Quality assessment in in vivo NMR spectroscopy: V. Multicentre evaluation of prototype test objects and protocols for performance assessment in small bore MRS equipment

Active shimming for a 25 T NMR superconducting magnet by spectrum convergence method

In the design of ultrahigh field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) superconducting magnets, it typically requires a high homogeneous magnetic field in the diameter of spherical volume (DSV) to obtain high spectrum resolution. However, shimming technique presents challenges due to the magnet bore space limitations, as accurate measurement of magnetic field distribution is very difficult, especially for customized micro-bore magnets. In this study, we introduced an active shimming method that utilized iterative adjustment of shim coil currents to improve the magnetic field homogeneity based on the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the spectrum. The proposed method can determine the optimal set of currents for shim coils, effectively enhancing spatial field homogeneity by converging the FWHM. Experimental validation on a 25 T NMR superconducting magnet demonstrated the efficacy of the proposed method. Specifically, the active shimming method improved the field homogeneity of a 10 mm DSV from 7.09 ppm to 2.27 ppm with only four shim coils, providing a superior magnetic field environment for solid NMR and further magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experiment. Furthermore, the proposed method can be promoted to more customized micro-bore magnets that require high magnetic field homogeneity.

Measurement of MRI scanner performance with the ADNI phantom

The objectives of this study are as follows: to describe practical implementation challenges of multisite, multivendor quantitative studies; to describe the MRI phantom and analysis software used in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) study, illustrate the utility of the system for measuring scanner performance, the ability to assess gradient field nonlinearity corrections: and to recover human brain images without geometric scaling errors in multisite studies. ADNI is a large multicenter study with each center having its own copy of the phantom. The design of the phantom and analysis software are presented as results from predistribution systematics studies and results from field experience with the phantom at 58 enrolling ADNI sites over a 3 year period. The estimated coefficients of variation intrinsic to measurements of geometry in a single phantom are in the range of 3-5 parts in 10(4). Phantom measurements accurately detect linear and nonlinear scaling in images. Gradient unwarping methods are readily assessed by phantom nonlinearity measurements. Phantom-based scaling correction reduces observed geometric drift in human images by one-third or more. Repair or replacement of phantoms between scans, however, is a confounding factor. The ADNI phantom can be used to assess both scanner performance and the validity of postprocessing image corrections in order to reduce systematic errors in human images. Reduced measurement errors should decrease measurement bias and increase statistical power for measurements of rates of change in the brain structure in AD treatment trials. Perhaps the greatest practical value of incorporating ADNI phantom measurements in a multisite study is to identify scanner errors through central monitoring. This approach has resulted in identification of system errors including sites misidentification of their own gradient hardware and the disabling of autoshim, and a miscalibrated laser alignment light. If undetected, these errors would have contributed to imprecision in quantitative metrics at over 25% of all enrolling ADNI sites.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in the investigation of cancer at The Royal Marsden Hospital and The Institute of Cancer Research

Developments in magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) at The Royal Marsden Hospital and The Institute of Cancer Research are reviewed in the context of preceding developments in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and MRS, and some of the early developments in this field, particularly those leading to human measurements. The early development of technology, and associated techniques for human measurement and assessment will be discussed, with particular reference to experience at out institutions. Applications using particular nuclei will then be described and related to other experimental work where appropriate. Contributions to the development of MRS that have been published in Physics in Medicine and Biology will be discussed.

Quality assessment of localization technique performance in small volume in vivo 1H MR spectroscopy

A new phantom and evaluation method for experimental evaluation of 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy single volume localization techniques regarding signal contamination (C), defined as the part of the signal originating outside the volume of interest, is presented. The quality assessment method is based on a spherical phantom with an oil/water interface in order to reduce susceptibility effects, and applied for stimulated-echo acquisition method (STEAM) and spin-echo (SE) sequences, echo times of 270, 135, and 10 ms, and cubic volumes of interest (VOI) of 1(3), 1.5(3), 2(3), 2.5(3), and 3(3) cm3. To be able to mimic measurements of the contamination in three dimensions the physical gradients representing the three orthogonal directions for slice selection were shifted in the pulse sequences. Contamination values in one dimension differed between 6.5% and 8.4% in SE sequences, and between 0.7% and 13.8% in STEAM sequences. In STEAM sequences a decrease of C with increasing VOI size was observed while SE sequences showed comparable C values for the different VOI sizes tested. The total contamination in three dimensions were 19% and 18% in SE and STEAM sequences with a TE of 270 ms, and 7% in a STEAM sequence with a TE of 10 ms, respectively. The presented evaluation method is easily applied to the new phantom and showed high reproducibility.

Performance of 2D 1H spectroscopic imaging of the brain: some practical considerations regarding the measurement procedure

This paper deals with some of the practical considerations in the planning and performance of chemical shift imaging (MRSI or CSI) of the brain. It contains some aspects of 1) the imaging procedure (MRI), i.e., suggestions of an imaging protocol useful for the spectroscopic planning, 2) the planning of the spectroscopic volume, i.e., size and position, 3) evaluation and judgment of the preparation results, and 4) evaluation of the MRSI images. The paper also contains suggestions of developmental work and quality assessment to be done before patient studies are begun. Examples are given for MRSI studies of temporal lobe epilepsy. Several of the aspects described are obvious for the experienced spectroscopist but may be useful in the initiation of MRSI. The goal of this paper was to share our experiences of how to achieve high quality MRSI, experiences that we would had been grateful for in our prelude of MRSI experiments.

Absolute metabolite quantification by in vivo NMR spectroscopy: IV. Multicentre trial on MRSI localisation tests

The difference between the experimental and theoretical spatial response function (SRF) of a narrow tube with water is used for a localization test for magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI). From this difference a quantitative performance parameter is derived for the relative amount of signal within a limited region in the field of view. The total signal loss by the MRSI experiment and eddy currents is described by a parameter SL derived from the signal intensities of two echoes. Results of a European multi-centre trial show that this approach is suited for assessment of MRSI localization performance.

A two-compartment phantom for VOI profile measurements in small-bore 31P MR spectroscopy

A two-compartment gel phantom for VOI profile measurements in volume-selective 31P spectroscopy in small-bore units is presented. The phantom is cylindrical with two compartments divided by a very thin (30 microm) polyethene film. This thin film permits measurements with a minimum of susceptibility influences from the partition wall. The phantom was used for evaluation of the volume selection method ISIS (image-selected in vivo spectroscopy). The position of the phantom was fixed in the magnet during the measurements, while the volume of interest (VOI) was moved stepwise over the border. The signal from the two compartments was measured for each position and the data were evaluated following differentiation. We have found this phantom suitable for VOI profile measurements of ISIS in small-bore systems. The phantom forms a useful complement to recommended phantoms for small bore-spectroscopy.

Functional characterization of brain tumors: an overview of the potential clinical value

Early detection and characterization are still challenging issues in the diagnostic approach to brain tumors. Among functional imaging techniques, a clinical role for positron emission tomography studies with [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose and for single photon emission computed tomography studies with [201Tl]-thallium-chloride has emerged. The clinical role of magnetic resonance spectroscopy is still being defined, whereas functional magnetic resonance imaging seems able to provide useful data for presurgical localization of critical cortical areas. Integration of morphostructural information provided by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, with functional characterization and cyto-histologic evaluation of biologic markers, may assist in answering the open diagnostic questions concerning brain tumors.

Quality assessment in in vivo NMR spectroscopy: I. Introduction, objectives, and activities

By enabling noninvasive measurements of tissue biochemistry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) provides a unique means of characterizing tissues. Differences in equipment, techniques, and methodology between different laboratories cause major difficulties when comparing results, whether from measurements of tissue metabolism, or from the effects of different therapies. This is of concern in critically evaluating work from different laboratories and centres, causing potential difficulties in reproducing results, limiting the establishment of MRS as a standard method of diagnosis and of characterising disease and response to therapy in the laboratory and clinic. It also poses particular problems in establishing the multicentre clinical trials of MRS that are now required to provide adequate statistical power in confirming the encouraging preliminary clinical observations. These difficulties arise principally from imperfect localization of signal from selected regions of interest in the body, and from the subsequent analyses of the MRS spectra. Improvement is possible by establishing agreed procedures for test measurements and for data analysis, and by using appropriate test objects and test substances to establish the quality of measurements. A concerted research project on characterisation of biological tissues by NMR, principally concerned with MR imaging (MRI), was activated in 1984 by the European Economic Community as part of its third Medical and Health Research Programme, under the auspices of the Biomedical Engineering Concerted Actions' Committee (COMAC-BME). In 1988, this project was prolonged for 5 years, when the programme was expanded to encompass MRS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)