were evaluated, and the parameters were optimized accordingly. The modified 3D T1W-GRE (called HYBRID) was compared with the conventional T1W-GRE- and T2*-sequences in both phantom and clinical studies. In the clinical study of six patients with primary liver tumors, two observers visually assessed marker detection, tumor delineation, and overall image quality on a four-point scale. ResultsIn the phantom study, HYBRID showed significantly higher SNR and RSD than those of conventional T1W-GRE (P < 0.001). In the clinical study, HYBRID yielded significantly higher scores than conventional T1W-GRE did in terms of marker detection (P < 0.001). The scores of both sequences were not statistically different in terms of tumor delineation and overall image quality (P = 0.56 and P = 0.32). ConclusionsThe proposed HYBRID sequence improved gold fiducial marker detection without degrading tumor delineation in MRI for SBRT of primary liver tumor.

Comparison of T2 Quantification Strategies in the Abdominal-Pelvic Region for Clinical Use.

The aim of the study was to compare different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition strategies appropriate for T2 quantification in the abdominal-pelvic area. The different techniques targeted in the study were chosen according to 2 main considerations: performing T2 measurement in an acceptable time for clinical use and preventing/correcting respiratory motion. Acquisitions were performed at 3 T. To select sequences for in vivo measurements, a phantom experiment was conducted, for which the T2 values obtained with the different techniques of interest were compared with the criterion standard (single-echo SE sequence, multiple acquisitions with varying echo time). Repeatability and temporal reproducibility studies for the different techniques were also conducted on the phantom. Finally, an in vivo study was conducted on 12 volunteers to compare the techniques that offer acceptable acquisition time for clinical use and either address or correct respiratory motion. For the phantom study, the DESS and T2-preparation techniques presented the lowest precision (ρ2 = 0.9504 and ρ2 = 0.9849 respectively), and showed a poor repeatability/reproducibility compared with the other techniques. The strategy relying on SE-EPI showed the best precision and accuracy (ρ2 = 0.9994 and Cb = 0.9995). GRAPPATINI exhibited a very good precision (ρ2 = 0.9984). For the technique relying on radial TSE, the precision was not as good as GRAPPATINI (ρ2 = 0.9872). The in vivo study demonstrated good respiratory motion management for all of the selected techniques. It also showed that T2 estimate ranges were different from one method to another. For GRAPPATINI and radial TSE techniques, there were significant differences between all the different types of organs of interest. To perform T2 measurement in the abdominal-pelvic region, one should favor a technique with acceptable acquisition time for clinical use, with proper respiratory motion management, with good repeatability, reproducibility, and precision. In this study, the techniques relying respectively on SE-EPI, radial TSE, and GRAPPATINI appeared as good candidates.

MR image analysis of ex-vivo mouse model of heart ischemia.

IntroductionMyocardial infarction is one of the major causes of death and disability. Various diagnostic modalities used to investigate cardiac ischaemia. Advances in Magnetic Resonance Imaging technology has opened up new horizons for investigating the cardiac function and quantifying any pathology that may be present.AimsThe present study was designed to quantify the cardiac area at risk and infarction reperfusion areas using the mismatch of iron oxide contrast and gadolinium (Gd) contrast imaging (MRIs) and to test if a combination of T1, T2, and iron oxide T2* contrasts will distinguish the infarction and AAR zones.MethodsA well-established mouse model was used to induced cardiac ischaemia and reperfusion. Six mice models’ hearts were harvested and processed according to various protocols. MI was induced through ligation technique for five mice, and one was kept as normal control. MR imaging and Reperfusion were performed using a Three-dimensional gradient-echo fast low angle shot (3DFLASH) and three-dimensional multi-slice multi-echo sequence (3DMSME). Generation of T1 and T2 maps, image post-processing including segmentation and mismatch measurement and drawing of the area of interest.ResultsThe edematous myocardium had significant high signal intensity in 3DMSME with variable echo time (14, 28, 42 ms). The combination of 3DFLASH and 3DMSME at an echo time of 42 ms was statistically significant, detecting the AAR more accurately. Both T1 and T2 sequences had the potential to determine the AAR zone. The infarct area has significantly high signal intensity compared to normal areas (p = 0.04 for the T1 map and p = 0.01 for the T2 map).ConclusionsThe study demonstrated that Cardiac MRI was a valuable technology to investigate infarct areas and zones that are at risk.

Variable echo time imaging for detecting the short T2* components of the sciatic nerve: a validation study

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to develop and validate an MRI protocol based on a variable echo time (vTE) sensitive to the short T2* components of the sciatic nerve.Materials and methods15 healthy subjects (M/F: 9/6; age: 21–62) were scanned at 3T targeting the sciatic nerve at the thigh bilaterally, using a dual echo variable echo time (vTE) sequence (based on a spoiled gradient echo acquisition) with echo times of 0.98/5.37 ms. Apparent T2* (aT2*) values of the sciatic nerves were calculated with a mono-exponential fit and used for data comparison.ResultsThere were no significant differences in aT2* related to side, sex, age, and BMI, even though small differences for side were reported. Good-to-excellent repeatability and reproducibility were found for geometry of ROIs (Dice indices: intra-rater 0.68–0.7; inter-rater 0.70–0.72) and the related aT2* measures (intra-inter reader ICC 0.95–0.97; 0.66–0.85) from two different operators. Side-related signal-to-noise-ratio non-significant differences were reported, while contrast-to-noise-ratio measures were excellent both for side and echo.DiscussionOur study introduces a novel MR sequence sensitive to the short T2* components of the sciatic nerve and may be used for the study of peripheral nerve disorders.

Enthesis of the Calcaneal Tendon ‐ A morphological Analysis

IntroductionThe enthesis of the Achilles tendon (ASE) is an example of a fibrocartilaginous osteotendinous insertion. It shows a complex ultrastructure and is surrounded by various attachment tissues. For various pathologies, caused by degeneration, rheumatoid diseases and excessive strain, the ASE is the site of manifestation. Therefore, the visualization of its ultrastructure is of great clinical interest in order to diagnose diseases early or monitor their course of therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the gold standard for soft tissue imaging and is used in this study in the form of a three‐dimensional MRI‐sequence, capable of generating variable echo times (3D‐vTE‐sequence). To verify the correctness of the results obtained, it is necessary to prepare a corresponding histological compound. Thus, this study serves to design a manufacturing protocol for a holistic histological preparation of the ASE. Additionally, the potential of the 3D‐vTE‐sequence for imaging ultrastructural details of the ASE is to be investigated based on this histological preparation. A special feature of this study is that a holistic, morphological comparison of the ASE is to be achieved by the used techniques, which, to our current knowledge, has not yet been carried out in this form.MethodsIn total five ASE were extracted from post‐mortem donations. Initially, proof of concept was performed with two ASE by using Giemsa stained cutting‐thin section‐technique by Plenk. Subsequently, three further ASE were subjected to MRI using a T2*‐weighted 3D‐vTE‐sequence in a 7 Tesla magnetic resonance tomograph. Measurements with a total of 12 different echo times were performed. Additionalliy, after the cutting‐thin section‐preparation, individually microradiographies (MRG) were manufactured.ResultsThe proof of concept showed satisfactory results regarding the histological imaging of the ASE and its ultrastructure. The holistic, high‐resolution images of the MRI‐examination showed ultrastructural details of the ASE, which correlated morphologically with the depiction of the ASE in the cutting‐thin section‐preparations. At the same time, some ultrastructural details are not reflected in MRI. The same applies in some cutting‐thin section‐preparations of the ASE: Due to artifact formation and other reasons, not all components of the ultrastructure can be determined. The MRG provided reliable information about the architecture of the bone tissue and were additionally used for the comparison between MRI and histological compounds. Seite | 7ConclusionThe used cutting‐thin section‐technique by Plenk and the 3D vTE MRI‐sequence showed great potential for the holistic representation of ASE and its ultrastructure. Nevertheless, certain deficits can be identified in both forms of presentation. Regarding to the detailed reproduction of the ultrastructure, the cutting‐thin section‐technique by Plenk is superior to the used MRI‐sequence. The manufactured MRG warranted a detailed depiction of the hard tissue architecture and have been useful for the performed holistic comparison. For further trials of this kind, it is necessary to take alternative depiction techniques into account to check their potential and compare it with the techniques used in this study.

Spectrally-selective measurements of reversible and irreversible transverse relaxation rates from single spin-echo PRESS acquisitions in muscle.

The goal of this study was to test a new formalism for extracting reversible and irreversible transverse relaxation rates from resonances within typical proton muscle spectra using only a single spin echo as acquired with routine single-voxel, point-resolved echo spectroscopy (PRESS) acquisitions. Single-voxel, non-water-suppressed PRESS acquisitions within the calf muscles of four healthy subjects were performed at 1.5 T using six echo times ranging from 30 to 576 ms. Novel transverse relaxation analyses of water, choline, creatine, and lipid resonances were performed based upon the disparate relaxation sensitivities of the left versus the right sides of spectroscopically sampled spin echoes. Irreversible and reversible transverse relaxation rates R2 and R2 ' were extracted for water, metabolites, and lipids using echo times of 288 ms and longer. The R2 values so obtained were compared with more conventional "gold standard" Hahn values, R2Hahn , evaluated from the echo-time dependence of spectral peak areas generated from right-side sampling alone. Water resonances displayed biexponential Hahn signal decays, consistent with observations of decreasing R2 values with increasing echo time via the new approach. Choline and creatine resonances displayed monoexponential echo-time decays, with R2Hahn values in reasonable agreement with R2 values obtained from the single-echo analyses at the longer echo times. Lipid methylene and methyl R2 values extracted from the new approach were also in reasonable accord with R2Hahn values. Further validation of the technique was provided through PRESS acquisitions on a water phantom to which various levels of gadolinium were added in order to manipulate transverse relaxation rates, yielding excellent agreement between water-resonance R2Hahn and single-echo R2 values. In summary, this work demonstrates the feasibility of measuring reversible and irreversible transverse relaxation rates for individual spectral peaks from single-echo PRESS acquisitions, enabling a reduction in overall scan time relative to the use of multiple acquisitions with varying echo time.

T1 Relaxation Time of Achilles Tendon at 3 Tesla with Special Reference to Relevant Clinical Score: A Preliminary Study.

The purpose of this study was to investigate T1 relaxation time of the human Achilles tendon, to test its short-term repeatability as well as the minimal detectable change, and to assess the extent that correlate with clinical symptoms. Twenty asymptomatic volunteers and eighteen patients with clinically and sonographically confirmed tendinopathy were scanned for ankle using a 3 Tesla (T) MR scanner. T1 maps were calculated from a variable flip angle gradient echo Ultra-short echo time sequence (VFA-GE UTE) and inversion recovery spin echo sequence (IR-SE) using a self-developed matlab algorithm in three regions of interest of Achilles Tendon (AT). Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) between the two sequences was evaluated. INTRA-class Correlation Coefficient (ICC), Coefficient of Variation (CV) and the Least Significant Change (LSC) were calculated, to test short-term repeatability of T1. Subjects were assessed by the VISA-A clinical score. P values less than 0.005 were considered statistically significant. Mean T1 values were 427.09 ± 53.37 ms and 528.70 ± 103.50 ms using IR-SE sequence and 575.43 ± 110.60 ms and 875.81 ± 425.77 ms with VFA-GE UTE sequence in the whole AT for volunteers and patients, respectively. T1 values showed a significant difference between volunteers and patients (P=0.001). Regional variation of T1 in healthy and tendinopathic AT were greater for VFA-GE UTE sequence than for IR-SE sequence. VFA-GE UTE sequence showed clearly higher SNR compared to IR-SE sequence. Short-term repeatability of T1 values for volunteers showed an LSC of 22% and 14% for IR-SE sequence and VFA-GE UTE sequence, respectively. For patients, LSC was 14% and 5% for IR-SE sequence and VFA-GE UTE sequence, respectively. There was no correlation between T1 and VISA-A clinical score (p>0.005). VFA-GE UTE sequence used for T1 mapping calculation demonstrated short acquisition time and clearly high SNR. Results revealed that T1 relaxation time can be used as a biomarker to differentiate between healthy and pathologic Achilles tendon. However, T1 showed no correlation with the VISA-A clinical score.

An evaluation of the reproducibility of 1H-MRS GABA and GSH levels acquired in healthy volunteers with J-difference editing sequences at varying echo times

Recent advances in J-difference-edited proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) data acquisition and processing have led to the development of Hadamard Encoding and Reconstruction of MEGA-Edited Spectroscopy (HERMES) techniques, which enable the simultaneous measurement of ɣ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the primary inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, and of glutathione (GSH), the most abundant antioxidant in living tissue, at the commonly available magnetic field strength of 3 T. However, the reproducibility of brain levels of GABA and GSH measured across multiple scans in human subjects using HERMES remains to be established. In the present study, twelve healthy volunteers completed two consecutive HERMES scans of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) to assess the test-retest reproducibility of the technique for GABA and GSH measurements at TE = 80 ms. Eleven of the twelve participants additionally completed two consecutive MEGA-PRESS scans at TE = 120 ms, with editing pulses configured for GSH acquisition, to compare the reliability of GSH in the same voxel measured using the standard MEGA-PRESS at TE = 120 ms. The primary findings of study were that, 1) the coefficient of variation (CV) of measuring GABA with HERMES was 16.7%, which is in agreement with the reliability we previously reported for measuring GABA using MEGA-PRESS; and 2) the reliability of measuring GSH with MEGA-PRESS at TE = 120 ms was more than twice as high as that for measuring the antioxidant with HERMES at TE = 80 ms (CV = 7.3% vs. 19.0% respectively). These findings suggest that HERMES and MEGA-PRESS offer similar reliabilities for measuring GABA, while MEGA-PRESS at TE = 120 ms is more reliable for measuring GSH relative to HERMES at TE = 80 ms.

A Generative Adversarial Network (GAN)-based Approach for Automatic Fiducial Marker Detection in MR Radiotherapy Simulation Images

To design and evaluate a robust method for the automatic detection of fiducial markers (FMs) in MR simulation images used for prostate cancer radiotherapy planning. MR-only simulation continues to see expanded use due to the benefits of eliminating CT from standard MR/CT radiotherapy planning workflows, including reduced registration uncertainties, cost, and time. Standard x-ray-based IGRT treatments that use FMs for patient alignment pose a challenge for MR-only simulation, where FMs appear as small and often difficult to detect signal voids. In practice, multiple MR sequences with varying echo times and manual interaction are often required to distinguish FMs. Such methods are vulnerable to patient motion and require increased clinician effort. In this work we present an automatic FM detection method requiring a single standard GRE-based MR sequence. 21 prostate cancer patients who each had three FMs implanted prior to CT simulation and MR imaging were retrospectively selected for this study. Contrast enhanced T1 VIBE images were used in this study. Ground truth FM contours were manually defined on the patients’ CT and corresponding MR images. The cohort was divided into five groups, with one group held out for testing and the other four used for training in a five-fold cross validation approach. The MR images and FM contours (converted to labeled binary masks) from the training sets were used to train a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) with the pix2pix image-to-image translation package. Trained models take an input MR image and output an image with suspected FM pixels labeled. The final three FM contours for each patient were defined as the three largest clustered objects in the labeled volume. Successful FM identification was defined based on the DICE coefficient of the automatically detected and ground truth FM contours. The Fiducial Registration Error (FRE) between the automatically detected and ground truth FM locations were calculated. FMs were correctly identified in 97% of tested cases (Table 1). All implanted FMs were correctly identified in 19/21 of the tested patients. The two incorrect FM identifications occurred with a marker implanted at the prostate/rectal wall interface and urethra. The mean FRE difference in the Anterior-Posterior, Left-Right and Superior-Inferior directions was 0.3 ± 0.7, 0.7 ± 1.4 and 0.8 ± 1.1 mm respectively. We developed a GAN-based approach to automatic FM detection in MR simulation images, and used it to demonstrate the feasibility of detecting FMs with a single standard MR sequence. Future work will involve testing the model on a larger cohort of patients and further investigating potential sources of FM misidentification, including calcifications and proximity to tissue interfaces.Abstract 189; Table 1Group 1 (Patient 1-4)Group 2 (Patient 5-8)Group 3 (Patient 9-12)Group 4 (Patient 13-17)Group 5 (Patient 18-21)% FM Detection accuracy1001001009292ΔFRE Magnitude (mm)1.4 ± 1.90.7 ± 11 ± 1.61.5 ± 1.81.6 ± 2.6 Open table in a new tab

Free-running simultaneous myocardial T1/T2 mapping and cine imaging with 3D whole-heart coverage and isotropic spatial resolution

PurposeTo develop a free-running framework for 3D isotropic simultaneous myocardial T1/T2 mapping and cine imaging. MethodsContinuous data acquisition with 3D golden angle radial trajectory is used in conjunction with T2 preparation of varying echo times and inversion recovery (IR) pulses to enable simultaneous myocardial T1/T2 mapping and cine imaging. Data acquisition is retrospectively synchronized with ECG signal, and 1D respiratory self-navigation signal is extracted from the k-space center of all radial spokes. Respiratory binning is performed based on the estimated respiratory signal, enabling estimation and correction of 3D translational respiratory motion. Using high-dimensionality patch-based undersampled reconstruction with dictionary-based low-rank inversion, whole-heart T1/T2 maps and cine images can be generated with 2 mm isotropic spatial resolution. The proposed technique was validated in a standardised phantom and ten healthy subjects in comparison to conventional 2D imaging techniques. ResultsPhantom T1 and T2 measurements demonstrated good agreement with 2D spin echo techniques. Septal T1 estimated with the proposed technique (1185.6 ± 49.8 ms) was longer than with a conventional breath-hold 2D IR-prepared sequence (1044.3 ± 26.7 ms), whereas T2 measurements (47.6 ± 2.5 ms) were lower than a breath-hold 2D gradient spin echo sequence (52.0 ± 1.8 ms). Precision of the proposed 3D mapping was higher than conventional 2D mapping techniques. Ejection fraction measured with the proposed 3D approach (63.8 ± 6.8%) agreed well with conventional breath-held multi-slice 2D cine (62.3 ± 6.4%). ConclusionsThe proposed technique provides co-registered 3D T1/T2 maps and cine images with isotropic spatial resolution from a single free-breathing scan, thereby providing a promising imaging tool for whole-heart myocardial tissue characterization and functional evaluation.

Ultrashort echo time magnetic resonance fingerprinting (UTE-MRF) for simultaneous quantification of long and ultrashort T2 tissues.

To demonstrate an ultrashort echo time magnetic resonance fingerprinting (UTE-MRF) method that allows quantifying relaxation times for muscle and bone in the musculoskeletal system and generating bone enhanced images that mimic CT scans. A fast imaging steady-state free precession MRF sequence with half pulse excitation and half projection readout was designed to sample fast T2 decay signals. Varying echo time (TE) of a sinusoidal pattern was applied to enhance sensitivity for tissues with short and ultrashort T2 values. The performance of UTE-MRF was evaluated via simulations, phantom, and in vivo experiments. A minimal TE of 0.05 ms was achieved. Simulations indicated the sinusoidal TE sampling increased T2 quantification accuracy in the cortical bone and tendon but had little impact on long T2 muscle quantifications. For the rubber phantom, the averaged relaxometries from UTE-MRF (T1 = 162 ms and T2 = 1.07 ms) compared well with the gold standard (T1 = 190 ms and = 1.03 ms). For the long T2 agarose phantom, the linear regression slope between UTE-MRF and gold standard was 1.07 (R2 = 0.991) for T1 and 1.04 (R2 = 0.994) for T2 . In vivo experiments showed the detection of the cortical bone (averaged T2 = 1.0 ms) and Achilles tendon (averaged T2 = 15 ms). Scalp structures from the bone enhanced image show high similarity with CT. The UTE-MRF with sinusoidal TEs can simultaneously quantify T1 , T2 , proton density, and B0 in long, short, even ultrashort T2 musculoskeletal structures. Bone enhanced images can be achieved in the brain with UTE-MRF.

T1- and T2*-Mapping for Assessment of Tendon Tissue Biophysical Properties: A Phantom MRI Study.

The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess changes in collagen structure using MR T1- and T2*-mapping in a novel controlled ex vivo tendon model setup. Twenty-four cadaveric bovine flexor tendons underwent MRI at 3 T before and after chemical modifications, representing mechanical degeneration and augmentation. Collagen degradation (COL), augmenting collagen fiber cross-linking (CXL), and a control (phosphate-buffered saline [PBS]) were examined in experimental groups, using histopathology as standard of reference. Variable echo-time and variable-flip angle gradient-echo sequences were used for T2*- and T1-mapping, respectively. Standard T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo sequences were acquired for visual assessment of tendon texture. Tendons were assessed subsequently for their biomechanical properties and compared with quantitative MRI analysis. T1- and T2*-mapping was feasible and repeatable for untreated (mean, 545 milliseconds, 2.0 milliseconds) and treated tendons. Mean T1 and T2* values of COL, CXL, and PBS tendons were 1459, 934, and 1017 milliseconds, and 5.5, 3.6, and 2.5 milliseconds, respectively. T2* values were significantly different between enzymatically degraded tendons, cross-linked tendons, and controls, and were significantly correlated with mechanical tendon properties (r = -0.74, P < 0.01). T1 values and visual assessment could not differentiate CXL from PBS tendons. Photo-spectroscopy showed increased autofluorescence of cross-linked tendons, whereas histopathology verified degenerative lesions of enzymatically degraded tendons. T2*-mapping has the potential to detect and quantify subtle changes in tendon collagen structure not visible on conventional clinical MRI. Tendon T2* values might serve as a biomarker for biochemical alterations associated with tendon pathology.

In vitro T2 relaxivities of the Gd-based contrast agents (GBCAs) in human blood at 1.5 and 3 T.

The availability of data in the medical literature for the T2 relaxivities of the Gd-based contrast agents (GBCAs) is limited. A comprehensive comparison between the agents available commercially (other than in Europe) is lacking, with no data available that most closely reflect the clinic, which is in human whole blood at body temperature. To complement the existing literature by determining T2 relaxivity data for eight GBCAs in vitro. The relaxivities of eight GBCAs diluted in human whole blood at 1.5 and 3 T were determined at 37 ± 0.5 °C. Gd was in the range of 0-4 mM. Multi-echo sequences with variable echo times were acquired using a phantom containing a dilution series with each agent, and SigmaPlot 12.0 was used to calculate the R2 relaxation rate and finally r2. Statistical comparisons between agents and field strengths were conducted. The relationship between R2 vs. Gd was observed to be linear at 1.5 and 3 T, with a mild increase in r2 from 1.5 to 3 T for all GBCAs. T2 relaxivity data were compared with prior results. The GBCAs are closely clustered into two groups, with higher r2 noted for the two lipophilic (those with partial hepatobiliary excretion) compounds. The r2 values at 1.5 and 3 T, determined for the eight GBCAs still clinically available (other than in Europe), provide a definitive baseline for future evaluations, including theoretical calculations of signal intensity and their clinical impact on T2-weighted scans.