Subjective acceptance of 7 Tesla MRI for human imaging

Objective One prerequisite for transferring ultra-high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (>3T) into clinical diagnostic workup is a low rate of side effects. To our knowledge, publications of subjective acceptance and willingness to undergo examinations at >3T are rare. We present first results from our research site. Materials and methods Exposure to 7T whole-body MRI of head, extremities, or breast was assessed in 102 subjects. They judged sources of discomfort (examination duration, room temperature) and physiological sensations (vertigo, light flashes) on a 10-point scale, differentiating between examination phases: table stationary or moving. For comparison, the same questionnaire was completed by 43 of these subjects after undergoing a 1.5T examination. Vertigo was the most pronounced sensation at 7T with 5% rating it as very unpleasant (none at 1.5T). This should be compared with the fact that the lengthy exam duration was regarded as even more uncomfortable. Compared to 1.5T, average study duration at 7T was roughly doubled, and 7T elicited a wider range of complaints. Conclusion Although the number of side effects is increased at 7T compared to 1.5T, 7T was well tolerated by the majority of subjects. Further data collection is necessary for better understanding of these effects.     

Pseudo-T2 mapping for normalization of T2-weighted prostate MRI

Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine - Signal intensity normalization is necessary to reduce heterogeneity in T2-weighted (T2W) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for...     

Fast T1 and T2 mapping methods: the zoomed U-FLARE sequence compared with EPI and snapshot-FLASH for abdominal imaging at 11.7 Tesla

Objective

A newly adapted zoomed ultrafast low-angle RARE (U-FLARE) sequence is described for abdominal imaging applications at 11.7 Tesla and compared with the standard echo-plannar imaging (EPI) and snapshot fast low angle shot (FLASH) methods.

Materials and methods

Ultrafast EPI and snapshot-FLASH protocols were evaluated to determine relaxation times in phantoms and in the mouse kidney in vivo. Owing to their apparent shortcomings, imaging artefacts, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and variability in the determination of relaxation times, these methods are compared with the newly implemented zoomed U-FLARE sequence.

Results

Snapshot-FLASH has a lower SNR when compared with the zoomed U-FLARE sequence and EPI. The variability in the measurement of relaxation times is higher in the Look–Locker sequences than in inversion recovery experiments. Respectively, the average T1 and T2 values at 11.7 Tesla are as follows: kidney cortex, 1810 and 29 ms; kidney medulla, 2100 and 25 ms; subcutaneous tumour, 2365 and 28 ms.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that the zoomed U-FLARE sequence yields single-shot single-slice images with good anatomical resolution and high SNR at 11.7 Tesla. Thus, it offers a viable alternative to standard protocols for mapping very fast parameters, such as T1 and T2, or dynamic processes in vivo at high field.

     

Small-animal MRI: signal-to-noise ratio comparison at 7 and 1.5 T with multiple-animal acquisition strategies

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of phantom and rat brain images performed at 1.5 T on a clinical MR system and at 7 T on a small-animal experimental system. Comparison was carried out by taking into account SNR values based on a single sample acquisition at 1.5 and 7 T as well as on simultaneous imaging of multiple samples at 1.5 T. Methods: SNR was experimentally assessed on a phantom and rat brains at 1.5 and 7 T using 25 mm surface coils and compared to theoretical SNR gain estimations. The feasibility of multiple-animal imaging, using the hardware capabilities available on the 1.5 T system, was demonstrated. Finally, rat brain images obtained on a single animal at 7 T and on multiple animals acquired simultaneously at 1.5 T were compared. Results: Experimentally determined SNR at 7 T was far below theoretical estimations. Taking into account chemical shift, susceptibility artifacts and modifications of T1 and T2 relaxation times at higher field, a 7-T system holds limited advantage over a 1.5-T system. Instead, a multiple-animal acquisition methodology was demonstrated on a clinical 1.5-T scanner. This acquisition method significantly increases imaging efficiency and competes with single animal acquisitions at higher field. Conclusion: Multiple-animal imaging using a standard clinical scanner has a great potential as a high-throughput acquisition method for small animals.     

In vivo quantitative MRI: T1 and T2 measurements of the human brain at 0.064 T

Objective

To measure healthy brain \({T}_{1}\) and \({T}_{2}\) relaxation times at 0.064 T.

Materials and methods

\({T}_{1}\) and \({T}_{2}\) relaxation times were measured in vivo for 10 healthy volunteers using a 0.064 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and for 10 test samples on both the MRI and a separate 0.064 T nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system. In vivo \({T}_{1}\) and \({T}_{2}\) values are reported for white matter (WM), gray matter (GM), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for automatic segmentation regions and manual regions of interest (ROIs).

Results

\({T}_{1}\) sample measurements on the MRI system were within 10% of the NMR measurement for 9 samples, and one sample was within 11%. Eight \({T}_{2}\) sample MRI measurements were within 25% of the NMR measurement, and the two longest \({T}_{2}\) samples had more than 25% variation. Automatic segmentations generally resulted in larger \({T}_{1}\) and \({T}_{2}\) estimates than manual ROIs.

Discussion

\({T}_{1}\) and \({T}_{2}\) times for brain tissue were measured at 0.064 T. Test samples demonstrated accuracy in WM and GM ranges of values but underestimated long \({T}_{2}\) in the CSF range. This work contributes to measuring quantitative MRI properties of the human body at a range of field strengths.

     

Quantitative T 2 measurement of a single voxel with arbitrary shape using pinwheel excitation and CPMG acquisition

Objective The aim of this study is to present a new approach for making quantitative single-voxel T ₂ measurements from an arbitrarily shaped region of interest (ROI), where the advantage of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) per unit time of the single-voxel approach over conventional imaging approach can be achieved. Materials and methods Two-dimensional (2D) spatially selective radiofrequency (RF) pulses are proposed in this work for T ₂ measurements based on using interleaved spiral trajectories in excitation k-space (pinwheel excitation pulses), combined with a summed Carr–Purcell Meiboom–Gill (CPMG) echo acquisition. The technique is described and compared to standard multi-echo imaging methods, on a two-compartment water phantom and an excised brain tissue. Results The studies show good agreement between imaging and our method. The measured improvement factors of SNR per unit time of our single-voxel approach over imaging approach are close to the predicted values. Conclusion Measuring T ₂ relaxation times from a selected ROI of arbitrary shape using a single-voxel rather than an imaging approach can increase the SNR per unit time, which is critical for dynamic T ₂ or multi-component T ₂ measurements.     

Tissue segmentation: a crucial tool for quantitative MRI and visualization of anatomical structures

Automatic or semi-automatic segmentation of tissue types or organs is well established for X-ray-based computed tomography, with its fixed grey-scale and tissue classes with well-established ranges of Hounsfield units. MRI is much more powerful with regard to soft tissue contrast and quantitative assessment of tissue properties (e.g., perfusion, diffusion, fat content), but the principle of signal generation and recording in MRI leads to inherent problems if simple threshold based segmentation procedures are applied. In this editorial in the special issue of MAGMA on tissue segmentation, a number of relevant methodical, scientific, and clinical aspects of reliable tissue segmentation using data recording by MRI are reported and discussed.     

Fast and accurate compensation of signal offset for T2 mapping

Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine - T2 maps are more vendor independent than other MRI protocols. Multi-echo spin-echo signal decays to a non-zero offset due to...     

Ultrashort echo time and zero echo time MRI at 7T

Objective

Zero echo time (ZTE) and ultrashort echo time (UTE) pulse sequences for MRI offer unique advantages of being able to detect signal from rapidly decaying short-T2 tissue components. In this paper, we applied 3D ZTE and UTE pulse sequences at 7T to assess differences between these methods.

Materials and methods

We matched the ZTE and UTE pulse sequences closely in terms of readout trajectories and image contrast. Our ZTE used the water- and fat-suppressed solid-state proton projection imaging method to fill the center of k-space. Images from healthy volunteers obtained at 7T were compared qualitatively, as well as with SNR and CNR measurements for various ultrashort, short, and long-T2 tissues.

Results

We measured nearly identical contrast-to-noise and signal-to-noise ratios (CNR/SNR) in similar scan times between the two approaches for ultrashort, short, and long-T2 components in the brain, knee and ankle. In our protocol, we observed gradient fidelity artifacts in UTE, and our chosen flip angle and readout also resulted in shading artifacts in ZTE due to inadvertent spatial selectivity. These can be corrected by advanced reconstruction methods or with different chosen protocol parameters.

Conclusion

The applied ZTE and UTE pulse sequences achieved similar contrast and SNR efficiency for volumetric imaging of ultrashort-T2 components. Key differences include that ZTE is limited to volumetric imaging, but has substantially reduced acoustic noise levels during the scan. Meanwhile, UTE has higher acoustic noise levels and greater sensitivity to gradient fidelity, but offers more flexibility in image contrast and volume selection.

     

Quantitative assessment of normal hip cartilage in children under 9 years old by T2 mapping

Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine - To investigate the variation in T2 at different zones of normal hip cartilage in children and the relationship between T2 value and...     

Blood longitudinal (T 1) and transverse (T 2) relaxation time constants at 11.7 Tesla

Object

The goal of the study was to determine blood T ₁ and T ₂ values as functions of oxygen saturation (Y), temperature (Temp) and hematocrit (Hct) at an ultrahigh MR field (11.7?T) and explore their impacts on physiological measurements, including cerebral blood flow (CBF), blood volume (CBV) and oxygenation determination.

Materials and methods

T ₁ and T ₂ were simultaneously measured. Temperature was adjusted from 25 to 40°C to determine Temp dependence; Hct of 0.17?C0.51 to evaluate Hct dependence at 25 and 37°C; and Y of 40?C100% to evaluate Y dependence at 25 and 37°C. Comparisons were made with published data obtained at different magnetic field strengths (B ₀).

Results

T ₁ was positively correlated with Temp, independent of Y, and negatively correlated with Hct. T ₂ was negatively correlated with Temp and Hct, but positively correlated with Y, in a non-linear fashion. T ₁ increased linearly with B ₀, whereas T ₂ decreased exponentially with B₀.

Conclusion

This study reported blood T ₁ and T ₂ measurements at 11.7?T for the first time. These blood relaxation data could have implications in numerous functional and physiological MRI studies at 11.7?T.     

Comparison of T1-weighted 2D TSE, 3D SPGR,and two-point 3D Dixon MRI for automated segmentation of visceral adipose tissue at 3 Tesla

Objectives

To evaluate and compare conventional T1-weighted 2D turbo spin echo (TSE), T1-weighted 3D volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE), and two-point 3D Dixon-VIBE sequences for automatic segmentation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volume at 3 Tesla by measuring and compensating for errors arising from intensity nonuniformity (INU) and partial volume effects (PVE).

Materials and methods

The body trunks of 28 volunteers with body mass index values ranging from 18 to 41.2 kg/m² (30.02 ± 6.63 kg/m²) were scanned at 3 Tesla using three imaging techniques. Automatic methods were applied to reduce INU and PVE and to segment VAT. The automatically segmented VAT volumes obtained from all acquisitions were then statistically and objectively evaluated against the manually segmented (reference) VAT volumes.

Results

Comparing the reference volumes with the VAT volumes automatically segmented over the uncorrected images showed that INU led to an average relative volume difference of ?59.22 ± 11.59, 2.21 ± 47.04, and ?43.05 ± 5.01 % for the TSE, VIBE, and Dixon images, respectively, while PVE led to average differences of ?34.85 ± 19.85, ?15.13 ± 11.04, and ?33.79 ± 20.38 %. After signal correction, differences of ?2.72 ± 6.60, 34.02 ± 36.99, and ?2.23 ± 7.58 % were obtained between the reference and the automatically segmented volumes. A paired-sample two-tailed t test revealed no significant difference between the reference and automatically segmented VAT volumes of the corrected TSE (p = 0.614) and Dixon (p = 0.969) images, but showed a significant VAT overestimation using the corrected VIBE images.

Conclusion

Under similar imaging conditions and spatial resolution, automatically segmented VAT volumes obtained from the corrected TSE and Dixon images agreed with each other and with the reference volumes. These results demonstrate the efficacy of the signal correction methods and the similar accuracy of TSE and Dixon imaging for automatic volumetry of VAT at 3 Tesla.

     

Native T1 mapping of the breast in MRI to differentiate fibroadenomas from benign phyllodes tumors: a preliminary study

Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine - Both fibroadenomas (FAs) and phyllodes tumors (PTs) are classified as fibroepithelial lesions. PTs are rare fibroepithelial neoplasms...     

High-permittivity pads to enhance SNR and transmit efficiency in MRI of the heart at 7T: a simulation study

Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine - High-permittivity pads have shown promising results in enhancing SNR and transmit efficiency when used for MRI of the brain, but...     

T2-weighted breathold imaging of the liver: a quantitative and qualitative comparison of fast spin echo and half Fourier single shot fast spin echo imaging

The imaging characteristics of two EPI-hybrid breath-hold sequences, T2-weighted fast spin-echo [FSE, effective echo time (TE_eff) 138ms] and half Fourier single shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE, TE_eff 60 ms), were compared in hepatic imaging. A total of 111 patients with suspected hepatic disease were studied at 1.5 Tesla using a body phase-array coil. The signal-to-noise (S/N) and contrast-to-noise (C/N) ratios for organs and lesions were calculated and quantitatively compared. Organ delineation, visualization of anatomical structures and pathological lesions, artifacts, and total image quality were qualitatively assessed and statistically compared. The final diagnoses were metastases from colorectal, breast, and pancreatic cancer in 23/111, hepatocellular carcinoma in 15/111, cysts in 19/111, hemangiomas in 9/111, several other lesions in 7/111, and no lesions in 38/111 of the cases. A total of 139 lesion in 73% of the patients were seen while 85% of the lesions were at least 1.5 cm in size. Regarding S/Ns HASTE was significantly (P<0.03) superior to FSE with only minor (P>0.05) differences in C/Ns between the two sequences for anatomical and pathological structures. HASTE demonstrated in almost all (97.3%) of the cases no artifacts, while on fast SE imaging moderate to minor artifacts were present in 23.5–51.7% of the cases. The overall image quality and diagnostic confidence was rated significantly higher (good 43.2%, excellent 53.2%) for HASTE than for fast SE imaging (good 44.8%, excellent 17.6%). Providing comparable C/Ns for anatomical and pathological structures, breatheld HASTE imaging proved to be superior to fast SE in T2-weighted imaging of the upper abdomen regarding general image quality, and, with adequate technical prerequisites, may be a suitable substitute of fast T2-imaging techniques.     

Simultaneous dynamic T1 and T2* measurement for AIF assessment combined with DCE MRI in a mouse tumor model

A double-delay SR-MGE-SNAP sequence allowing simultaneous T1 and T2* measurement was developed for integrating arterial input function (AIF) measurement into DCE MRI. Implemented on a 4.7-T animal MR system, this technique was applied to mice with colorectal tumor xenografts. AIF, measured in the mouse heart, was modeled by a bi-exponential function, whereas tumor K(trans) and v(e) parameter maps were obtained from analysis with a two- compartment model using an individually measured AIF. AIF analysis of T2*-corrected data yielded A1 = 9.2 +/- 4.3 kg/l, A(2) = 4.2 +/- 0.8 kg/l, m1 = 2.3 +/- 1.1 min(-1), and m2 = 0.05 +/- 0.02 min(-1). The mean initial plasma concentration C ( p )(t = 0) = 8.0 +/- 2.7 mM was compatible with estimated 8.6 mM. Without T2*-correction distribution phase parameters A1, m1, and C(p)(t = 0) were underestimated. In tumors, neglect of T2* effects yielded mean K(trans) values which were reduced by 14% (P < 0.05), whereas v(e) showed only a slight non-significant reduction. Simultaneous measurement of DeltaR1 and DeltaR2* studied in highly and poorly vascularized and (pre-)necrotic tumor regions revealed complementary behavior of both parameters with respect to vascular properties. In conclusion, the presented measurement technique is a promising tool for dynamic MRI applications studied in animal models at high field strengths and/or with CA of high relaxivities, as it combines classical DCE MRI integrating AIF assessment with dynamic T2* measurement.     

Cranial fixation plates in cerebral magnetic resonance imaging: a 3 and 7 Tesla in vivo image quality study

Objective

This study assesses and quantifies impairment of postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 7 Tesla (T) after implantation of titanium cranial fixation plates (CFPs) for neurosurgical bone flap fixation.

Materials and methods

The study group comprised five patients who were intra-individually examined with 3 and 7 T MRI preoperatively and postoperatively (within 72 h/3 months) after implantation of CFPs. Acquired sequences included T₁-weighted magnetization-prepared rapid-acquisition gradient-echo (MPRAGE), T₂-weighted turbo-spin-echo (TSE) imaging, and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI). Two experienced neurosurgeons and a neuroradiologist rated image quality and the presence of artifacts in consensus reading.

Results

Minor artifacts occurred around the CFPs in MPRAGE and T₂ TSE at both field strengths, with no significant differences between 3 and 7 T. In SWI, artifacts were accentuated in the early postoperative scans at both field strengths due to intracranial air and hemorrhagic remnants. After resorption, the brain tissue directly adjacent to skull bone could still be assessed. Image quality after 3 months was equal to the preoperative examinations at 3 and 7 T.

Conclusion

Image quality after CFP implantation was not significantly impaired in 7 T MRI, and artifacts were comparable to those in 3 T MRI.

     

Multi-feed,loop-dipole combined dielectric resonator antenna arrays for human brain MRI at 7 T

Objective

To determine whether a multi-feed, loop-dipole combined approach can be used to improve performance of rectangular dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) arrays human brain for MRI at 7 T.

Materials and methods

Electromagnetic field simulations in a spherical phantom and human voxel model “Duke” were conducted for different rectangular DRA geometries and dielectric constants ε_r. Three types of RF feed were investigated: loop-only, dipole-only and loop-dipole. Additionally, multi-channel array configurations up to 24-channels were simulated.

Results

The loop-only coupling scheme provided the highest B₁⁺ and SAR efficiency, while the loop-dipole showed the highest SNR in the center of a spherical phantom for both single- and multi-channel configurations. For Duke, 16-channel arrays outperformed an 8-channel bow-tie array with greater B₁⁺ efficiency (1.48- to 1.54-fold), SAR efficiency (1.03- to 1.23-fold) and SNR (1.63- to 1.78). The multi-feed, loop-dipole combined approach enabled the number of channels increase to 24 with 3 channels per block.

Discussion

This work provides novel insights into the rectangular DRA design for high field MRI and shows that the loop-only feed should be used instead of the dipole-only in transmit mode to achieve the highest B₁⁺ and SAR efficiency, while the loop-dipole should be the best suited in receive mode to obtain the highest SNR in spherical samples of similar size and electrical properties as the human head.

     

Measurement of T1 and T2 relaxation times of the pancreas at 7 T using a multi-transmit system

Objective

To determine T₁ and T₂ relaxation times of healthy pancreas parenchyma at 7 T using a multi-transmit system.

Materials and methods

Twenty-six healthy subjects were scanned with a 7 T MR system using eight parallel transceiver antennas, each with two additional receive loops. A Look-Locker sequence was used to obtain images for T₁ determination, while T₂ was obtained from spin-echo images and magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements with different echo times. T₁ and T₂ times were calculated using a mono-exponential fit of the average magnitude signal from a region of interest in the pancreas and were tested for correlation with age.

Results

The age range of the included subjects was 21–72 years. Average T₁ and T₂ relaxation times in healthy pancreas were 896 ± 149 ms, and 26.7 ± 5.3 ms, respectively. No correlation with age was found.

Conclusion

T₁ and T₂ relaxation times of the healthy pancreas were reported for 7 T, which can be used for image acquisition optimization. No significant correlations were found between age and T₁ or T₂ relaxation times of the pancreas. Considering their low standard deviation and no observable age dependence, these values may be used as a baseline to study potentially pancreatic tissue affected by disease.

     

Assessment of inhibitory potency of antibiotics by MRI: apparent T 2 as a marker of cell growth

A new method to assess the antibiotic potency by MRI has been developed. Correlating ¹H NMR spectra of bacterial cultures with the extracellular parameters T ₂, OD₆₀₀, and pH, a relationship between cell growth and T ₂ variations was established. T ₂ is influenced by chemical exchange that depends on pH, composition, and concentration of the medium. Changes in the medium from bacterial metabolism are reflected in alternating T ₂ values. At 17.6 T, growth curves based on T ₂ values were measured simultaneously of several cultures of Streptococcus vestibularis. From T ₂ growth curves in the presence of varying concentrations of vancomycin, the minimum inhibitory concentration of the antibiotic could be determined to be 0.33 ± 0.08 μM. This value was in good agreement with the result obtained by the conventional broth microdilution. In principle, T ₂ growth curves can be determined on a large number of cultures simultaneously and may potentially be used as a novel tool in high through-put screening of novel anti-infective substances.