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Altmann S, Grauhan NF, Mercado MAA, Steinmetz S, Kronfeld A, Paul R, Benkert T, Uphaus T, Groppa S, Winter Y, Brockmann MA, Othman AE. Deep Learning Accelerated Brain Diffusion-Weighted MRI with Super Resolution Processing. Acad Radiol 2024:S1076-6332(24)00139-9. [PMID: 38521612 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2024.02.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the clinical feasibility and image quality of accelerated brain diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with deep learning image reconstruction and super resolution. METHODS 85 consecutive patients with clinically indicated MRI at a 3 T scanner were prospectively included. Conventional diffusion-weighted data (c-DWI) with four averages were obtained. Reconstructions of one and two averages, as well as deep learning diffusion-weighted imaging (DL-DWI), were accomplished. Three experienced readers evaluated the acquired data using a 5-point Likert scale regarding overall image quality, overall contrast, diagnostic confidence, occurrence of artefacts and evaluation of the central region, basal ganglia, brainstem, and cerebellum. To assess interrater agreement, Fleiss' kappa (ϰ) was determined. Signal intensity (SI) levels for basal ganglia and the central region were estimated via automated segmentation, and SI values of detected pathologies were measured. RESULTS Intracranial pathologies were identified in 35 patients. DL-DWI was significantly superior for all defined parameters, independently from applied averages (p-value <0.001). Optimum image quality was achieved with DL-DWI by utilizing a single average (p-value <0.001), demonstrating very good (80.9%) to excellent image quality (14.5%) in nearly all cases, compared to 12.5% with very good and 0% with excellent image quality for c-MRI (p-value <0.001). Comparable results could be shown for diagnostic confidence. Inter-rater Fleiss' Kappa demonstrated moderate to substantial agreement for virtually all defined parameters, with good accordance, particularly for the assessment of pathologies (p = 0.74). Regarding SI values, no significant difference was found. CONCLUSION Ultra-fast diffusion-weighted imaging with super resolution is feasible, resulting in highly accelerated brain imaging while increasing diagnostic image quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Altmann
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Nils F Grauhan
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Mario Alberto Abello Mercado
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Sebastian Steinmetz
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Andrea Kronfeld
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Roman Paul
- Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, Rhabanusstr. 3/Tower A, 55118 Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Timo Uphaus
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Sergiu Groppa
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Yaroslav Winter
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany; Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Baldingerstr, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Marc A Brockmann
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Ahmed E Othman
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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Liang R, Schwendner M, Grziwotz M, Wiestler B, Wostrack M, Meyer B, Krieg SM, Ille S. Improving tractography in brainstem cavernoma patients by distortion correction. BRAIN & SPINE 2023; 3:102685. [PMID: 38021010 PMCID: PMC10668098 DOI: 10.1016/j.bas.2023.102685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Introduction The resection of brainstem cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM) harbors the risk of damaging the corticospinal tract (CST) and other major tracts. Hence, visualization of eloquent fiber tracts supports pre- and intraoperative planning. However, diffusion tensor imaging fiber tracking at brainstem level suffers from distortion due to field inhomogeneities and eddy currents by steep diffusion gradients. Research question This study aims to analyze the effect of distortion correction for CST tractography in brainstem CCM patients. Material and methods 25 patients who underwent resection of brainstem CCM were enrolled, 24 suffered from hemorrhage. We performed an anatomically based tractography of the CST with a mean minimal fractional anisotropy of 0.22 ± 0.04 before and after cranial distortion correction (CDC). Accuracy was measured by anatomical plausibility and aberrant fibers. Results CDC led to a more precise CST tractography, further approximating its assumed anatomical localization in all cases. CDC resulted in a significantly more ventral location of the CST of 1.5 ± 0.6 mm (6.1 ± 2.7 mm before CDC vs. 4.6 ± 2.1 mm after CDC; p < .0001) as measured by the distance to the basilar artery and of 1.7 ± 0.6 mm (8.9 ± 2.7 mm vs. 7.2 ± 2.1 mm; p < .0001) in relation to the clivus. Aberrant fibers were reduced by CDC in 44% of cases. We found a mean difference in CST volume of 0.6 ± 0.8 ccm. We could not detect motor deficits after resection of irregular fibers. Discussion and conclusion CDC effectively corrects tractography for distortion at brainstem level, especially in patients suffering from brainstem CCM, further approximating its actual anatomical localization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raimunde Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Maximilian Schwendner
- Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Marc Grziwotz
- Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Benedikt Wiestler
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Maria Wostrack
- Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Bernhard Meyer
- Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Sandro M. Krieg
- Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Ille
- Department of Neurosurgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Str. 22, 81675, Munich, Germany
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Zhang W, Liu N, Zhao Y, Yao C, Yang D, Yang C, Sun H, Wei X, Sweeney JA, Liang H, Zhang M, Gong Q, Lui S. The acute effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on laminar diffusion anisotropy of neocortical gray matter. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e335. [PMID: 37560755 PMCID: PMC10407029 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is increasingly used to treat neuropsychiatric disorders. Inhibitory and excitatory regimens have been both adopted but the exact mechanism of action remains unclear, and investigating their differential effects on laminar diffusion profiles of neocortex may add important evidence. Twenty healthy participants were randomly assigned to receive a low-frequency/inhibitory or high-frequency/excitatory rTMS targeting the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). With the brand-new submillimeter diffusion tensor imaging of whole brain and specialized surface-based laminar analysis, fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusion (MD) profiles of cortical layers at different cortical depths were characterized before/after rTMS. Inhibitory and excitatory rTMS both showed impacts on diffusion metrics of somatosensory, limbic, and sensory regions, but different patterns of changes were observed-increased FA with inhibitory rTMS, whereas decreased FA with excitatory rTMS. More importantly, laminar analysis indicated laminar specificity of changes in somatosensory regions during different rTMS patterns-inhibitory rTMS affected the superficial layers contralateral to the DLPFC, while excitatory rTMS led to changes in the intermediate/deep layers bilateral to the DLPFC. These findings provide novel insights into acute neurobiological effects on diffusion profiles of rTMS that may add critical evidence relevant to different protocols of rTMS on neocortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Zhang
- Department of Radiologyand Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC)West China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Research Unit of PsychoradiologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesChengduChina
| | - Naici Liu
- Department of Radiologyand Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC)West China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Research Unit of PsychoradiologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesChengduChina
| | - Youjin Zhao
- Department of Radiologyand Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC)West China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Research Unit of PsychoradiologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesChengduChina
| | - Chenyang Yao
- Department of Radiologyand Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC)West China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Research Unit of PsychoradiologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesChengduChina
| | - Dan Yang
- Department of Radiologyand Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Chengmin Yang
- Department of Radiologyand Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC)West China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Research Unit of PsychoradiologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesChengduChina
| | - Hui Sun
- Department of Radiologyand Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC)West China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Research Unit of PsychoradiologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesChengduChina
| | - Xia Wei
- Department of Radiologyand Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC)West China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Research Unit of PsychoradiologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesChengduChina
| | - John A. Sweeney
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC)West China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral NeuroscienceUniversity of Cincinnati College of MedicineCincinnatiOhioUSA
| | | | | | - Qiyong Gong
- Department of Radiologyand Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC)West China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Research Unit of PsychoradiologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesChengduChina
- Department of RadiologyWest China Xiamen Hospital of Sichuan UniversityXiamenFujianChina
| | - Su Lui
- Department of Radiologyand Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan ProvinceWest China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC)West China Hospital of Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
- Research Unit of PsychoradiologyChinese Academy of Medical SciencesChengduChina
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Chen H, Dai K, Bao J, Zhong S, Hu C, Liu Y, Zhang Z. Pseudo multishot echo-planar imaging for geometric distortion improvement. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 36:e4885. [PMID: 36454107 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4885] [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: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Conventional echo-planar imaging (EPI) uses a radiofrequency pulse for excitation and a prolonged echo train to sample k space, while off-resonance and T2 * decay effects caused by magnetic susceptibility variation accumulate within each echo, leading to geometric distortion. Multishot EPI methods, which divide k space into segments, can shorten the effective echo spacing and reduce the distortion on EPI images. But multiple shots cost longer scan time and render susceptibility to motion. In this study, we propose a new "multishot" EPI method termed pseudo multishot EPI (pmsEPI), in which phase-encoding lines are segmented as in multishot EPI but are collected within a single shot. With the magnetization divided into different pathways via interleaved excitation instead of refocusing in a single long echo train, the total phase error accumulation is reduced in each segmented acquisition, thereby improving distortion of the resultant EPI image. The performance of the pmsEPI method is demonstrated by phantom and in vivo brain experiments on a 3-T scanner. The experimental results show that the distortion displacements of pmsEPI acquisition compared with conventional EPI decrease by 50% with two pseudo shots and 66% with three pseudo shots, validating the ability of the method to obtain images with reduced distortion in a single shot, although magnetization splitting may induce more than 40% SNR loss and minor artifacts. Specifically, the ability of pmsEPI in diffusion-weighted imaging with different trajectory options is highlighted, and the flexibility is demonstrated in a single-shot blip up and down acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Medical Robotics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Dai
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianfeng Bao
- Functional Magnetic Resonance and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory of Henan Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sijie Zhong
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenxi Hu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiling Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyong Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Medical Robotics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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Liu S, Xiong Y, Dai E, Zhang J, Guo H. Improving distortion correction for isotropic high-resolution 3D diffusion MRI by optimizing Jacobian modulation. Magn Reson Med 2021; 86:2780-2794. [PMID: 34121222 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To improve distortion correction for isotropic high-resolution whole-brain 3D diffusion MRI when in a time-saving acquisition scenario. THEORY AND METHODS Data were acquired using simultaneous multi-slab (SMSlab) acquisitions, with a b = 0 image pair encoded by reversed polarity gradients (RPG) for phase encoding (PE) and diffusion weighted images encoded by a single PE direction. Eddy current-induced distortions were corrected first. During the following susceptibility distortion correction, image deformation was first corrected by the field map estimated from the b = 0 image pair. Intensity variation was subsequently corrected by Jacobian modulation. Two Jacobian modulation methods were compared. They calculated the Jacobian modulation map from the field map, or from the deformation corrected b = 0 image pair, termed as JField and JRPG , respectively. A modified version of the JRPG method, with proper smoothing, was further proposed for improved correction performance, termed as JRPG-smooth . RESULTS Compared to JField modulation, less remaining distortions are observed when using the JRPG and JRPG-smooth methods, especially in areas with large B0 field inhomogeneity. The original JRPG method causes signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) deficiency problem, which manifests as degraded SNR of the diffusion weighted images, while the JRPG-smooth method maintains the original image SNR. Less estimation errors of diffusion metrics are observed when using the JRPG-smooth method. CONCLUSION This study improves the distortion correction for isotropic high-resolution whole-brain 3D diffusion MRI by optimizing Jacobian modulation. The optimized method outperforms the conventional JField method regarding intensity variation correction and accuracy of diffusion metrics estimation, and outperforms the original JRPG method regarding SNR performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simin Liu
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuhui Xiong
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Erpeng Dai
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jieying Zhang
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Guo
- Center for Biomedical Imaging Research, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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