Cerebral blood volume mapping with ferumoxytol in dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion MRI: Comparison to standard of care

Comparison of dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) using gadolinium and iron-based contrast agents in high-grade glioma at high-field MRI

PURPOSE

To compare DSC-MRI using Gadolinium (GBCA) and Ferumoxytol (FBCA) in high-grade glioma at 3T and 7T MRI field strengths. We hypothesized that using FBCA at 7T would enhance the performance of DSC, as measured by contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR).

METHODS

Ten patients (13 lesions) were assigned to 3T (6 patients, 6 lesions) or 7T (4 patients, 7 lesions). All lesions received 0.1 mmol/kg of GBCA on day 1. Ten lesions (4 at 3T and 6 at 7T) received a lower dose (0.6 mg/kg) of FBCA, followed by a higher dose (1.0-1.2 mg/kg), while 3 lesions (2 at 3T and 1 at 7T) received only a higher dose on Day 2. CBV maps with leakage correction for GBCA but not for FBCA were generated. The CNR and normalized CBV (nCBV) were analyzed on enhancing and non-enhancing high T2W lesions.

RESULTS

Regardless of FBCA dose, GBCA showed higher CNR than FBCA at 7T, which was significant for high-dose FBCA (p < .05). Comparable CNR between GBCA and high-dose FBCA was observed at 3T. There was a trend toward higher CNR for FBCA at 3T than 7T. GBCA also showed nCBV twice that of FBCA at both MRI field strengths with significance at 7T.

CONCLUSION

GBCA demonstrated higher image conspicuity, as measured by CNR, than FBCA on 7T. The stronger T2* weighting realized with higher magnetic field strength, combined with FBCA, likely results in more signal loss rather than enhanced performance on DSC. However, at clinical 3T, both GBCA and FBCA, particularly a dosage of 1.0-1.2 mg/kg (optimal for perfusion imaging), yielded comparable CNR.

Unveiling the next generation of MRI contrast agents: current insights and perspectives on ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) is a pivotal tool for global disease diagnosis and management. Since its clinical availability in 2009, the off-label use of ferumoxytol for ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI (FE-MRI) has significantly reshaped CE-MRI practices. Unlike MRI that is enhanced by gadolinium-based contrast agents, FE-MRI offers advantages such as reduced contrast agent dosage, extended imaging windows, no nephrotoxicity, higher MRI time efficiency and the capability for molecular imaging. As a leading superparamagnetic iron oxide contrast agent, ferumoxytol is heralded as the next generation of contrast agents. This review delineates the pivotal clinical applications and inherent technical superiority of FE-MRI, providing an avant-garde medical-engineering interdisciplinary lens, thus bridging the gap between clinical demands and engineering innovations. Concurrently, we spotlight the emerging imaging themes and new technical breakthroughs. Lastly, we share our own insights on the potential trajectory of FE-MRI, shedding light on its future within the medical imaging realm.

Applying machine learning classifiers to automate quality assessment of paediatric dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC-) MRI data

OBJECTIVE

Investigate the performance of qualitative review (QR) for assessing dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC-) MRI data quality in paediatric normal brain and develop an automated alternative to QR.

METHODS

1027 signal-time courses were assessed by Reviewer 1 using QR. 243 were additionally assessed by Reviewer 2 and % disagreements and Cohen's κ (κ) were calculated. The signal drop-to-noise ratio (SDNR), root mean square error (RMSE), full width half maximum (FWHM) and percentage signal recovery (PSR) were calculated for the 1027 signal-time courses. Data quality thresholds for each measure were determined using QR results. The measures and QR results trained machine learning classifiers. Sensitivity, specificity, precision, classification error and area under the curve from a receiver operating characteristic curve were calculated for each threshold and classifier.

RESULTS

Comparing reviewers gave 7% disagreements and κ = 0.83. Data quality thresholds of: 7.6 for SDNR; 0.019 for RMSE; 3 s and 19 s for FWHM; and 42.9 and 130.4% for PSR were produced. SDNR gave the best sensitivity, specificity, precision, classification error and area under the curve values of 0.86, 0.86, 0.93, 14.2% and 0.83. Random forest was the best machine learning classifier, giving sensitivity, specificity, precision, classification error and area under the curve of 0.94, 0.83, 0.93, 9.3% and 0.89.

CONCLUSION

The reviewers showed good agreement. Machine learning classifiers trained on signal-time course measures and QR can assess quality. Combining multiple measures reduces misclassification.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

A new automated quality control method was developed, which trained machine learning classifiers using QR results.

One-pot synthesis of carboxymethyl-dextran coated iron oxide nanoparticles (CION) for preclinical fMRI and MRA applications

Superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles are robust contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) used for sensitive structural and functional mapping of the cerebral blood volume (CBV) when administered intravenously. To date, many CBV-MRI studies are conducted with Feraheme, manufactured for the clinical treatment of iron-deficiency. Unfortunately, Feraheme is currently not available outside the United States due to commercial and regulatory constraints, making CBV-MRI methods either inaccessible or very costly to achieve. To address this barrier, we developed a simple, one-pot recipe to synthesize Carboxymethyl-dextran coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles, namely, “CION”, suitable for preclinical CBV-MRI applications. Here we disseminate a step-by-step instruction of our one-pot synthesis protocol, which allows CION to be produced in laboratories with minimal cost. We also characterized different CION-conjugations by manipulating polymer to metal stoichiometric ratio in terms of their size, surface chemistry, and chemical composition, and shifts in MR relaxivity and pharmacokinetics. We performed several proof-of-concept experiments in vivo, demonstrating the utility of CION for functional and structural MRI applications, including hypercapnic CO₂ challenge, visual stimulation, targeted optogenetic stimulation, and microangiography. We also present evidence that CION can serve as a cross-modality research platform by showing concurrent in vivo optical and MRI measurement of CBV using fluorescent-labeled CION. The simplicity and cost-effectiveness of our one-pot synthesis method should allow researchers to reproduce CION and tailor the relaxivity and pharmacokinetics according to their imaging needs. It is our hope that this work makes CBV-MRI more openly available and affordable for a variety of research applications.

Safety issues related to intravenous contrast agent use in magnetic resonance imaging

Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) have been used to improve image quality of MRI examinations for decades and have an excellent overall safety record. However, there are well-documented risks associated with GBCAs and our understanding and management of these risks continue to evolve. The purpose of this review is to discuss the safety of GBCAs used in MRI in adult and pediatric populations. We focus particular attention on acute adverse reactions, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and gadolinium deposition. We also discuss the non-GBCA MRI contrast agent ferumoxytol, which is increasing in use and has its own risk profile. Finally, we identify special populations at higher risk of harm from GBCA administration.

Brain iron deposition after Ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI: A study of Porcine Brains

Recent evidence of gadolinium deposition in the brain has raised safety concerns. Iron oxide nanoparticles are re-emerging as promising alternative MR contrast agents, because the iron core can be metabolized. However, long-term follow up studies of the brain after intravenous iron oxide administration have not been reported thus far. In this study, we investigated, if intravenously administered ferumoxytol nanoparticles are deposited in porcine brains.

Methods: In an animal care and use committee-approved prospective case-control study, ten Göttingen minipigs received either intravenous ferumoxytol injections at a dose of 5 mg Fe/kg (n=4) or remained untreated (n=6). Nine to twelve months later, pigs were sacrificed and the brains of all pigs underwent ex vivo MRI at 7T with T2 and T2*-weighted sequences. MRI scans were evaluated by measuring R2* values (R2*=1000/T2*) of the bilateral caudate nucleus, lentiform nucleus, thalamus, dentate nucleus, and choroid plexus. Pig brains were sectioned and stained with Prussian blue and evaluated for iron deposition using a semiquantitative scoring system. Data of ferumoxytol exposed and unexposed groups were compared with an unpaired t-test and a Mann-Whitney U test.

Results: T2 and T2* signal of the different brain regions was not visually different between ferumoxytol exposed and unexposed controls. There were no significant differences in R2* values of the different brain regions in the ferumoxytol exposed group compared to controls (p>0.05). Prussian blue stains of the same brain regions, scored according to a semiquantitative score, were not significantly different either between the ferumoxytol exposed group and unexposed controls (p>0.05).

Conclusions: Our study shows that intravenous ferumoxytol doses of 5-10 mg Fe/kg do not lead to iron deposition in the brain of pigs. We suggest iron oxide nanoparticles as a promising alternative for gadolinium-enhanced MRI.

Pseudoprogression of brain tumors

This review describes the definition, incidence, clinical implications, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of pseudoprogression of brain tumors, in particular, but not limited to, high-grade glioma. Pseudoprogression is an important clinical problem after brain tumor treatment, interfering not only with day-to-day patient care but also the execution and interpretation of clinical trials. Radiologically, pseudoprogression is defined as a new or enlarging area(s) of contrast agent enhancement, in the absence of true tumor growth, which subsides or stabilizes without a change in therapy. The clinical definitions of pseudoprogression have been quite variable, which may explain some of the differences in reported incidences, which range from 9-30%. Conventional structural MRI is insufficient for distinguishing pseudoprogression from true progressive disease, and advanced imaging is needed to obtain higher levels of diagnostic certainty. Perfusion MRI is the most widely used imaging technique to diagnose pseudoprogression and has high reported diagnostic accuracy. Diagnostic performance of MR spectroscopy (MRS) appears to be somewhat higher, but MRS is less suitable for the routine and universal application in brain tumor follow-up. The combination of MRS and diffusion-weighted imaging and/or perfusion MRI seems to be particularly powerful, with diagnostic accuracy reaching up to or even greater than 90%. While diagnostic performance can be high with appropriate implementation and interpretation, even a combination of techniques, however, does not provide 100% accuracy. It should also be noted that most studies to date are small, heterogeneous, and retrospective in nature. Future improvements in diagnostic accuracy can be expected with harmonization of acquisition and postprocessing, quantitative MRI and computer-aided diagnostic technology, and meticulous evaluation with clinical and pathological data.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018.