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Oechtering TH, Roberts GS, Panagiotopoulos N, Wieben O, Roldán-Alzate A, Reeder SB. Abdominal applications of quantitative 4D flow MRI. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2022; 47:3229-3250. [PMID: 34837521 PMCID: PMC9135957 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-021-03352-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
4D flow MRI is a quantitative MRI technique that allows the comprehensive assessment of time-resolved hemodynamics and vascular anatomy over a 3-dimensional imaging volume. It effectively combines several advantages of invasive and non-invasive imaging modalities like ultrasound, angiography, and computed tomography in a single MRI acquisition and provides an unprecedented characterization of velocity fields acquired non-invasively in vivo. Functional and morphological imaging of the abdominal vasculature is especially challenging due to its complex and variable anatomy with a wide range of vessel calibers and flow velocities and the need for large volumetric coverage. Despite these challenges, 4D flow MRI is a promising diagnostic and prognostic tool as many pathologies in the abdomen are associated with changes of either hemodynamics or morphology of arteries, veins, or the portal venous system. In this review article, we will discuss technical aspects of the implementation of abdominal 4D flow MRI ranging from patient preparation and acquisition protocol over post-processing and quality control to final data analysis. In recent years, the range of applications for 4D flow in the abdomen has increased profoundly. Therefore, we will review potential clinical applications and address their clinical importance, relevant quantitative and qualitative parameters, and unmet challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thekla H. Oechtering
- University of Wisconsin, Department of Radiology, Madison, WI, United States,Universität zu Lübeck, Department of Radiology, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Grant S. Roberts
- University of Wisconsin, Department of Medical Physics, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos
- University of Wisconsin, Department of Radiology, Madison, WI, United States,Universität zu Lübeck, Department of Radiology, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Oliver Wieben
- University of Wisconsin, Department of Radiology, Madison, WI, United States,University of Wisconsin, Department of Medical Physics, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Alejandro Roldán-Alzate
- University of Wisconsin, Department of Radiology, Madison, WI, United States,University of Wisconsin, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Madison, WI, United States,University of Wisconsin, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Scott B. Reeder
- University of Wisconsin, Department of Radiology, Madison, WI, United States,University of Wisconsin, Department of Medical Physics, Madison, WI, United States,University of Wisconsin, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Madison, WI, United States,University of Wisconsin, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Madison, WI, United States,University of Wisconsin, Department of Emergency Medicine, Madison, WI, United States
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Oechtering TH, Roberts GS, Panagiotopoulos N, Wieben O, Reeder SB, Roldán-Alzate A. Clinical Applications of 4D Flow MRI in the Portal Venous System. Magn Reson Med Sci 2022; 21:340-353. [PMID: 35082218 PMCID: PMC9680553 DOI: 10.2463/mrms.rev.2021-0105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Evaluation of the hemodynamics in the portal venous system plays an essential role in many hepatic pathologies. Changes in portal flow and vessel morphology are often indicative of disease.Routinely used imaging modalities, such as CT, ultrasound, invasive angiography, and MRI, often focus on either hemodynamics or anatomical imaging. In contrast, 4D flow MRI facilitiates a more comprehensive understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms by simultaneously and noninvasively acquiring time-resolved flow and anatomical information in a 3D imaging volume.Though promising, 4D flow MRI in the portal venous system is especially challenging due to small vessel calibers, slow flow velocities, and breathing motion. In this review article, we will discuss how to account for these challenges when planning and conducting 4D flow MRI acquisitions in the upper abdomen. We will address patient preparation, sequence acquisition, postprocessing, quality control, and analysis of 4D flow data.In the second part of this article, we will review potential clinical applications of 4D flow MRI in the portal venous system. The most promising area for clinical utilization is the diagnosis and grading of liver cirrhosis and its complications. Relevant parameters acquired by 4D flow MRI include the detection of reduced or reversed flow in the portal venous system, characterization of portosystemic collaterals, and impaired response to a meal challenge. In patients with cirrhosis, 4D flow MRI has the potential to address the major unmet need of noninvasive detection of gastroesophageal varices at high risk for bleeding. This could replace many unnecessary, purely diagnostic, and invasive esophagogastroduodenoscopy procedures, thereby improving patient compliance with follow-up. Moreover, 4D flow MRI offers unique insights and added value for surgical planning and follow-up of multiple hepatic interventions, including transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts, liver transplantation, and hepatic disease in children. Lastly, we will discuss the path to clinical implementation and remaining challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thekla H. Oechtering
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Radiology, Universität zu Lübeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Grant S. Roberts
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Radiology, Universität zu Lübeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Oliver Wieben
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Scott B. Reeder
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Emergency, University of Wisconsin Medicine, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Alejandro Roldán-Alzate
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
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You S, Masutani EM, Alley MT, Vasanawala SS, Taub PR, Liau J, Roberts AC, Hsiao A. Deep Learning Automated Background Phase Error Correction for Abdominopelvic 4D Flow MRI. Radiology 2021; 302:584-592. [PMID: 34846200 PMCID: PMC8893183 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2021211270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Background Four-dimensional (4D) flow MRI has the potential to provide hemodynamic insights for a variety of abdominopelvic vascular diseases, but its clinical utility is currently impaired by background phase error, which can be challenging to correct. Purpose To assess the feasibility of using deep learning to automatically perform image-based background phase error correction in 4D flow MRI and to compare its effectiveness relative to manual image-based correction. Materials and Methods A convenience sample of 139 abdominopelvic 4D flow MRI acquisitions performed between January 2016 and July 2020 was retrospectively collected. Manual phase error correction was performed using dedicated imaging software and served as the reference standard. After reserving 40 examinations for testing, the remaining examinations were randomly divided into training (86% [85 of 99]) and validation (14% [14 of 99]) data sets to train a multichannel three-dimensional U-Net convolutional neural network. Flow measurements were obtained for the infrarenal aorta, common iliac arteries, common iliac veins, and inferior vena cava. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation, Bland-Altman analysis, and F tests with Bonferroni correction. Results A total of 139 patients (mean age, 47 years ± 14 [standard deviation]; 108 women) were included. Inflow-outflow correlation improved after manual correction (ρ = 0.94, P < .001) compared with that before correction (ρ = 0.50, P < .001). Automated correction showed similar results (ρ = 0.91, P < .001) and demonstrated very strong correlation with manual correction (ρ = 0.98, P < .001). Both correction methods reduced inflow-outflow variance, improving mean difference from -0.14 L/min (95% limits of agreement: -1.61, 1.32) (uncorrected) to 0.05 L/min (95% limits of agreement: -0.32, 0.42) (manually corrected) and 0.05 L/min (95% limits of agreement: -0.38, 0.49) (automatically corrected). There was no significant difference in inflow-outflow variance between manual and automated correction methods (P = .10). Conclusion Deep learning automated phase error correction reduced inflow-outflow bias and variance of volumetric flow measurements in four-dimensional flow MRI, achieving results comparable with manual image-based phase error correction. © RSNA, 2021 See also the editorial by Roldán-Alzate and Grist in this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie You
- From the School of Medicine (S.Y., E.M.M.), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (P.R.T.), and Department of Radiology (J.L., A.C.R., A.H.), University of California, San Diego, 9300 Campus Point Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037-0841; and Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif (M.T.A., S.S.V.)
| | - Evan M. Masutani
- From the School of Medicine (S.Y., E.M.M.), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (P.R.T.), and Department of Radiology (J.L., A.C.R., A.H.), University of California, San Diego, 9300 Campus Point Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037-0841; and Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif (M.T.A., S.S.V.)
| | - Marcus T. Alley
- From the School of Medicine (S.Y., E.M.M.), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (P.R.T.), and Department of Radiology (J.L., A.C.R., A.H.), University of California, San Diego, 9300 Campus Point Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037-0841; and Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif (M.T.A., S.S.V.)
| | - Shreyas S. Vasanawala
- From the School of Medicine (S.Y., E.M.M.), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (P.R.T.), and Department of Radiology (J.L., A.C.R., A.H.), University of California, San Diego, 9300 Campus Point Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037-0841; and Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif (M.T.A., S.S.V.)
| | - Pam R. Taub
- From the School of Medicine (S.Y., E.M.M.), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (P.R.T.), and Department of Radiology (J.L., A.C.R., A.H.), University of California, San Diego, 9300 Campus Point Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037-0841; and Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif (M.T.A., S.S.V.)
| | - Joy Liau
- From the School of Medicine (S.Y., E.M.M.), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (P.R.T.), and Department of Radiology (J.L., A.C.R., A.H.), University of California, San Diego, 9300 Campus Point Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037-0841; and Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif (M.T.A., S.S.V.)
| | - Anne C. Roberts
- From the School of Medicine (S.Y., E.M.M.), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (P.R.T.), and Department of Radiology (J.L., A.C.R., A.H.), University of California, San Diego, 9300 Campus Point Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037-0841; and Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif (M.T.A., S.S.V.)
| | - Albert Hsiao
- From the School of Medicine (S.Y., E.M.M.), Department of Cardiovascular Medicine (P.R.T.), and Department of Radiology (J.L., A.C.R., A.H.), University of California, San Diego, 9300 Campus Point Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037-0841; and Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif (M.T.A., S.S.V.)
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Haarbye SO, Nielsen MB, Hansen AE, Lauridsen CA. Four-Dimensional Flow MRI of Abdominal Veins: A Systematic Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:767. [PMID: 33923366 PMCID: PMC8146887 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11050767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this systematic review is to provide an overview of the use of Four-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of vector blood flow (4D Flow MRI) in the abdominal veins. This study was composed according to the PRISMA guidelines 2009. The literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the QUADAS-2 tool. The initial search yielded 781 studies and 21 studies were included. All studies successfully applied 4D Flow MRI in abdominal veins. Four-Dimensional Flow MRI was capable of discerning between healthy subjects and patients with cirrhosis and/or portal hypertension. The visual quality and inter-observer agreement of 4D Flow MRI were rated as excellent and good to excellent, respectively, and the studies utilized several different MRI data sampling strategies. By applying spiral sampling with compressed sensing to 4D Flow MRI, the blood flow of several abdominal veins could be imaged simultaneously in 18-25 s, without a significant loss of visual quality. Four-Dimensional Flow MRI might be a useful alternative to Doppler sonography for the diagnosis of cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Further clinical studies need to establish consensus regarding MRI sampling strategies in patients and healthy subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon O. Haarbye
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.B.N.); (A.E.H.); (C.A.L.)
- Department of Technology, Faculty of Health and Technology, Metropolitan University College, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael B. Nielsen
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.B.N.); (A.E.H.); (C.A.L.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-1165 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Adam E. Hansen
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.B.N.); (A.E.H.); (C.A.L.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-1165 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carsten A. Lauridsen
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.B.N.); (A.E.H.); (C.A.L.)
- Department of Technology, Faculty of Health and Technology, Metropolitan University College, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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