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Mašková B, Rožánek M, Gajdoš O, Karnoub E, Kamenský V, Donin G. Assessment of the Diagnostic Efficacy of Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Systematic Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:1564. [PMID: 39061702 PMCID: PMC11276230 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14141564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, there has been an increasing effort to take advantage of the potential use of low magnetic induction devices with less than 1 T, referred to as Low-Field MRI (LF MRI). LF MRI systems were used, especially in the early days of magnetic resonance technology. Over time, magnetic induction values of 1.5 and 3 T have become the standard for clinical devices, mainly because LF MRI systems were suffering from significantly lower quality of the images, e.g., signal-noise ratio. In recent years, due to advances in image processing with artificial intelligence, there has been an increasing effort to take advantage of the potential use of LF MRI with induction of less than 1 T. This overview article focuses on the analysis of the evidence concerning the diagnostic efficacy of modern LF MRI systems and the clinical comparison of LF MRI with 1.5 T systems in imaging the nervous system, musculoskeletal system, and organs of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. METHODOLOGY A systematic literature review of MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CENTRAL databases for the period 2018-2023 was performed according to the recommended PRISMA protocol. Data were analysed to identify studies comparing the accuracy, reliability and diagnostic performance of LF MRI technology compared to available 1.5 T MRI. RESULTS A total of 1275 publications were retrieved from the selected databases. Only two articles meeting all predefined inclusion criteria were selected for detailed assessment. CONCLUSIONS A limited number of robust studies on the accuracy and diagnostic performance of LF MRI compared with 1.5 T MRI was available. The current evidence is not sufficient to draw any definitive insights. More scientific research is needed to make informed conclusions regarding the effectiveness of LF MRI technology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin Rožánek
- Department of Biomedical Technology, Czech Technical University in Prague, 272 01 Kladno, Czech Republic; (B.M.); (O.G.); (E.K.); (V.K.); (G.D.)
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Kim M, Naish JH, Needleman SH, Tibiletti M, Taylor Y, O'Connor JPB, Parker GJM. Feasibility of dynamic T 2 *-based oxygen-enhanced lung MRI at 3T. Magn Reson Med 2024; 91:972-986. [PMID: 38013206 PMCID: PMC10952203 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To demonstrate proof-of-concept of a T2 *-sensitized oxygen-enhanced MRI (OE-MRI) method at 3T by assessing signal characteristics, repeatability, and reproducibility of dynamic lung OE-MRI metrics in healthy volunteers. METHODS We performed sequence-specific simulations for protocol optimisation and acquired free-breathing OE-MRI data from 16 healthy subjects using a dual-echo RF-spoiled gradient echo approach at 3T across two institutions. Non-linear registration and tissue density correction were applied. Derived metrics included percent signal enhancement (PSE), ∆R2 * and wash-in time normalized for breathing rate (τ-nBR). Inter-scanner reproducibility and intra-scanner repeatability were evaluated using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), repeatability coefficient, reproducibility coefficient, and Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS Simulations and experimental data show negative contrast upon oxygen inhalation, due to substantial dominance of ∆R2 * at TE > 0.2 ms. Density correction improved signal fluctuations. Density-corrected mean PSE values, aligned with simulations, display TE-dependence, and an anterior-to-posterior PSE reduction trend at TE1 . ∆R2 * maps exhibit spatial heterogeneity in oxygen delivery, featuring anterior-to-posterior R2 * increase. Mean T2 * values across 32 scans were 0.68 and 0.62 ms for pre- and post-O2 inhalation, respectively. Excellent or good agreement emerged from all intra-, inter-scanner and inter-rater variability tests for PSE and ∆R2 *. However, ICC values for τ-nBR demonstrated limited agreement between repeated measures. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate the feasibility of a T2 *-weighted method utilizing a dual-echo RF-spoiled gradient echo approach, simultaneously capturing PSE, ∆R2 * changes, and oxygen wash-in during free-breathing. The excellent or good repeatability and reproducibility on intra- and inter-scanner PSE and ∆R2 * suggest potential utility in multi-center clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Kim
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC)University College LondonLondonUK
| | - Josephine H. Naish
- Bioxydyn LimitedManchesterUK
- BHF Manchester Centre for Heart and Lung Magnetic Resonance Research (MCMR)Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustManchesterUK
| | - Sarah H. Needleman
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC)University College LondonLondonUK
| | | | - Yohn Taylor
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC)University College LondonLondonUK
| | - James P. B. O'Connor
- Division of Cancer SciencesUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
- Division of Radiotherapy and ImagingInstitute of Cancer ResearchLondonUK
| | - Geoff J. M. Parker
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC)University College LondonLondonUK
- Bioxydyn LimitedManchesterUK
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Campbell-Washburn AE, Varghese J, Nayak KS, Ramasawmy R, Simonetti OP. Cardiac MRI at Low Field Strengths. J Magn Reson Imaging 2024; 59:412-430. [PMID: 37530545 PMCID: PMC10834858 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.28890] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac MR imaging is well established for assessment of cardiovascular structure and function, myocardial scar, quantitative flow, parametric mapping, and myocardial perfusion. Despite the clear evidence supporting the use of cardiac MRI for a wide range of indications, it is underutilized clinically. Recent developments in low-field MRI technology, including modern data acquisition and image reconstruction methods, are enabling high-quality low-field imaging that may improve the cost-benefit ratio for cardiac MRI. Studies to-date confirm that low-field MRI offers high measurement concordance and consistent interpretation with clinical imaging for several routine sequences. Moreover, low-field MRI may enable specific new clinical opportunities for cardiac imaging such as imaging near metal implants, MRI-guided interventions, combined cardiopulmonary assessment, and imaging of patients with severe obesity. In this review, we discuss the recent progress in low-field cardiac MRI with a focus on technical developments and early clinical validation studies. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 5 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne E Campbell-Washburn
- Cardiovascular Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD USA
| | - Juliet Varghese
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Krishna S Nayak
- Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Alfred Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Rajiv Ramasawmy
- Cardiovascular Branch, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD USA
| | - Orlando P Simonetti
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Radiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Tian Y, Nayak KS. New clinical opportunities of low-field MRI: heart, lung, body, and musculoskeletal. MAGMA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 37:1-14. [PMID: 37902898 PMCID: PMC10876830 DOI: 10.1007/s10334-023-01123-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Contemporary whole-body low-field MRI scanners (< 1 T) present new and exciting opportunities for improved body imaging. The fundamental reason is that the reduced off-resonance and reduced SAR provide substantially increased flexibility in the design of MRI pulse sequences. Promising body applications include lung parenchyma imaging, imaging adjacent to metallic implants, cardiac imaging, and dynamic imaging in general. The lower cost of such systems may make MRI favorable for screening high-risk populations and population health research, and the more open configurations allowed may prove favorable for obese subjects and for pregnant women. This article summarizes promising body applications for contemporary whole-body low-field MRI systems, with a focus on new platforms developed within the past 5 years. This is an active area of research, and one can expect many improvements as MRI physicists fully explore the landscape of pulse sequences that are feasible, and as clinicians apply these to patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Tian
- Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, 3740 McClintock Ave, EEB 406, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-2564, USA.
| | - Krishna S Nayak
- Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, 3740 McClintock Ave, EEB 406, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-2564, USA
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Bauman G, Lee NG, Tian Y, Bieri O, Nayak KS. Submillimeter lung MRI at 0.55 T using balanced steady-state free precession with half-radial dual-echo readout (bSTAR). Magn Reson Med 2023; 90:1949-1957. [PMID: 37317635 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To demonstrate the feasibility of high-resolution morphologic lung MRI at 0.55 T using a free-breathing balanced steady-state free precession half-radial dual-echo imaging technique (bSTAR). METHODS Self-gated free-breathing bSTAR (TE1 /TE2 /TR of 0.13/1.93/2.14 ms) lung imaging in five healthy volunteers and a patient with granulomatous lung disease was performed using a 0.55 T MR-scanner. A wobbling Archimedean spiral pole (WASP) trajectory was used to ensure a homogenous coverage of k-space over multiple breathing cycles. WASP uses short-duration interleaves randomly tilted by a small polar angle and rotated by a golden angle about the polar axis. Data were acquired continuously over 12:50 min. Respiratory-resolved images were reconstructed off-line using compressed sensing and retrospective self-gating. Reconstructions were performed with a nominal resolution of 0.9 mm and a reduced isotropic resolution of 1.75 mm corresponding to shorter simulated scan times of 8:34 and 4:17 min, respectively. Analysis of apparent SNR was performed in all volunteers and reconstruction settings. RESULTS The technique provided artifact-free morphologic lung images in all subjects. The short TR of bSTAR in conjunction with a field strength of 0.55 T resulted in a complete mitigation of off-resonance artifacts in the chest. Mean SNR values in healthy lung parenchyma for the 12:50 min scan were 3.6 ± 0.8 and 24.9 ± 6.2 for 0.9 mm and 1.75 mm reconstructions, respectively. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the feasibility of morphologic lung MRI with a submillimeter isotropic spatial resolution in human subjects with bSTAR at 0.55 T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Bauman
- Division of Radiological Physics, Department of Radiology, University of Basel Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nam G Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ye Tian
- Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Oliver Bieri
- Division of Radiological Physics, Department of Radiology, University of Basel Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Krishna S Nayak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Seemann F, Javed A, Khan JM, Bruce CG, Chae R, Yildirim DK, Potersnak A, Wang H, Baute S, Ramasawmy R, Lederman RJ, Campbell-Washburn AE. Dynamic lung water MRI during exercise stress. Magn Reson Med 2023; 90:1396-1413. [PMID: 37288601 PMCID: PMC10521349 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29716] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Exercise-induced dyspnea caused by lung water is an early heart failure symptom. Dynamic lung water quantification during exercise is therefore of interest to detect early stage disease. This study developed a time-resolved 3D MRI method to quantify transient lung water dynamics during rest and exercise stress. METHODS The method was evaluated in 15 healthy subjects and 2 patients with heart failure imaged in transitions between rest and exercise, and in a porcine model of dynamic extravascular lung water accumulation through mitral regurgitation (n = 5). Time-resolved images were acquired at 0.55T using a continuous 3D stack-of-spirals proton density weighted sequence with 3.5 mm isotropic resolution, and derived using a motion corrected sliding-window reconstruction with 90-s temporal resolution in 20-s increments. A supine MRI-compatible pedal ergometer was used for exercise. Global and regional lung water density (LWD) and percent change in LWD (ΔLWD) were automatically quantified. RESULTS A ΔLWD increase of 3.3 ± 1.5% was achieved in the animals. Healthy subjects developed a ΔLWD of 7.8 ± 5.0% during moderate exercise, peaked at 16 ± 6.8% during vigorous exercise, and remained unchanged over 10 min at rest (-1.4 ± 3.5%, p = 0.18). Regional LWD were higher posteriorly compared the anterior lungs (rest: 33 ± 3.7% vs 20 ± 3.1%, p < 0.0001; peak exercise: 36 ± 5.5% vs 25 ± 4.6%, p < 0.0001). Accumulation rates were slower in patients than healthy subjects (2.0 ± 0.1%/min vs 2.6 ± 0.9%/min, respectively), whereas LWD were similar at rest (28 ± 10% and 28 ± 2.9%) and peak exercise (ΔLWD 17 ± 10% vs 16 ± 6.8%). CONCLUSION Lung water dynamics can be quantified during exercise using continuous 3D MRI and a sliding-window image reconstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Seemann
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ahsan Javed
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jaffar M Khan
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher G Bruce
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Rachel Chae
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Dursun Korel Yildirim
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Amanda Potersnak
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Haiyan Wang
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Scott Baute
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Rajiv Ramasawmy
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert J Lederman
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Adrienne E Campbell-Washburn
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Xu P, Meersmann T, Wang J, Wang C. Review of oxygen-enhanced lung mri: Pulse sequences for image acquisition and T 1 measurement. Med Phys 2023; 50:5987-6007. [PMID: 37345214 DOI: 10.1002/mp.16553] [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: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxygen-enhanced MR imaging (OE-MRI) is a special proton imaging technique that can be performed without modifying the scanner hardware. Many fundamental studies have been conducted following the initial reporting of this technique in 1996, illustrating the high potential for its clinical application. This review aims to summarise and analyse current pulse sequences and T1 measurement methods for OE-MRI, including fundamental theories, existing pulse sequences applied to OE-MRI acquisition and T1 mapping. Wash-in and wash-out time identify lung function and are sensitive to ventilation; thus, dynamic OE-MRI is also discussed in this review. We compare OE-MRI with the primary competitive technique, hyperpolarised gas MRI. Finally, an overview of lower-field applications of OE-MRI is highlighted, as relatively recent publications demonstrated positive results. Lower-field OE-MRI, which is lower than 1.5 T, could be an alternative modality for detecting lung diseases. This educational review is aimed at researchers who want a quick summary of the steps needed to perform pulmonary OE-MRI with a particular focus on sequence design, settings, and quantification methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Xu
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, China
| | - Thomas Meersmann
- Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic Imaging Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute, Ningbo, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, China
- Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute, Ningbo, China
| | - Chengbo Wang
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo, China
- Nottingham Ningbo China Beacons of Excellence Research and Innovation Institute, Ningbo, China
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Webb A, O'Reilly T. Tackling SNR at low-field: a review of hardware approaches for point-of-care systems. MAGMA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023:10.1007/s10334-023-01100-3. [PMID: 37202656 PMCID: PMC10386948 DOI: 10.1007/s10334-023-01100-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review the major hardware components of low-field point-of-care MRI systems which affect the overall sensitivity. METHODS Designs for the following components are reviewed and analyzed: magnet, RF coils, transmit/receive switches, preamplifiers, data acquisition system, and methods for grounding and mitigating electromagnetic interference. RESULTS High homogeneity magnets can be produced in a variety of different designs including C- and H-shaped as well as Halbach arrays. Using Litz wire for RF coil designs enables unloaded Q values of ~ 400 to be reached, with body loss representing about 35% of the total system resistance. There are a number of different schemes to tackle issues arising from the low coil bandwidth with respect to the imaging bandwidth. Finally, the effects of good RF shielding, proper electrical grounding, and effective electromagnetic interference reduction can lead to substantial increases in image signal-to-noise ratio. DISCUSSION There are many different magnet and RF coil designs in the literature, and to enable meaningful comparisons and optimizations to be performed it would be very helpful to determine a standardized set of sensitivity measures, irrespective of design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Webb
- Department of Radiology, C.J. Gorter MRI Center, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Thomas O'Reilly
- Department of Radiology, C.J. Gorter MRI Center, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Lyu M, Mei L, Huang S, Liu S, Li Y, Yang K, Liu Y, Dong Y, Dong L, Wu EX. M4Raw: A multi-contrast, multi-repetition, multi-channel MRI k-space dataset for low-field MRI research. Sci Data 2023; 10:264. [PMID: 37164976 PMCID: PMC10172399 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02181-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has gained renewed interest to promote MRI accessibility and affordability worldwide. The presented M4Raw dataset aims to facilitate methodology development and reproducible research in this field. The dataset comprises multi-channel brain k-space data collected from 183 healthy volunteers using a 0.3 Tesla whole-body MRI system, and includes T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images with in-plane resolution of ~1.2 mm and through-plane resolution of 5 mm. Importantly, each contrast contains multiple repetitions, which can be used individually or to form multi-repetition averaged images. After excluding motion-corrupted data, the partitioned training and validation subsets contain 1024 and 240 volumes, respectively. To demonstrate the potential utility of this dataset, we trained deep learning models for image denoising and parallel imaging tasks and compared their performance with traditional reconstruction methods. This M4Raw dataset will be valuable for the development of advanced data-driven methods specifically for low-field MRI. It can also serve as a benchmark dataset for general MRI reconstruction algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengye Lyu
- College of Health Science and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Lifeng Mei
- College of Health Science and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shoujin Huang
- College of Health Science and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Sixing Liu
- College of Health Science and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yi Li
- College of Health Science and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kexin Yang
- College of Health Science and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yilong Liu
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Dong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Samii Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Linzheng Dong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Samii Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ed X Wu
- Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Signal Processing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Li B, Lee NG, Cui SX, Nayak KS. Lung parenchyma transverse relaxation rates at 0.55 T. Magn Reson Med 2023; 89:1522-1530. [PMID: 36404674 PMCID: PMC10100111 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine R2 and R 2 ' $$ {R}_2^{\prime } $$ transverse relaxation rates in healthy lung parenchyma at 0.55 T. This is important in that it informs the design and optimization of new imaging methods for 0.55T lung MRI. METHODS Experiments were performed in 3 healthy adult volunteers on a prototype whole-body 0.55T MRI, using a custom free-breathing electrocardiogram-triggered, single-slice echo-shifted multi-echo spin echo (ES-MCSE) pulse sequence with respiratory navigation. Transverse relaxation rates R2 and R 2 ' $$ {R}_2^{\prime } $$ and off-resonance ∆f were jointly estimated using nonlinear least-squares estimation. These measurements were compared against R2 estimates from T2 -prepared balanced SSFP (T2 -Prep bSSFP) and R 2 * $$ {R}_2^{\ast } $$ estimates from multi-echo gradient echo, which are used widely but prone to error due to different subvoxel weighting. RESULTS The mean R2 and R 2 ' $$ {R}_2^{\prime } $$ values of lung parenchyma obtained from ES-MCSE were 17.3 ± 0.7 Hz and 127.5 ± 16.4 Hz (T2 = 61.6 ± 1.7 ms; T 2 ' $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2^{\prime } $$ = 9.5 ms ± 1.6 ms), respectively. The off-resonance estimates ranged from -60 to 30 Hz. The R2 from T2 -Prep bSSFP was 15.7 ± 1.7 Hz (T2 = 68.6 ± 8.6 ms) and R 2 * $$ {R}_2^{\ast } $$ from multi-echo gradient echo was 131.2 ± 30.4 Hz ( T 2 * $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2^{\ast } $$ = 8.0 ± 2.5 ms). Paired t-test indicated that there is a significant difference between the proposed and reference methods (p < 0.05). The mean R2 estimate from T2 -Prep bSSFP was slightly smaller than that from ES-MCSE, whereas the mean R 2 ' $$ {R}_2^{\prime } $$ and R 2 * $$ {R}_2^{\ast } $$ estimates from ES-MCSE and multi-echo gradient echo were similar to each other across all subjects. CONCLUSIONS Joint estimation of transverse relaxation rates and off-resonance is feasible at 0.55 T with a free-breathing electrocardiogram-gated and navigator-gated ES-MCSE sequence. At 0.55 T, the mean R2 of 17.3 Hz is similar to the reported mean R2 of 16.7 Hz at 1.5 T, but the mean R 2 ' $$ {R}_2^{\prime } $$ of 127.5 Hz is about 5-10 times smaller than that reported at 1.5 T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bochao Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Nam G Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Sophia X Cui
- Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Krishna S Nayak
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, USA.,Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Viterbi School of Engineering, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, USA
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11
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Fortier V, Levesque IR. MR-oximetry with fat DESPOT. Magn Reson Imaging 2023; 97:112-121. [PMID: 36608912 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2022.12.023] [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: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The R1 relaxation rate of fat is a promising marker of tissue oxygenation. Existing techniques to map fat R1 in MR-oximetry offer limited spatial coverage, require long scan times, or pulse sequences that are not readily available on clinical scanners. This work addresses these limitations with a 3D voxel-wise fat R1 mapping technique for MR-oximetry based on a variable flip angle (VFA) approach at 3 T. METHODS Varying levels of dissolved oxygen (O2) were generated in a phantom consisting of vials of safflower oil emulsion, used to approximate human fat. Joint voxel-wise mapping of fat and water R1 was performed with a two-compartment VFA model fitted to multi-echo gradient-echo magnitude data acquired at four flip angles, referred to as Fat DESPOT. Global R1 was also calculated. Variations of fat, water, and global R1 were investigated as a function of the partial pressure of O2 (pO2). Inversion-prepared stimulated echo magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used as the reference technique for R1 measurements. RESULTS Fat R1 from Fat DESPOT was more sensitive than water R1 and global R1 to variations in pO2, consistent with previous studies performed with different R1 mapping techniques. Fat R1 sensitivity to pO2 variations with Fat DESPOT (median O2 relaxivity r1, O2 = 1.57× 10-3 s-1 mmHg-1) was comparable to spectroscopy-based measurements for methylene, the main fat resonance (median r1, O2= 1.80 × 10-3 s-1 mmHg-1). CONCLUSION Fat and water R1 can be measured on a voxel-wise basis using a two-component fit to multi-echo 3D VFA magnitude data in a clinically acceptable scan time. Fat and water R1 measured with Fat DESPOT were sensitive to variations in pO2. These observations suggest an approach to 3D in vivo MR oximetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Véronique Fortier
- Medical Physics Unit, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Medical Imaging, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Diagnostic Radiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | - Ives R Levesque
- Medical Physics Unit, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
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12
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Abstract
The need for airway imaging is defined by the limited sensitivity of common clinical tests like spirometry, lung diffusion (DLCO) and blood gas analysis to early changes of peripheral airways and to inhomogeneous regional distribution of lung function deficits. Therefore, X-ray and computed tomography (CT) are frequently used to complement the standard tests.As an alternative, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers radiation-free lung imaging, but at lower spatial resolution. Non-contrast enhanced MRI shows healthy airways down to the first subsegmental level/4th order (CT: eighth). Bronchiectasis can be identified by wall thickening and fluid accumulation. Smaller airways become visible, when altered by peribronchiolar inflammation or mucus retention (tree-in-bud sign).The strength of MRI is functional imaging. Dynamic, time-resolved MRI directly visualizes expiratory airway collapse down to the lobar level (CT: segmental level). Obstruction of even smaller airways becomes visible as air trapping on the expiratory scans. MRI with hyperpolarized noble gases (3He, 129Xe) directly shows the large airways and peripheral lung ventilation. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE MRI) indirectly shows airway dysfunction as perfusion deficits resulting from hypoxic vasoconstriction of the dependent lung volumes. Further promising scientific approaches such as non-contrast enhanced, ventilation-/perfusion-weighted MRI from periodic signal changes of respiration and blood flow are in development.In summary, MRI of the lungs and airways excels with its unique combination of morphologic and functional imaging capacities for research (e.g., in chronic obstructive lung disease or asthma) as well as for clinical imaging (e.g., in cystic fibrosis).
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Affiliation(s)
- Juergen Biederer
- Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Faculty of Medicine, Kiel, Germany.,University of Latvia, Faculty of Medicine, Raina bulvaris, Riga, Latvia.,Translational Lung Research Center Heidelberg (TLRC), Member of the German Lung Research Center (DZL), Im Neuenheimer Feld, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Diagnostic and interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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13
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Lopez Schmidt I, Haag N, Shahzadi I, Frohwein LJ, Schneider C, Niehoff JH, Kroeger JR, Borggrefe J, Moenninghoff C. Diagnostic Image Quality of a Low-Field (0.55T) Knee MRI Protocol Using Deep Learning Image Reconstruction Compared with a Standard (1.5T) Knee MRI Protocol. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12051916. [PMID: 36902704 PMCID: PMC10003576 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12051916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Low-field MRI at 0.55 Tesla (T) with deep learning image reconstruction has recently become commercially available. The objective of this study was to evaluate the image quality and diagnostic reliability of knee MRI performed at 0.55T compared with 1.5T. METHODS A total of 20 volunteers (9 female, 11 male; mean age = 42 years) underwent knee MRI on a 0.55T system (MAGNETOM Free.Max, Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany; 12-channel Contour M Coil) and a 1.5T scanner (MAGNETOM Sola, Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany; 18-channel transmit/receive knee coil). Standard two-dimensional (2D) turbo spin echo (TSE), fat-suppressed (fs) proton density-weighted (PDw), T1w TSE, and T2w TSE sequences were acquired in approximately 15 min. In total, 2 radiologists blinded to the field strength subjectively assessed all MRI sequences (overall image quality, image noise, and diagnostic quality) using a 5-point Likert scale (1-5; 5 = best). Additionally, both radiologists evaluated the possible pathologies of menisci, ligaments, and cartilage. Contrast ratios (CRs) of different tissues (bone, cartilage, and menisci) were determined on coronal PDw fs TSE images. The statistical analysis included Cohen's kappa and the Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS The overall image quality of the 0.55T T2w, T1w, and PDw fs TSE sequences was diagnostic and rated similar for T1w (p > 0.05), but lower for PDw fs TSE and T2w TSE compared with 1.5T (p < 0.05). The diagnostic accordance of meniscal and cartilage pathologies at 0.55T was similar to 1.5T. The CRs of the tissues were not significantly different between 1.5T and 0.55T (p > 0.05). The inter-observer agreement of the subjective image quality was generally fair between both readers and almost perfect for the pathologies. CONCLUSIONS Deep learning-reconstructed TSE imaging at 0.55T yielded diagnostic image quality for knee MRI compared with standard 1.5T MRI. The diagnostic performance of meniscal and cartilage pathologies was equal for 0.55T and 1.5T without a significant loss of diagnostic information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingo Lopez Schmidt
- Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology and Nuclear Medicine, Johannes Wesling University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, 32429 Minden, Germany
| | - Nina Haag
- Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology and Nuclear Medicine, Johannes Wesling University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, 32429 Minden, Germany
| | - Iram Shahzadi
- Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology and Nuclear Medicine, Johannes Wesling University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, 32429 Minden, Germany
- Siemens Healthcare, GmbH, 91052 Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Claus Schneider
- Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology and Nuclear Medicine, Johannes Wesling University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, 32429 Minden, Germany
| | - Julius Henning Niehoff
- Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology and Nuclear Medicine, Johannes Wesling University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, 32429 Minden, Germany
| | - Jan Robert Kroeger
- Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology and Nuclear Medicine, Johannes Wesling University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, 32429 Minden, Germany
| | - Jan Borggrefe
- Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology and Nuclear Medicine, Johannes Wesling University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, 32429 Minden, Germany
| | - Christoph Moenninghoff
- Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology and Nuclear Medicine, Johannes Wesling University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, 32429 Minden, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-571-790-54602; Fax: +49-571-790-294601
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HERZ THORAX – Regionale Lungenfunktion bei Lymphangioleiomyomatose mit der MRT diagnostizieren. ROFO-FORTSCHR RONTG 2022. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1855-6347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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15
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Seemann F, Javed A, Chae R, Ramasawmy R, O'Brien K, Baute S, Xue H, Lederman RJ, Campbell-Washburn AE. Imaging gravity-induced lung water redistribution with automated inline processing at 0.55 T cardiovascular magnetic resonance. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2022; 24:35. [PMID: 35668497 PMCID: PMC9172183 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-022-00862-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quantitative assessment of dynamic lung water accumulation is of interest to unmask latent heart failure. We develop and validate a free-breathing 3D ultrashort echo time (UTE) sequence with automated inline image processing to image changes in lung water density (LWD) using high-performance 0.55 T cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). METHODS Quantitative lung water CMR was performed on 15 healthy subjects using free-breathing 3D stack-of-spirals proton density weighted UTE at 0.55 T. Inline image reconstruction and automated image processing was performed using the Gadgetron framework. A gravity-induced redistribution of LWD was provoked by sequentially acquiring images in the supine, prone, and again supine position. Quantitative validation was performed in a phantom array of vials containing mixtures of water and deuterium oxide. RESULTS The phantom experiment validated the capability of the sequence in quantifying water density (bias ± SD 4.3 ± 4.8%, intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.97). The average global LWD was comparable between imaging positions (supine 24.7 ± 3.4%, prone 22.7 ± 3.1%, second supine 25.3 ± 3.6%), with small differences between imaging phases (first supine vs prone 2.0%, p < 0.001; first supine vs second supine - 0.6%, p = 0.001; prone vs second supine - 2.7%, p < 0.001). In vivo test-retest repeatability in LWD was excellent (- 0.17 ± 0.91%, ICC = 0.97). A regional LWD redistribution was observed in all subjects when repositioning, with a predominant posterior LWD accumulation when supine, and anterior accumulation when prone (difference in anterior-posterior LWD: supine - 11.6 ± 2.7%, prone 5.5 ± 2.7%, second supine - 11.4 ± 2.9%). Global LWD maps were calculated inline within 23.2 ± 0.3 s following the image reconstruction using the automated pipeline. CONCLUSIONS Redistribution of LWD due to gravitational forces can be depicted and quantified using a validated free-breathing 3D proton density weighted UTE sequence and inline automated image processing pipeline on a high-performance 0.55 T CMR system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Seemann
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Ahsan Javed
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Rachel Chae
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Rajiv Ramasawmy
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Kendall O'Brien
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Scott Baute
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Hui Xue
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Robert J Lederman
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Adrienne E Campbell-Washburn
- Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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Geier ET, Prisk GK, Sá RC. Measuring short-term changes in specific ventilation using dynamic specific ventilation imaging. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2022; 132:1370-1378. [PMID: 35482322 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00652.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Specific ventilation imaging (SVI) measures the spatial distribution of specific ventilation (SV) in the lung with MRI by using inhaled oxygen as a contrast agent. Because of the inherently low signal to noise ratio in the technique, multiple switches between inspiring air and O2 are utilized, and the high spatial resolution SV distribution determined as an average over the entire imaging period (~20 minutes). We hypothesized that a trade-off between spatial and temporal resolution could allow imaging at a higher temporal resolution, at the cost of a coarser, yet acceptable, spatial resolution. The appropriate window length and spatial resolution compromise was determined by generating synthetic data with signal- and contrast-to-noise characteristics reflective of that in previously published experimental data, with a known and unchanging distribution of SV, and showed that acceptable results could be obtained in an imaging period of ~7 minutes (80 breaths), with a spatial resolution of ~1cm3. Previously published data were then reanalyzed. The average heterogeneity of the temporally resolved maps of SV were not different to the previous overall analysis, however the temporally resolved maps were less effective at detecting the amount of bronchoconstriction resulting from methacholine administration. The results further indicated that the initial response to inhaled methacholine and subsequent inhalation of albuterol were largely complete within ~22 minutes and ~9 minutes respectively, although there was a tendency for an ongoing developing effect in both cases. These results suggest that it is feasible to use a shortened SVI protocol, with a modest sacrifice in spatial resolution, in order to measure temporally dynamic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric T Geier
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Gordon Kim Prisk
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Rui Carlos Sá
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
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[Low-field magnetic resonance imaging : Just less expensive or completely different?]. Radiologe 2022; 62:385-393. [PMID: 35258684 DOI: 10.1007/s00117-022-00977-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Over the years the development of field strength in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has continued to increase from the low-field systems in the early years (0.2-0.5 T) to 1.5 T to 3 T to 7 T and more. In the last 2 years, there has been a renewed interest in MRI at lower fields, mainly driven by the development of "dry" superconductive magnets. The following article demonstrates that this renewed interest for lower fields is not a déjà vu purely driven by economic needs. The field strength appears to be from yesterday, but the combination with the tremendous improvements and innovations of all relevant components-gradients, radiofrequency system and especially new algorithms including the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-allow the realization of diagnostically adequate MRI without compromise in patient throughput and efficiency. In addition to the lower field, there are also some inherent advantages, e.g., for MRI of the lung and of metallic implants and especially for interventional MRI. It has already been shown that many of the devices used for interventional procedures (catheters, biopsy needles) can be used at lower fields without costly modifications. In addition, low-field MRI also allows the robust use of highly efficient sampling methods like spiral MRI. It is therefore safe to predict that low-field MRI is not only a cost-efficient compromise, but has the potential to open up new fields of application.
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