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Zhang Y, He W, Yang L, Xuan L, Wu J, He Y, Guo Y, Xu Z. Efficient imaging using spiral acquisitions on a portable 50-mT MR head scanner. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 36:e4988. [PMID: 37381057 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Ultralow-field (ULF) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can suffer from inferior image quality because of low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). As an efficient way to cover the k-space, the spiral acquisition technique has shown great potential in improving imaging SNR efficiency at ULF. The current study aimed to address the problems of noise and blurring cancelation in the ULF case with spiral trajectory, and we proposed a spiral-out sequence for brain imaging using a portable 50-mT MRI system. The proposed sequence consisted of three modules: noise calibration, field map acquisition, and imaging. In the calibration step, transfer coefficients were obtained between signals from primary and noise-pick-up coils to perform electromagnetic interference (EMI) cancelation. Embedded field map acquisition was performed to correct accumulated phase error due to main field inhomogeneity. Considering imaging SNR, a lower bandwidth for data sampling was adopted in the sequence design because the 50-mT scanner is in a low SNR regime. Image reconstruction proceeded with sampled data by leveraging system imperfections, such as gradient delays and concomitant fields. The proposed method can provide images with higher SNR efficiency compared with its Cartesian counterparts. An improvement in temporal SNR of approximately 23%-44% was measured via phantom and in vivo experiments. Distortion-free images with a noise suppression rate of nearly 80% were obtained by the proposed technique. A comparison was also made with a state-of-the-art EMI cancelation algorithm used in the ULF-MRI system. SNR efficiency-enhanced spiral acquisitions were investigated for ULF-MR scanners and future studies could focus on various image contrasts based on our proposed approach to widen ULF applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Zhang
- School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei He
- School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lei Yang
- School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liang Xuan
- School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiamin Wu
- Shenzhen Academy of Aerospace Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Yucheng He
- Shenzhen Academy of Aerospace Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yi Guo
- Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Zheng Xu
- School of Electrical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
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2
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Wang Z, Ramasawmy R, Feng X, Campbell-Washburn AE, Mugler JP, Meyer CH. Concomitant magnetic-field compensation for 2D spiral-ring turbo spin-echo imaging at 0.55T and 1.5T. Magn Reson Med 2023; 90:552-568. [PMID: 37036033 PMCID: PMC10578525 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop 2D turbo spin-echo (TSE) imaging using annular spiral rings (abbreviated "SPRING-RIO TSE") with compensation of concomitant gradient fields and B0 inhomogeneity at both 0.55T and 1.5T for fast T2 -weighted imaging. METHODS Strategies of gradient waveform modifications were implemented in SPRING-RIO TSE for compensation of self-squared concomitant gradient terms at the TE and across echo spacings, along with reconstruction-based corrections to simultaneously compensate for the residual concomitant gradient and B0 field induced phase accruals along the readout. The signal pathway disturbance caused by time-varying and spatially dependent concomitant fields was simulated, and echo-to-echo phase variations before and after sequence-based compensation were compared. Images from SPRING-RIO TSE with no compensation, with compensation, and Cartesian TSE were also compared via phantom and in vivo acquisitions. RESULTS Simulation showed how concomitant fields affected the signal evolution with no compensation, and both simulation and phantom studies demonstrated the performance of the proposed sequence modifications, as well as the readout off-resonance corrections. Volunteer data showed that after full correction, the SPRING-RIO TSE sequence achieved high image quality with improved SNR efficiency (15%-20% increase), and reduced RF SAR (˜50% reduction), compared to the standard Cartesian TSE, presenting potential benefits, especially in regaining SNR at low-field (0.55T). CONCLUSION Implementation of SPRING-RIO TSE with concomitant field compensation was tested at 0.55T and 1.5T. The compensation principles can be extended to correct for other trajectory types that are time-varying along the echo train and temporally asymmetric in TSE-based imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixing Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Rajiv Ramasawmy
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Xue Feng
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Adrienne E. Campbell-Washburn
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - John P. Mugler
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Craig H. Meyer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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3
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Ramasawmy R, Mugler JP, Javed A, Wang Z, Herzka DA, Meyer CH, Campbell-Washburn AE. Concomitant field compensation of spiral turbo spin-echo at 0.55 T. MAGMA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 36:465-475. [PMID: 37306784 PMCID: PMC10771127 DOI: 10.1007/s10334-023-01103-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Diagnostic-quality neuroimaging methods are vital for widespread clinical adoption of low field MRI. Spiral imaging is an efficient acquisition method that can mitigate the reduced signal-to-noise ratio at lower field strengths. As concomitant field artifacts are worse at lower field, we propose a generalizable quadratic gradient-field nulling as an echo-to-echo compensation and apply it to spiral TSE at 0.55 T. MATERIALS AND METHODS A spiral in-out TSE acquisition was developed with a compensation for concomitant field variation between spiral interleaves, by adding bipolar gradients around each readout to minimize phase differences at each refocusing pulse. Simulations were performed to characterize concomitant field compensation approaches. We demonstrate our proposed compensation method in phantoms and (n = 8) healthy volunteers at 0.55 T. RESULTS Spiral read-outs with integrated spoiling demonstrated strong concomitant field artifacts but were mitigated using the echo-to-echo compensation. Simulations predicted a decrease of concomitant field phase RMSE between echoes of 42% using the proposed compensation. Spiral TSE improved SNR by 17.2 ± 2.3% compared to reference Cartesian acquisition. DISCUSSION We demonstrated a generalizable approach to mitigate concomitant field artifacts for spiral TSE acquisitions via the addition of quadratic-nulling gradients, which can potentially improve neuroimaging at low-field through increased acquisition efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv Ramasawmy
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - John P Mugler
- Department of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Ahsan Javed
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zhixing Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Daniel A Herzka
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Craig H Meyer
- Department of Radiology & Medical Imaging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Adrienne E Campbell-Washburn
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Sartoretti E, Sartoretti-Schefer S, van Smoorenburg L, Eichenberger B, Schwenk Á, Czell D, Alfieri A, Binkert C, Wyss M, Sartoretti T. Spiral gradient echo versus cartesian turbo spin echo imaging for sagittal contrast-enhanced fat-suppressed T1 weighted spine MRI: an inter-individual comparison study. Br J Radiol 2022; 95:20210354. [PMID: 34762522 PMCID: PMC10996313 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20210354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare a novel 3D spiral gradient echo (GRE) sequence with a conventional 2D cartesian turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence for sagittal contrast-enhanced (CE) fat-suppressed (FS) T1 weighted (T1W) spine MRI. METHODS In this inter-individual comparison study, 128 patients prospectively underwent sagittal CE FS T1W spine MRI with either a 2D cartesian TSE ("TSE", 285 s, 64 patients) or a 3D spiral GRE sequence ("Spiral", 93 s, 64 patients). Between both groups, patients were matched in terms of anatomical region (cervical/thoracic/lumbar spine and sacrum). Three readers used 4-point Likert scales to assess images qualitatively in terms of overall image quality, presence of artifacts, spinal cord visualization, lesion conspicuity and quality of fat suppression. RESULTS Spiral achieved a 67.4% scan time reduction compared to TSE. Interreader agreement was high (alpha=0.868-1). Overall image quality (4;[3,4] vs 3;[3,4], p<0.001 - p=0.002 for all readers), presence of artifacts (4;[3,4] vs 3;[3,4] p=0.027 - p=0.046 for all readers), spinal cord visualization (4;[4,4] vs 4;[3,4], p<0.001 for all readers), lesion conspicuity (4;[4,4] vs 4;[4,4], p=0.016 for all readers) and quality of fat suppression (4;[4,4] vs 4;[4,4], p=0.027 - p=0.033 for all readers), were all deemed significantly improved by all three readers on Spiral images as compared to TSE images. CONCLUSION We demonstrate the feasibility of a novel 3D spiral GRE sequence for improved and rapid sagittal CE FS T1W spine MRI. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE A 3D spiral GRE sequence allows for improved sagittal CE FS T1W spine MRI at very short scan times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Sartoretti
- Institute of Radiology, Kantonsspital Winterthur,
Winterthur, Switzerland
- University of Zürich,
Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Árpád Schwenk
- Institute of Radiology, Kantonsspital Winterthur,
Winterthur, Switzerland
| | | | - Alex Alfieri
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kantonsspital
Winterthur, Winterthur,
Switzerland
| | - Christoph Binkert
- Institute of Radiology, Kantonsspital Winterthur,
Winterthur, Switzerland
| | | | - Thomas Sartoretti
- Institute of Radiology, Kantonsspital Winterthur,
Winterthur, Switzerland
- University of Zürich,
Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht
University Medical Center, Maastricht University,
Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Hennig J, Barghoorn A, Zhang S, Zaitsev M. Single shot spiral
TSE
with annulated segmentation. Magn Reson Med 2022; 88:651-662. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Juergen Hennig
- University Medical Center FREIBURG, Dept.of Radiology, Medical Physics Freiburg Germany
- Center for Basics in NeuroModulation (NeuroModulBasics) Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg Freiburg Germany
| | - Antonia Barghoorn
- University Medical Center FREIBURG, Dept.of Radiology, Medical Physics Freiburg Germany
| | - Shuoyue Zhang
- University Medical Center FREIBURG, Dept.of Radiology, Medical Physics Freiburg Germany
| | - Maxim Zaitsev
- University Medical Center FREIBURG, Dept.of Radiology, Medical Physics Freiburg Germany
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Sartoretti E, Sartoretti-Schefer S, van Smoorenburg L, Binkert CA, Gutzeit A, Wyss M, Sartoretti T. Spiral 3D time-of-flight MR angiography for rapid non-contrast carotid artery imaging: Clinical feasibility and protocol optimization. Phys Med 2021; 93:20-28. [PMID: 34902771 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2021.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the clinical feasibility of spiral 3D Time-Of-Flight (TOF) MR Angiography (MRA) sequence variants for rapid non-contrast carotid artery imaging. METHODS Nine different 3D TOF MRA sequences were acquired in nine healthy volunteers on a standard clinical 1.5 T scanner. Three cartesian sequences (fully sampled (10:15 min), accelerated with SENSE (05:08 min), accelerated with Compressed SENSE (03:32 min)) and six different spiral sequences were acquired (spiral acquisition windows ranging from 10 to 5 ms (01:32 min-03:05 min)). Three readers graded the images qualitatively in terms of overall image quality, vessel sharpness, inhomogeneous intraluminal signal, background noise, visualization of large and small vessels and overall impression of the number of visible vessels. Cross-sectional areas of the vessel lumen were measured and vessel sharpness was quantified. RESULTS The SENSE and Compressed SENSE accelerated cartesian sequences and the Spiral 6 ms and 5 ms sequences were deemed comparable to the fully sampled cartesian sequence in most qualitative categories (p > 0.05) based on exact binomial tests. The Spiral 6 ms and 5 ms sequences achieved a scan time reduction of 75.3% and 69.9% respectively compared to the fully sampled cartesian sequence. The spiral sequences (generally) exhibited improved subjective vessel sharpness (p < 0.01-p = 0.13) but increased background noise (p = 0.03-p = 0.25). Cross-sectional area measurements were similar between all sequences (Krippendorff's alpha: 0.955-0.982). Quantitative vessel sharpness was increased for all spiral sequences compared to all cartesian sequences (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS Spiral 3D TOF MRA sequences with a spiral acquisition window of 5 ms or 6 ms may be used for accurate, rapid, clinical non-contrast carotid artery imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Sartoretti
- Institute of Radiology, Kantonsspital Winterthur, Brauerstrasse 15, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland; University of Zurich, Faculty of Medicine, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Sartoretti-Schefer
- Institute of Radiology, Kantonsspital Winterthur, Brauerstrasse 15, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland; University of Zurich, Faculty of Medicine, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Luuk van Smoorenburg
- Institute of Radiology, Kantonsspital Winterthur, Brauerstrasse 15, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Christoph A Binkert
- Institute of Radiology, Kantonsspital Winterthur, Brauerstrasse 15, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland; University of Zurich, Faculty of Medicine, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Gutzeit
- Department of Radiology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Thomas Sartoretti
- Institute of Radiology, Kantonsspital Winterthur, Brauerstrasse 15, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland; University of Zurich, Faculty of Medicine, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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7
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Contrast-Enhanced T1-Weighted Head and Neck MRI: Prospective Intraindividual Image Quality Comparison of Spiral GRE, Cartesian GRE, and Cartesian TSE Sequences. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2021; 218:132-139. [PMID: 34406050 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.21.26413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND. Sequences with noncartesian k-space sampling may improve image quality of head and neck MRI. OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to compare intraindividually the image quality of a spiral gradient-recalled echo (GRE) sequence and conventional cartesian GRE and cartesian turbo spin-echo (TSE) sequences for contrast-enhanced T1-weighted head and neck MRI. METHODS. This prospective study included patients referred for contrast-enhanced head and neck MRI from August 2020 to May 2021. Patients underwent 1.5-T MRI including contrast-enhanced spiral GRE (2 minutes 28 seconds), cartesian GRE (4 minutes 27 seconds), and cartesian TSE (3 minutes 41 seconds) sequences, acquired in rotating order across patients. Three radiologists independently assessed image quality measures, including conspicuity of prespecified lesions, using 5-point Likert scales. One reader measured maximal extent of dental material artifact and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). RESULTS. Thirty-one patients (13 men, 18 women; mean age, 63.8 years) were enrolled. Nineteen patients had a focal lesion; 22 had dental material. Interreader agreement for image quality measures was substantial to excellent (Krippendorff alpha, 0.681-1.000). Scores for overall image quality (whole head and neck, neck only, and head only), pulsation artifact, muscular contour delineation, vessel contour delineation, motion artifact, and differentiation between mucosa and pharyngeal muscles were significantly better for spiral GRE than for cartesian GRE and cartesian TSE for all readers (p < .05). Scores for lesion conspicuity (whole head and neck, neck only, and head only), quality of fat suppression, flow artifact, and foldover artifact were not significantly different between spiral GRE and the cartesian sequences for any reader (p > .05). Dental material artifact scores were significantly worse for spiral GRE than the other sequences for all readers (p < .05). The mean maximum extent of dental material artifact was 39.6 ± 25.5 (SD) mm for spiral GRE, 35.6 ± 24.3 mm for cartesian GRE, and 29.6 ± 21.4 mm for cartesian TSE; the mean CNR was 221.1 ± 94.5 for spiral GRE, 151.8 ± 85.7 for cartesian GRE, and 153.0 ± 63.2 for cartesian TSE (p < .001 between spiral GRE and other sequences for both measures). CONCLUSION. Three-dimensional spiral GRE improves subjective image quality and CNR of head and neck MRI with shorter scan time versus cartesian sequences, though it exhibits larger dental material artifact. CLINICAL IMPACT. A spiral sequence may help overcome certain challenges of conventional cartesian sequences for head and neck MRI.
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Sartoretti E, Sartoretti-Schefer S, van Smoorenburg L, Binkert CA, Gutzeit A, Wyss M, Sartoretti T. Spiral 2D T2-Weighted TSE Brain MR Imaging: Initial Clinical Experience. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2021; 42:1962-1967. [PMID: 34674994 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a7299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Spiral MR imaging may enable improved image quality and higher scan speeds than Cartesian trajectories. We sought to compare a novel spiral 2D T2-weighted TSE sequence with a conventional Cartesian and an artifact-robust, non-Cartesian sequence named MultiVane for routine clinical brain MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-one patients were scanned with all 3 sequences (Cartesian, 4 minutes 14 seconds; MultiVane, 2 minutes 49 seconds; spiral, 2 minutes 12 seconds) on a standard clinical 1.5T MR scanner. Three readers described the presence and location of abnormalities and lesions and graded images qualitatively in terms of overall image quality, the presence of motion and pulsation artifacts, gray-white matter differentiation, lesion conspicuity, and subjective preference. Image quality was objectivized by measuring the SNR and the coefficients of variation for CSF, GM, and WM. RESULTS Spiral achieved a scan time reduction of 51.9% and 21.9% compared with Cartesian and MultiVane, respectively. The number and location of lesions were identical among all sequences. As for the qualitative analysis, interreader agreement was high (Krippendorff α > .75). Spiral and MultiVane both outperformed the Cartesian sequence in terms of overall image quality, the presence of motion artifacts, and subjective preference (P < .001). In terms of the presence of pulsation artifacts, gray-white matter differentiation, and lesion conspicuity, all 3 sequences performed similarly well (P > .15). Spiral and MultiVane outperformed the Cartesian sequence in coefficient of variation WM and SNR (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS Spiral 2D T2WI TSE is feasible for routine structural brain MR imaging and offers high-quality, artifact-robust brain imaging in short scan times.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Sartoretti
- From the Institute of Radiology (E.S., S.S.-S., L.v.S., C.A.B., T.S.), Kantonsspital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine (E.S., T.S.), University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - S Sartoretti-Schefer
- From the Institute of Radiology (E.S., S.S.-S., L.v.S., C.A.B., T.S.), Kantonsspital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - L van Smoorenburg
- From the Institute of Radiology (E.S., S.S.-S., L.v.S., C.A.B., T.S.), Kantonsspital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - C A Binkert
- From the Institute of Radiology (E.S., S.S.-S., L.v.S., C.A.B., T.S.), Kantonsspital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - A Gutzeit
- Department of Radiology (A.G.), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - M Wyss
- Philips Healthcare (M.W.), Zürich, Switzerland
| | - T Sartoretti
- From the Institute of Radiology (E.S., S.S.-S., L.v.S., C.A.B., T.S.), Kantonsspital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine (E.S., T.S.), University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (T.S.), Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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9
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Jordan SP, Hu S, Rozada I, McGivney DF, Boyacioğlu R, Jacob DC, Huang S, Beverland M, Katzgraber HG, Troyer M, Griswold MA, Ma D. Automated design of pulse sequences for magnetic resonance fingerprinting using physics-inspired optimization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2020516118. [PMID: 34593630 PMCID: PMC8501900 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2020516118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) is a method to extract quantitative tissue properties such as [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] relaxation rates from arbitrary pulse sequences using conventional MRI hardware. MRF pulse sequences have thousands of tunable parameters, which can be chosen to maximize precision and minimize scan time. Here, we perform de novo automated design of MRF pulse sequences by applying physics-inspired optimization heuristics. Our experimental data suggest that systematic errors dominate over random errors in MRF scans under clinically relevant conditions of high undersampling. Thus, in contrast to prior optimization efforts, which focused on statistical error models, we use a cost function based on explicit first-principles simulation of systematic errors arising from Fourier undersampling and phase variation. The resulting pulse sequences display features qualitatively different from previously used MRF pulse sequences and achieve fourfold shorter scan time than prior human-designed sequences of equivalent precision in [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] Furthermore, the optimization algorithm has discovered the existence of MRF pulse sequences with intrinsic robustness against shading artifacts due to phase variation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Siyuan Hu
- Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - Ignacio Rozada
- Optimization Solutions, 1QBit, Vancouver, BC V6E 4B1, Canada
| | - Debra F McGivney
- Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - Rasim Boyacioğlu
- Radiology Department, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - Darryl C Jacob
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX 77843
| | - Sherry Huang
- Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | | | | | | | - Mark A Griswold
- Radiology Department, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
| | - Dan Ma
- Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106;
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10
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Sartoretti E, Sartoretti T, van Smoorenburg L, Sartoretti-Schefer S, Wyss M, Binkert CA. Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of a Spiral Gradient Echo Sequence for Contrast-Enhanced Fat-Suppressed T1-Weighted Spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Invest Radiol 2021; 56:517-524. [PMID: 33653993 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pulse sequences with non-Cartesian k-space sampling enable improved imaging in anatomical areas with high degrees of motion artifacts. We analyzed a novel spiral 3-dimensional (3D) gradient echo (GRE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence ("spiral," 114.7 ± 11 seconds) and compared it with a radial 3D GRE ("vane," 216.7 ± 2 seconds) and a conventional Cartesian 2D turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence ("TSE," 266.7 ± 82 seconds) for contrast-enhanced fat-suppressed T1-weighted spine imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty consecutive patients referred for contrast-enhanced MRI were prospectively scanned with all 3 sequences. A qualitative analysis was performed by 3 readers using 4- or 5-point Likert scales to independently grade images in terms of overall image quality, occurrence of artifacts, lesion conspicuity, and conspicuity of nerve roots. The numbers of visible nerve roots per sequence and patient were counted in consensus. Coefficient of variation measurements were performed for the paravertebral musculature (CVPM) and the spinal cord (CVSC). RESULTS Spiral (median [interquartile range], 5 [4-5]) exhibited improved overall image quality in comparison to TSE (3 [3-4]) and vane (4 [4-5]; both P < 0.001). Vane surpassed TSE in terms of overall image quality (P < 0.001). Spiral (4 [3.75-4]) and vane (3.5 [3-4]) presented with less artifacts than TSE (3 [2.75-3.25]; both P < 0.001). Spiral (4 [4-5]) outperformed vane (4 [3-5]; P = 0.01) and TSE (4 [3-4]; P = 0.04) in terms of lesion conspicuity. Conspicuity of nerve roots was superior on spiral (3 [3-4]) and vane (4 [3-4]) when compared with TSE (1.5 [1-2]; both P < 0.001). Readers discerned significantly more nerve roots on spiral (4 [2.75-8]) and vane (4 [3.75-7.25]) images when compared with TSE (2 [0-4]; both P < 0.001). Interreader agreement ranged from moderate (α = 0.639) to almost perfect (α = 0.967). CVPM and CVSC were significantly lower on spiral as compared with vane and TSE (P < 0.001, P = 0.04). Vane exhibited lower CVPM and CVSC than TSE (P < 0.001, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS A novel spiral 3D GRE sequence improves contrast-enhanced fat-suppressed T1-weighted spinal imaging qualitatively and quantitatively in comparison with a conventional Cartesian 2D TSE sequence and to a lesser extent with a radial 3D GRE sequence at shorter scan times.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Luuk van Smoorenburg
- From the Institute of Radiology, Kantonsspital Winterthur, Brauerstrasse 15, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Sartoretti-Schefer
- From the Institute of Radiology, Kantonsspital Winterthur, Brauerstrasse 15, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland
| | | | - Christoph A Binkert
- From the Institute of Radiology, Kantonsspital Winterthur, Brauerstrasse 15, 8401 Winterthur, Switzerland
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Spiral 3-Dimensional T1-Weighted Turbo Field Echo: Increased Speed for Magnetization-Prepared Gradient Echo Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Invest Radiol 2021; 55:775-784. [PMID: 32816415 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Spiral magnetic resonance imaging acquisition may enable improved image quality and higher scan speeds than Cartesian trajectories. We tested the performance of four 3D T1-weighted (T1w) TFE sequences (magnetization-prepared gradient echo magnetic resonance sequence) with isotropic spatial resolution for brain imaging at 1.5 T in a clinical patient cohort based on qualitative and quantitative image quality metrics. Two prototypical spiral TFE sequences (spiral 1.0 and spiral 0.85) and a Cartesian compressed sensing technology accelerated TFE sequence (CS 2.5; acceleration factor of 2.5) were compared with a conventional (reference standard) Cartesian parallel imaging accelerated TFE sequence (SENSE; acceleration factor of 1.8). MATERIALS AND METHODS The SENSE (5:52 minutes), CS 2.5 (3:17 minutes), and spiral 1.0 (2:16 minutes) sequences all had identical spatial resolutions (1.0 mm). The spiral 0.85 (3:47 minutes) had a higher spatial resolution (0.85 mm). The 4 TFE sequences were acquired in 41 patients (20 with and 21 without contrast media). Three readers rated qualitative image quality (12 categories) and selected their preferred sequence for each patient. Two readers performed quantitative analysis whereby 6 metrics were derived: contrast-to-noise ratio for white and gray matter (CNRWM/GM), contrast ratio for gray matter-CSF (CRGM/CSF), and white matter-CSF (CRWM/CSF); and coefficient of variations for gray matter (CVGM), white matter (CVWM), and CSF (CVCSF). Friedman tests with post hoc Nemenyi tests, exact binomial tests, analysis of variance with post hoc Dunnett tests, and Krippendorff alphas were computed. RESULTS Concerning qualitative analysis, the CS 2.5 sequence significantly outperformed the SENSE in 4/1 (with/without contrast) categories, whereas the spiral 1.0 and spiral 0.85 showed significantly improved scores in 10/9and 7/7 categories, respectively (P's < 0.001-0.039). The spiral 1.0 was most frequently selected as the preferred sequence (reader 1, 10/15 times; reader 2, 9/12 times; reader 3, 11/13times [with/without contrast]). Interreader agreement ranged from substantial to almost perfect (alpha = 0.615-0.997). Concerning quantitative analysis, compared with the SENSE, the CS 2.5 had significantly better scores in 2 categories (CVWM, CVCSF) and worse scores in 2 categories (CRGM/CSF, CRWM/CSF), the spiral 1.0 had significantly improved scores in 4 categories (CNRWM/GM, CRGM/CSF, CRWM/CSF, CVWM), and the spiral 0.85 had significantly better scores in 2 categories (CRGM/CSF, CRWM/CSF). CONCLUSIONS Spiral T1w TFE sequences may deliver high-quality clinical brain imaging, thus matching the performance of conventional parallel imaging accelerated T1w TFEs. Imaging can be performed at scan times as short as 2:16 minutes per sequence (61.4% scan time reduction compared with SENSE). Optionally, spiral imaging enables increased spatial resolution while maintaining the scan time of a Cartesian-based acquisition schema.
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Li Z, Pipe JG, Ooi MB, Kuwabara M, Karis JP. Improving the image quality of 3D FLAIR with a spiral MRI technique. Magn Reson Med 2019; 83:170-177. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Li
- Barrow Neurological Institute Phoenix Arizona
| | | | - Melvyn B. Ooi
- Barrow Neurological Institute Phoenix Arizona
- Philips Healthcare Gainesville Florida
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Robison RK, Li Z, Wang D, Ooi MB, Pipe JG. Correction of B
0
eddy current effects in spiral MRI. Magn Reson Med 2018; 81:2501-2513. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan K. Robison
- Phoenix Children's Hospital Phoenix Arizona
- Barrow Neurological Institute Phoenix Arizona
| | - Zhiqiang Li
- Barrow Neurological Institute Phoenix Arizona
| | | | - Melvyn B. Ooi
- Barrow Neurological Institute Phoenix Arizona
- Philips Healthcare Gainesville Florida
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Engel M, Kasper L, Barmet C, Schmid T, Vionnet L, Wilm B, Pruessmann KP. Single‐shot spiral imaging at 7
T. Magn Reson Med 2018; 80:1836-1846. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Engel
- Institute for Biomedical EngineeringETH Zurich and University of ZurichZurich Switzerland
| | - Lars Kasper
- Institute for Biomedical EngineeringETH Zurich and University of ZurichZurich Switzerland
- Translational Neuromodeling Unit, Institute for Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of Zurich and ETH ZurichZurich Switzerland
| | - Christoph Barmet
- Institute for Biomedical EngineeringETH Zurich and University of ZurichZurich Switzerland
- Skope Magnetic Resonance Technologies AGZurich Switzerland
| | - Thomas Schmid
- Institute for Biomedical EngineeringETH Zurich and University of ZurichZurich Switzerland
| | - Laetitia Vionnet
- Institute for Biomedical EngineeringETH Zurich and University of ZurichZurich Switzerland
| | - Bertram Wilm
- Institute for Biomedical EngineeringETH Zurich and University of ZurichZurich Switzerland
- Skope Magnetic Resonance Technologies AGZurich Switzerland
| | - Klaas P. Pruessmann
- Institute for Biomedical EngineeringETH Zurich and University of ZurichZurich Switzerland
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Abstract
PURPOSE 2D turbo-spin-echo (TSE) is widely used in the clinic for neuroimaging. However, the long refocusing radiofrequency pulse train leads to high specific absorption rate (SAR) and alters the contrast compared to conventional spin-echo. The purpose of this work is to develop a robust 2D spiral TSE technique for fast T2 -weighted imaging with low SAR and improved contrast. METHODS A spiral-in/out readout is incorporated into 2D TSE to fully take advantage of the acquisition efficiency of spiral sampling while avoiding potential off-resonance-related artifacts compared to a typical spiral-out readout. A double encoding strategy and a signal demodulation method are proposed to mitigate the artifacts because of the T2 -decay-induced signal variation. An adapted prescan phase correction as well as a concomitant phase compensation technique are implemented to minimize the phase errors. RESULTS Phantom data demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed double encoding/signal demodulation, as well as the prescan phase correction and concomitant phase compensation. Volunteer data show that the proposed 2D spiral TSE achieves fast scan speed with high SNR, low SAR, and improved contrast compared to conventional Cartesian TSE. CONCLUSION A robust 2D spiral TSE technique is feasible and provides a potential alternative to conventional 2D Cartesian TSE for T2 -weighted neuroimaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Li
- Imaging Research, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - John P Karis
- Department of Neuroradiology, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
| | - James G Pipe
- Imaging Research, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Arizona
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Wu W, Koopmans PJ, Frost R, Miller KL. Reducing slab boundary artifacts in three-dimensional multislab diffusion MRI using nonlinear inversion for slab profile encoding (NPEN). Magn Reson Med 2016; 76:1183-95. [PMID: 26510172 PMCID: PMC4854328 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.26027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To propose a method to reduce the slab boundary artifacts in three-dimensional multislab diffusion MRI. METHODS Bloch simulation is used to investigate the effects of multiple factors on slab boundary artifacts, including characterization of residual errors on diffusion quantification. A nonlinear inversion method is proposed to simultaneously estimate the slab profile and the underlying (corrected) image. RESULTS Correction results of numerical phantom and in vivo data demonstrate that the method can effectively remove slab boundary artifacts for diffusion data. Notably, the nonlinear inversion is also successful at short TR, a regimen where previously proposed methods (slab profile encoding and weighted average) retain residual artifacts in both diffusion-weighted images and diffusion metrics (mean diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy). CONCLUSION The nonlinear inversion for removing slab boundary artifacts provides improvements over existing methods, particularly at the short TRs required to maximize SNR efficiency. Magn Reson Med 76:1183-1195, 2016. © 2015 The Authors. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchuan Wu
- FMRIB Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Peter J Koopmans
- FMRIB Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Frost
- FMRIB Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Karla L Miller
- FMRIB Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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