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Kamp B, Radke KL, Knet M, Strunk R, Gallinnis PJ, Nagel AM, Filler TJ, Antoch G, Abrar DB, Frenken M, Wittsack HJ, Müller-Lutz A. Sodium MRI of the Lumbar Intervertebral Discs of the Human Spine: An Ex Vivo Study. J Magn Reson Imaging 2024. [PMID: 38963154 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.29521] [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: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lower back pain affects 75%-85% of people at some point in their lives. The detection of biochemical changes with sodium (23Na) MRI has potential to enable an earlier and more accurate diagnosis. PURPOSE To measure 23Na relaxation times and apparent tissue sodium concentration (aTSC) in ex-vivo intervertebral discs (IVDs), and to investigate the relationship between aTSC and histological Thompson grade. STUDY TYPE Ex-vivo. SPECIMEN Thirty IVDs from the lumbar spines of 11 human body donors (4 female, 7 male, mean age 86 ± 8 years). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE 3 T; density-adapted 3D radial sequence (DA-3D-RAD). ASSESSMENT IVD 23Na longitudinal (T1), short and long transverse (T2s* and T2l*) relaxation times and the proportion of the short transverse relaxation (ps) were calculated for one IVD per spine sample (11 IVDs). Furthermore, aTSCs were calculated for all IVDs. The degradation of the IVDs was assessed via histological Thompson grading. STATISTICAL TESTS A Kendall Tau correlation (τ) test was performed between the aTSCs and the Thompson grades. The significance level was set to P < 0.05. RESULTS Mean 23Na relaxation parameters of a subset of 11 IVDs were T1 = 9.8 ± 1.3 msec, T2s* = 0.7 ± 0.1 msec, T2l* = 7.3 ± 1.1 msec, and ps = 32.7 ± 4.0%. A total of 30 IVDs were examined, of which 3 had Thompson grade 1, 4 had grade 2, 5 had grade 3, 5 had grade 4, and 13 had grade 5. The aTSC decreased with increasing degradation, being 274.6 ± 18.9 mM for Thompson grade 1 and 190.5 ± 29.5 mM for Thompson grade 5. The correlation between whole IVD aTSC and Thompson grade was significant and strongly negative (τ = -0.56). DATA CONCLUSION This study showed a significant correlation between aTSC and degenerative IVD changes. Consequently, aTSC has potential to be useful as an indicator of degenerative spinal changes. EVIDENCE LEVEL 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Kamp
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Karl Ludger Radke
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marek Knet
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Rosanna Strunk
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Patrik J Gallinnis
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Armin M Nagel
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Timm J Filler
- Institute of Anatomy I, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Gerald Antoch
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Daniel B Abrar
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Miriam Frenken
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hans-Jörg Wittsack
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Anja Müller-Lutz
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Rasmussen CW, Bøgh N, Ringgaard S, Birn H, Vaeggemose M, Schulte RF, Laustsen C. Daytime Variation in Kidney Perfusion, Oxygenation, and Sodium Concentration Assessed by Multiparametric MRI in Healthy Volunteers. J Magn Reson Imaging 2024; 59:1603-1611. [PMID: 37656067 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.28983] [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: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MRI can provide information on kidney structure, perfusion, and oxygenation. Furthermore, it allows for the assessment of kidney sodium concentrations and handling, allowing multiparametric evaluation of kidney physiology. Multiparametric MRI is promising for establishing prognosis and monitoring treatment responses in kidney diseases, but its intraindividual variation during the day is unresolved. PURPOSE To investigate the variation in multiparametric MRI measurements from the morning to the evening. STUDY TYPE Prospective. POPULATION Ten healthy volunteers, aged 29 ± 5 without history of kidney disease. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE 3 T/T1 mapping, blood-oxygen level dependent imaging, arterial spin labeling perfusion imaging, diffusion weighted imaging, and sodium imaging. ASSESSMENT A multiparametric MRI protocol, yielding T1, R2*, ADC, renal blood flow and renal sodium levels, was acquired in the morning, noon, and evening. The participants were fasting prior to the first examination. Urine biochemical analyses were performed to complement MRI data. The cortex and medulla were analyzed separately in a semi-automatic fashion, and gradients of total sodium concentration (TSC) and R2* gradients were calculated from outer cortex to inner medulla. STATISTICAL TEST Analyses of variance and mixed-effects models to estimate differences from time of day. Coefficients of variation to assess variability within and between participants. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS The coefficients of variation varied from 5% to 18% for proton-based parametric sequences, while it was 38% for TSC over a day. DATA CONCLUSION Multiparametric MRI is stable over the day. The coefficients of variation over a day were lower for proton multiparametric MRI, but higher for sodium MRI. EVIDENCE LEVEL 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla W Rasmussen
- The MR Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Nikolaj Bøgh
- The MR Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Steffen Ringgaard
- The MR Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henrik Birn
- Department of Renal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Michael Vaeggemose
- The MR Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- GE HealthCare, Broendby, Denmark
| | | | - Christoffer Laustsen
- The MR Research Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Giovannetti G, Flori A, Martini N, Cademartiri F, Aquaro GD, Pingitore A, Frijia F. Hardware and Software Setup for Quantitative 23Na Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 3T: A Phantom Study. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:2716. [PMID: 38732822 PMCID: PMC11085578 DOI: 10.3390/s24092716] [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: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance (MR) with sodium (23Na) is a noninvasive tool providing quantitative biochemical information regarding physiology, cellular metabolism, and viability, with the potential to extend MR beyond anatomical proton imaging. However, when using clinical scanners, the low detectable 23Na signal and the low 23Na gyromagnetic ratio require the design of dedicated radiofrequency (RF) coils tuned to the 23Na Larmor frequency and sequences, as well as the development of dedicated phantoms for testing the image quality, and an MR scanner with multinuclear spectroscopy (MNS) capabilities. In this work, we propose a hardware and software setup for evaluating the potential of 23Na magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a clinical scanner. In particular, the reliability of the proposed setup and the reproducibility of the measurements were verified by multiple acquisitions from a 3T MR scanner using a homebuilt RF volume coil and a dedicated sequence for the imaging of a phantom specifically designed for evaluating the accuracy of the technique. The final goal of this study is to propose a setup for standardizing clinical and research 23Na MRI protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Giovannetti
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Council of Research, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.G.); (A.P.)
| | - Alessandra Flori
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.F.)
| | - Nicola Martini
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.F.)
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Donato Aquaro
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area Pathology, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Alessandro Pingitore
- Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Council of Research, Via G. Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.G.); (A.P.)
| | - Francesca Frijia
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.F.)
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Chen Q, Worthoff WA, Shah NJ. Accelerated multiple-quantum-filtered sodium magnetic resonance imaging using compressed sensing at 7 T. Magn Reson Imaging 2024; 107:138-148. [PMID: 38171423 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2023.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Multiple-quantum-filtered (MQF) sodium magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), such as enhanced single-quantum and triple-quantum-filtered imaging of 23Na (eSISTINA), enables images to be weighted towards restricted sodium, a promising biomarker in clinical practice, but often suffers from clinically infeasible acquisition times and low image quality. This study aims to mitigate the above limitation by implementing a novel eSISTINA sequence at 7 T with the application of compressed sensing (CS) to accelerate eSISTINA acquisitions without a noticeable loss of information. METHODS A novel eSISTINA sequence with a 3D spiral-based sampling scheme was implemented at 7 T for the application of CS. Fully sampled datasets were obtained from one phantom and ten healthy subjects, and were then retrospectively undersampled by various undersampling factors. CS undersampled reconstructions were compared to fully sampled and undersampled nonuniform fast Fourier transform (NUFFT) reconstructions. Reconstruction performance was evaluated based on structural similarity (SSIM), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), weightings towards total and compartmental sodium, and in vivo quantitative estimates. RESULTS CS-based phantom and in vivo images have less noise and better structural delineation while maintaining the weightings towards total, non-restricted (predominantly extracellular), and restricted (primarily intracellular) sodium. CS generally outperforms NUFFT with a higher SNR and a better SSIM, except for the SSIM in TQ brain images, which is likely due to substantial noise contamination. CS enables in vivo quantitative estimates with <15% errors at an undersampling factor of up to two. CONCLUSIONS Successful implementation of an eSISTINA sequence with an incoherent sampling scheme at 7 T was demonstrated. CS can accelerate eSISTINA by up to twofold at 7 T with reduced noise levels compared to NUFFT, while maintaining major structural information, reasonable weightings towards total and compartmental sodium, and relatively reliable in vivo quantification. The associated reduction in acquisition time has the potential to facilitate the clinical applicability of MQF sodium MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingping Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine - 4, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Wieland A Worthoff
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine - 4, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany.
| | - N Jon Shah
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine - 4, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine - 11, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany; JARA-BRAIN-Translational Medicine, Aachen, Germany; Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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5
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Ebersberger L, Kratzer FJ, Franke VL, Nagel AM, Niesporek SC, Korzowski A, Ladd ME, Schlemmer HP, Paech D, Platt T. First implementation of dynamic oxygen-17 ( 17O) magnetic resonance imaging at 7 Tesla during neuronal stimulation in the human brain. MAGMA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 37:27-38. [PMID: 37737942 PMCID: PMC10876824 DOI: 10.1007/s10334-023-01119-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE First implementation of dynamic oxygen-17 (17O) MRI at 7 Tesla (T) during neuronal stimulation in the human brain. METHODS Five healthy volunteers underwent a three-phase 17O gas (17O2) inhalation experiment. Combined right-side visual stimulus and right-hand finger tapping were used to achieve neuronal stimulation in the left cerebral hemisphere. Data analysis included the evaluation of the relative partial volume (PV)-corrected time evolution of absolute 17O water (H217O) concentration and of the relative signal evolution without PV correction. Statistical analysis was performed using a one-tailed paired t test. Blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) experiments were performed to validate the stimulation paradigm. RESULTS The BOLD maps showed significant activity in the stimulated left visual and sensorimotor cortex compared to the non-stimulated right side. PV correction of 17O MR data resulted in high signal fluctuations with a noise level of 10% due to small regions of interest (ROI), impeding further quantitative analysis. Statistical evaluation of the relative H217O signal with PV correction (p = 0.168) and without (p = 0.382) did not show significant difference between the stimulated left and non-stimulated right sensorimotor ROI. DISCUSSION The change of cerebral oxygen metabolism induced by sensorimotor and visual stimulation is not large enough to be reliably detected with the current setup and methodology of dynamic 17O MRI at 7 T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Ebersberger
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Division of Radiology, Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Fabian J Kratzer
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Vanessa L Franke
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Armin M Nagel
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Radiology, Friedrich-Alexander University Hospital Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sebastian C Niesporek
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Korzowski
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mark E Ladd
- Faculty of Medicine, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Heinz-Peter Schlemmer
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Division of Radiology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Paech
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Division of Radiology, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Tanja Platt
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg, Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Gast LV, Platt T, Nagel AM, Gerhalter T. Recent technical developments and clinical research applications of sodium ( 23Na) MRI. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY 2023; 138-139:1-51. [PMID: 38065665 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnmrs.2023.04.002] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Sodium is an essential ion that plays a central role in many physiological processes including the transmembrane electrochemical gradient and the maintenance of the body's homeostasis. Due to the crucial role of sodium in the human body, the sodium nucleus is a promising candidate for non-invasively assessing (patho-)physiological changes. Almost 10 years ago, Madelin et al. provided a comprehensive review of methods and applications of sodium (23Na) MRI (Madelin et al., 2014) [1]. More recent review articles have focused mainly on specific applications of 23Na MRI. For example, several articles covered 23Na MRI applications for diseases such as osteoarthritis (Zbyn et al., 2016, Zaric et al., 2020) [2,3], multiple sclerosis (Petracca et al., 2016, Huhn et al., 2019) [4,5] and brain tumors (Schepkin, 2016) [6], or for imaging certain organs such as the kidneys (Zollner et al., 2016) [7], the brain (Shah et al., 2016, Thulborn et al., 2018) [8,9], and the heart (Bottomley, 2016) [10]. Other articles have reviewed technical developments such as radiofrequency (RF) coils for 23Na MRI (Wiggins et al., 2016, Bangerter et al., 2016) [11,12], pulse sequences (Konstandin et al., 2014) [13], image reconstruction methods (Chen et al., 2021) [14], and interleaved/simultaneous imaging techniques (Lopez Kolkovsky et al., 2022) [15]. In addition, 23Na MRI topics have been covered in review articles with broader topics such as multinuclear MRI or ultra-high-field MRI (Niesporek et al., 2019, Hu et al., 2019, Ladd et al., 2018) [16-18]. During the past decade, various research groups have continued working on technical improvements to sodium MRI and have investigated its potential to serve as a diagnostic and prognostic tool. Clinical research applications of 23Na MRI have covered a broad spectrum of diseases, mainly focusing on the brain, cartilage, and skeletal muscle (see Fig. 1). In this article, we aim to provide a comprehensive summary of methodological and hardware developments, as well as a review of various clinical research applications of sodium (23Na) MRI in the last decade (i.e., published from the beginning of 2013 to the end of 2022).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena V Gast
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Tanja Platt
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Armin M Nagel
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany; Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Teresa Gerhalter
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
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Wilferth T, Mennecke A, Huhn K, Uder M, Doerfler A, Schmidt M, Nagel AM. Influence of Residual Quadrupolar Interaction on Quantitative Sodium Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis. Invest Radiol 2023; 58:730-739. [PMID: 37185832 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this work was to evaluate the influence of residual quadrupolar interaction on the determination of human brain apparent tissue sodium concentrations (aTSCs) using quantitative sodium magnetic resonance imaging ( 23 Na MRI) in healthy controls (HCs) and patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Especially, it was investigated if the more detailed examination of residual quadrupolar interaction effects enables further analysis of the observed 23 Na MRI signal increase in MS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS 23 Na MRI with a 7 T MR system was performed on 21 HC and 50 MS patients covering all MS subtypes (25 patients with relapsing-remitting MS, 14 patients with secondary progressive MS, and 11 patients with primary progressive MS) using 2 different 23 Na pulse sequences for quantification: a commonly used standard sequence (aTSC Std ) as well as a sequence with shorter excitation pulse length and lower flip angle for minimizing signal loss resulting from residual quadrupolar interactions (aTSC SP ). Apparent tissue sodium concentration was determined using the same postprocessing pipeline including correction of the receive profile of the radiofrequency coil, partial volume correction, and relaxation correction. Spin dynamic simulations of spin-3/2 nuclei were performed to aid in the understanding of the measurement results and to get deeper insight in the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS In normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) of HC and all MS subtypes, the aTSC SP values were approximately 20% higher than the aTSC Std values ( P < 0.001). In addition, the ratio aTSC SP /aTSC Std was significantly higher in NAWM than in normal-appearing gray matter (NAGM) for all subject cohorts ( P < 0.002). In NAWM, aTSC Std values were significantly higher in primary progressive MS compared with HC ( P = 0.01) as well as relapsing-remitting MS ( P = 0.03). However, in contrast, no significant differences between the subject cohorts were found for aTSC SP . Spin simulations assuming the occurrence of residual quadrupolar interaction in NAWM were in good accordance with the measurement results, in particular, the ratio aTSC SP /aTSC Std in NAWM and NAGM. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that residual quadrupolar interactions in white matter regions of the human brain have an influence on aTSC quantification and therefore must be considered, especially in pathologies with expected microstructural changes such as loss of myelin in MS. Furthermore, the more detailed examination of residual quadrupolar interactions may lead to a better understanding of the pathologies themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Konstantin Huhn
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen
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Huang Y, Dong Y, Li P, Zhou C, Li WX, Li ZJ, Liu Y, Bao YH, Liao DF. Quantitative analysis of a posterior fossa teratomas with unusual CT and MR Characteristics--illustrative case. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18471. [PMID: 37560666 PMCID: PMC10407040 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intracranial teratomas or other cystic lesions with atypical imaging manifestations can still be frequently seen clinically. The specific reasons for unusual imaging manifestations need to be further explored. OBSERVATIONS A case of adult teratoma in the posterior fossa with unusual imaging manifestations was reported. The chemical composition of its cystic fluid was quantitatively detected, and in vitro imaging simulation experiments were performed on some fluid substances with similar cystic fluid properties to explore the reasons for special imaging manifestations. The content of inorganic substances and protein in the cystic fluid were both low, with no melanin detected. In vitro experiments revealed that MR T1 signals could increase with protein content rising and changes in MR T2 signals presented no obvious correlation with it. CT values increased gradually with protein concentration rising. The substances with similar viscosity had similar CT values, whereas substance viscosity showed no significant correlation with changes in MR signals. CONCLUSION The abnormality of imaging manifestations cannot be confirmed as the result of "high protein content", nor can it be simply attributed to bleeding. Further research is required for the impact of the combination of paramagnetic particles and biofluid on imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Samii Medical Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Bulk Herbs of Hunan Province, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
- China International Neuroscience Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Dong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Samii Medical Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Samii Medical Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Chuan Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Samii Medical Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei-Xin Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Samii Medical Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zai-Jun Li
- Medical Imaging Department, Shenzhen Samii Medical Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Samii Medical Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu-Hai Bao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shenzhen Samii Medical Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- China International Neuroscience Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Duan-Fang Liao
- Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Bulk Herbs of Hunan Province, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
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Ebersberger L, Kratzer FJ, Potreck A, Niesporek SC, Keymling M, Nagel AM, Bendszus M, Wick W, Ladd ME, Schlemmer HP, Hoffmann A, Platt T, Paech D. First application of dynamic oxygen-17 magnetic resonance imaging at 7 Tesla in a patient with early subacute stroke. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1186558. [PMID: 37404469 PMCID: PMC10317041 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1186558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Dynamic oxygen-17 (17O) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging method that enables a direct and non-invasive assessment of cerebral oxygen metabolism and thus potentially the distinction between viable and non-viable tissue employing a three-phase inhalation experiment. The purpose of this investigation was the first application of dynamic 17O MRI at 7 Tesla (T) in a patient with stroke. In this proof-of-concept experiment, dynamic 17O MRI was applied during 17O inhalation in a patient with early subacute stroke. The analysis of the relative 17O water (H217O) signal for the affected stroke region compared to the healthy contralateral side revealed no significant difference. However, the technical feasibility of 17O MRI has been demonstrated paving the way for future investigations in neurovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Ebersberger
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Fabian J. Kratzer
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Arne Potreck
- Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian C. Niesporek
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Myriam Keymling
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Armin M. Nagel
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Radiology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen University Hospital, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Martin Bendszus
- Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wick
- Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mark E. Ladd
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Angelika Hoffmann
- Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neuroradiology, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tanja Platt
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Paech
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Neuroradiology, Bonn University Hospital, Bonn, Germany
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10
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Gast LV, Baier LM, Meixner CR, Chaudry O, Engelke K, Uder M, Nagel AM, Heiss R. MRI of Potassium and Sodium Enables Comprehensive Analysis of Ion Perturbations in Skeletal Muscle Tissue After Eccentric Exercise. Invest Radiol 2023; 58:265-272. [PMID: 36374200 PMCID: PMC9997635 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aims were to investigate if potassium ( 39 K) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to analyze changes in the apparent tissue potassium concentration (aTPC) in calf muscle tissue after eccentric exercise and in delayed-onset muscle soreness, and to compare these to corresponding changes in the apparent tissue sodium concentration (aTSC) measured with sodium ( 23 Na) MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fourteen healthy subjects (7 female, 7 male; 25.0 ± 2.8 years) underwent 39 K and 23 Na MRI at a 7 T MR system, as well as 1 H MRI at a 3 T MR system. Magnetic resonance imaging data and blood samples were collected at baseline (t0), directly after performing eccentric exercise (t1) and 48 hours after exercise (t2). Self-reported muscle soreness was evaluated using a 10-cm visual analog scale for pain (0, no pain; 10, worst pain) at t0, t1, and t2. Quantification of aTPC/aTSC was performed after correcting the measured 39 K/ 23 Na signal intensities for partial volume and relaxation effects using 5 external reference phantoms. Edema volume and 1 H T 2 relaxation times were determined based on the 1 H MRI data. Participants were divided according to their increase in creatine kinase (CK) level into high (CK t2 ≥ 10·CK t0 ) and low CK (CK t2 < 10·CK t0 ) subjects. RESULTS Blood serum CK and edema volume were significantly increased 48 hours after exercise compared with baseline ( P < 0.001). Six participants showed a high increase in blood serum CK level at t2 relative to baseline, whereas 8 participants had only a low to moderate increase in blood serum CK. All participants reported increased muscle soreness both at rest and when climbing stairs at t1 (0.4 ± 0.7; 1.4 ± 1.2) and t2 (1.6 ± 1.4; 4.8 ± 1.9) compared with baseline (0 ± 0; 0 ± 0). Moreover, aTSC was increased at t1 in exercised muscles of all participants (increase by 57% ± 24% in high CK, 73% ± 33% in low CK subjects). Forty-eight hours after training, subjects with high increase in blood serum CK still showed highly increased aTSC (increase by 79% ± 57% compared with t0). In contrast, aTPC at t2 was elevated in exercised muscles of low CK subjects (increase by 19% ± 11% compared with t0), in which aTSC had returned to baseline or below. Overall, aTSC and aTPC showed inverse evolution, with changes in aTSC being approximately twice as high as in aTPC. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that 39 K MRI is able to detect changes in muscular potassium concentrations caused by eccentric exercise. In combination with 23 Na MRI, this enables a more holistic analysis of tissue ion concentration changes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Oliver Chaudry
- Department of Medicine 3, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
| | - Klaus Engelke
- Department of Medicine 3, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
- Institute of Medical Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen
| | | | - Armin M. Nagel
- From the Institute of Radiology
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
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11
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Variability by region and method in human brain sodium concentrations estimated by 23Na magnetic resonance imaging: a meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3222. [PMID: 36828873 PMCID: PMC9957999 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30363-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Sodium imaging (23Na-MRI) is of interest in neurological conditions given potential sensitivity to the physiological and metabolic status of tissues. Benchmarks have so far been restricted to parenchyma or grey/white matter (GM/WM). We investigate (1) the availability of evidence, (2) regional pooled estimates and (3) variability attributable to region/methodology. MEDLINE literature search for tissue sodium concentration (TSC) measured in specified 'healthy' brain regions returned 127 reports, plus 278 retrieved from bibliographies. 28 studies met inclusion criteria, including 400 individuals. Reporting variability led to nested data structure, so we used multilevel meta-analysis and a random effects model to pool effect sizes. The pooled mean from 141 TSC estimates was 40.51 mM (95% CI 37.59-43.44; p < 0.001, I2Total=99.4%). Tissue as a moderator was significant (F214 = 65.34, p-val < .01). Six sub-regional pooled means with requisite statistical power were derived. We were unable to consider most methodological and demographic factors sought because of non-reporting, but each factor included beyond tissue improved model fit. Significant residual heterogeneity remained. The current estimates provide an empirical point of departure for better understanding in 23Na-MRI. Improving on current estimates supports: (1) larger, more representative data collection/sharing, including (2) regional data, and (3) agreement on full reporting standards.
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12
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Vaeggemose M, Schulte RF, Laustsen C. Clinically feasible B 1 field correction for multi-organ sodium imaging at 3 T. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 36:e4835. [PMID: 36115017 PMCID: PMC10078323 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Sodium MRI allows the non-invasive quantification of intra-organ sodium concentration. RF inhomogeneity introduces uncertainty in this estimated concentration. B1 field corrections can be used to overcome some of these limitations. However, the low signal-to-noise ratio in sodium MRI makes accurate B1 mapping in reasonable scan times challenging. The study aims to evaluate Bloch-Siegert off-resonance (BLOSI) B1 field correction for sodium MRI using a 3D Fermat looped, orthogonally encoded trajectories (FLORET) read-out trajectory. We propose a clinically feasible B1 field map correction method for sodium imaging at 3 T, evaluating five healthy subjects' brain, heart blood, kidneys, and thigh muscle. We scanned the subjects twice for repeatability measures and used sodium phantoms to determine organ total sodium concentration. Conventional proton scans were compared with sodium images for organ structural integrity. The BLOSI approach based on the 3D FLORET read-out trajectory was used in B1 field correction and 3D density-adapted radial acquisition for sodium imaging. Results indicate improvements in sodium imaging based on B1 field correction in a clinically feasible protocol. Improvements are determined in all organs by enhanced anatomical representation, organ homogeneity, and an increase in the total sodium concentration after applying a B1 field correction. The proposed BLOSI-based B1 field correction using a 3D FLORET read-out trajectory is clinically feasible for sodium imaging, which is shown in the brain, heart, kidney, and thigh muscle. This supports using fast B1 field mapping in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Vaeggemose
- GE HealthcareBrondbyDenmark
- MR Research Centre, Department of Clinical MedicineAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | | | - Christoffer Laustsen
- MR Research Centre, Department of Clinical MedicineAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
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13
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Gast LV, Baier LM, Chaudry O, Meixner CR, Müller M, Engelke K, Uder M, Heiss R, Nagel AM. Assessing muscle-specific potassium concentrations in human lower leg using potassium magnetic resonance imaging. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2023; 36:e4819. [PMID: 35994248 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Noninvasively assessing tissue potassium concentrations (TPCs) using potassium magnetic resonance imaging (39 K MRI) could give valuable information on physiological processes connected to various pathologies. However, because of inherently low 39 K MR image resolution and strong signal blurring, a reliable measurement of the TPC is challenging. The aim of this work was to investigate the feasibility of a muscle-specific TPC determination with a focus on the influence of a varying residual quadrupolar interaction in human lower leg muscles. The quantification accuracy of a muscle-specific TPC determination was first assessed using simulated 39 K MRI data. In vivo 39 K and corresponding sodium (23 Na) MRI data of healthy lower leg muscles (n = 14, seven females) were acquired on a 7-T MR system using a double-resonant 23 Na/39 K birdcage Tx/Rx RF coil. Additional 1 H MR images were acquired on a 3-T MR system and used for tissue segmentation. Quantification of TPC was performed after a region-based partial volume correction (PVC) using five external reference phantoms. Simulations not only underlined the importance of PVC for correctly assessing muscle-specific TPC values, but also revealed the strong impact of a varying residual quadrupolar interaction between different muscle regions on the measured TPC. Using 39 K T2 * decay curves, we found significantly higher residual quadrupolar interaction in tibialis anterior muscle (TA; ωq = 194 ± 28 Hz) compared with gastrocnemius muscle (medial/lateral head, GM/GL; ωq = 151 ± 25 Hz) and soleus muscle (SOL; ωq = 102 ± 32 Hz). If considered in the PVC, TPC in individual muscles was similar (TPC = 98 ± 11/96 ± 14/99 ± 8/100 ± 12 mM in GM/GL/SOL/TA). Comparison with tissue sodium concentrations suggested that residual quadrupolar interactions might also influence the 23 Na MRI signal of lower leg muscles. A TPC determination of individual lower leg muscles is feasible and can therefore be applied in future studies. Considering a varying residual quadrupolar interaction for PVC of 39 K MRI data is essential to reliably assess potassium concentrations in individual muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena V Gast
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Laura-Marie Baier
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Oliver Chaudry
- Department of Medicine 3, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian R Meixner
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Max Müller
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Klaus Engelke
- Department of Medicine 3, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Medical Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Uder
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Rafael Heiss
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Armin M Nagel
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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14
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Adlung A, Licht C, Reichert S, Özdemir S, Mohamed SA, Samartzi M, Fatar M, Gass A, Prost EN, Schad LR. Quantification of tissue sodium concentration in the ischemic stroke: A comparison between external and internal references for 23Na MRI. J Neurosci Methods 2022; 382:109721. [PMID: 36202191 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2022.109721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anne Adlung
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany.
| | - Christian Licht
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Simon Reichert
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Safa Özdemir
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Sherif A Mohamed
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany; Clinic for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Melina Samartzi
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim and Mannheim Center of Translational Neurosciences (MCTN), Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Marc Fatar
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim and Mannheim Center of Translational Neurosciences (MCTN), Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Achim Gass
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim and Mannheim Center of Translational Neurosciences (MCTN), Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Eva Neumaier Prost
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
| | - Lothar R Schad
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany
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15
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Wilferth T, Mennecke A, Gast LV, Lachner S, Müller M, Rothhammer V, Huhn K, Uder M, Doerfler A, Nagel AM, Schmidt M. Quantitative 7T sodium magnetic resonance imaging of the human brain using a 32-channel phased-array head coil: Application to patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2022; 35:e4806. [PMID: 35892310 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Apparent tissue sodium concentrations (aTSCs) determined by 23 Na brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have the potential to serve as a biomarker in pathologies such as multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the quantification is hindered by the intrinsically low signal-to-noise ratio of 23 Na MRI. The purpose of this study was to improve the accuracy and reliability of quantitative 23 Na brain MRI by implementing a dedicated postprocessing pipeline and to evaluate the applicability of the developed approach for the examination of MS patients. 23 Na brain MRI measurements of 13 healthy volunteers and 17 patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) were performed at 7 T using a dual-tuned 23 Na/1 H birdcage coil with a receive-only 32-channel phased array. The aTSC values were determined for normal appearing white matter (NAWM) and normal appearing gray matter (NAGM) in healthy subjects and SPMS patients. Signal intensities were normalized using the mean cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sodium concentration determined in 37 separate patients receiving a spinal tap for routine diagnostic purposes. Five volunteers underwent MRI examinations three times in a row to assess repeatability. Coefficients of variation (CoVs) were used to quantify the repeatability of the proposed method. aTSC values were compared regarding brain regions and subject cohort using the paired-samples Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Laboratory CSF sodium concentration did not differ significantly between patients without and with MS (p = 0.42). The proposed quantification workflow for 23 Na MRI was highly repeatable with CoVs averaged over all five volunteers of 1.9% ± 0.9% for NAWM and 2.2% ± 1.6% for NAGM. Average NAWM aTSC was significantly higher in patients with SPMS compared with the control group (p = 0.009). Average NAGM aTSC did not differ significantly between healthy volunteers and MS patients (p = 0.98). The proposed postprocessing pipeline shows high repeatability and the results can serve as a baseline for further studies establishing 23 Na brain MRI as a biomarker in diseases such as MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Wilferth
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Angelika Mennecke
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lena V Gast
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Lachner
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Max Müller
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Veit Rothhammer
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Konstantin Huhn
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Uder
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arnd Doerfler
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Armin M Nagel
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Manuel Schmidt
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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16
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Zaric O, Beiglböck H, Janacova V, Szomolanyi P, Wolf P, Krebs M, Trattnig S, Krššák M, Juras V. Repeatability assessment of sodium ( 23Na) MRI at 7.0 T in healthy human calf muscle and preliminary results on tissue sodium concentrations in subjects with Addison's disease. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2022; 23:925. [PMID: 36266679 PMCID: PMC9585786 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-022-05879-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the relaxation times of the sodium nucleus, and to investigate the repeatability of quantitative, in vivo TSC measurements using sodium magnetic resonance imaging (23Na-MRI) in human skeletal muscle and explore the discriminatory value of the method by comparing TSCs between healthy subjects and patients with Addison's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this prospective study, ten healthy subjects and five patients with Addison's disease were involved. 23Na-MRI data sets were acquired using a density-adapted, three-dimensional radial projection reconstruction pulse sequence (DA-3DPR) with a modification for the relaxation times measurements. Differences in TSC between muscle groups and between healthy participants were analysed using a nonparametric Friedman ANOVA test. An interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used as the repeatability index. Wilcoxon rank sum test was used for evaluation of differences in TSC between study participants. RESULTS The mean T1 in the gastrocnemius medialis (GM), the tibialis anterior (TA), and the soleus (S) was 25.9 ± 2.0 ms, 27.6 ± 2.0 ms, and 28.2 ± 2.0 ms, respectively. The mean short component of T2*, T2*short were GM: 3.6 ± 2.0 ms; TA: 3.2 ± 0.5 ms; and S: 3.0 ± 1.0 ms, and the mean long component of T2*, T2*long, were GM: 12.9 ± 0.9 ms; TA: 12.8 ± 0.7 ms; and S: 12.9 ± 2.0 ms, respectively. In healthy volunteers, TSC values in the GM were 19.9 ±0.1 mmol/L, 13.8 ±0.2 mmol/L in TA, and 12.6 ± 0.2 mmol/L in S, and were significantly different (p = 0.0005). The ICCs for GM, TA and S were 0.784, 0.818, 0.807, respectively. In patients with Addison's disease, TSC in GC, TA, and S were 10.2 ± 1.0 mmol/L, 8.4 ± 0.6 mmol/L, and 7.2 ± 0.1 mmol/L, respectively. CONCLUSIONS TSC quantification in a healthy subject's calf at 7.0 T is reliable; the technique is able to distinguish sodium level differences between muscles and between healthy subjects and Addison's disease patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olgica Zaric
- High-Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Research Center for Medical Image Analysis and Artificial Intelligence (MIAAI), Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Danube Private University GmbH (DPU), Krems an der Donau, Austria
| | - Hannes Beiglböck
- Department of Medicine III (Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Janacova
- High-Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Pavol Szomolanyi
- High-Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Imaging Methods, Institute of Measurement Science, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Wolf
- Department of Medicine III (Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Krebs
- Department of Medicine III (Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Siegfried Trattnig
- High-Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Clinical Molecular MRI, Christian Doppler Forschungsgesellschaft, Vienna, Austria.
- Institute for Clinical Molecular MRI in Musculoskeletal System, Karl Landsteiner Society, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Martin Krššák
- High-Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Medicine III (Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vladimir Juras
- High-Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria
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17
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Evaluation of Sodium Relaxation Times and Concentrations in the Achilles Tendon Using MRI. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810890. [PMID: 36142810 PMCID: PMC9501448 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Sodium magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to evaluate the change in the proteoglycan content in Achilles tendons (ATs) of patients with different AT pathologies by measuring the 23Na signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). As 23Na SNR alone is difficult to compare between different studies, because of the high influence of hardware configurations and sequence settings on the SNR, we further set out to measure the apparent tissue sodium content (aTSC) in the AT as a better comparable parameter. Ten healthy controls and one patient with tendinopathy in the AT were examined using a clinical 3 Tesla (T) MRI scanner in conjunction with a dual tuned 1H/23Na surface coil to measure 23Na SNR and aTSC in their ATs. 23Na T1 and T2* of the AT were also measured for three controls to correct for different relaxation behavior. The results were as follows: 23Na SNR = 11.7 ± 2.2, aTSC = 82.2 ± 13.9 mM, 23Na T1 = 20.4 ± 2.4 ms, 23Na T2s* = 1.4 ± 0.4 ms, and 23Na T2l* = 13.9 ± 0.8 ms for the whole AT of healthy controls with significant regional differences. These are the first reported aTSCs and 23Na relaxation times for the AT using sodium MRI and may serve for future comparability in different studies regarding examinations of diseased ATs with sodium MRI.
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18
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Çavuşoğlu M, Pazahr S, Ciritsis AP, Rossi C. Quantitative 23 Na-MRI of the intervertebral disk at 3 T. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2022; 35:e4733. [PMID: 35307881 PMCID: PMC9540256 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring the tissue sodium content (TSC) in the intervertebral disk geometry noninvasively by MRI is a sensitive measure to estimate changes in the proteoglycan content of the intervertebral disk, which is a biomarker of degenerative disk disease (DDD) and of lumbar back pain (LBP). However, application of quantitative sodium concentration measurements in 23 Na-MRI is highly challenging due to the lower in vivo concentrations and smaller gyromagnetic ratio, ultimately yielding much smaller signal relative to 1 H-MRI. Moreover, imaging the intervertebral disk geometry imposes higher demands, mainly because the necessary RF volume coils produce highly inhomogeneous transmit field patterns. For an accurate absolute quantification of TSC in the intervertebral disks, the B1 field variations have to be mitigated. In this study, we report for the first time quantitative sodium concentration in the intervertebral disks at clinical field strengths (3 T) by deploying 23 Na-MRI in healthy human subjects. The sodium B1 maps were calculated by using the double-angle method and a double-tuned (1 H/23 Na) transceive chest coil, and the individual effects of the variation in the B1 field patterns in tissue sodium quantification were calculated. Phantom measurements were conducted to evaluate the quality of the Na-weighted images and B1 mapping. Depending on the disk position, the sodium concentration was calculated as 161.6 mmol/L-347 mmol/L, and the mean sodium concentration of the intervertebral disks varies between 254.6 ± 54 mmol/L and 290.1 ± 39 mmol/L. A smoothing effect of the B1 correction on the sodium concentration maps was observed, such that the standard deviation of the mean sodium concentration was significantly reduced with B1 mitigation. The results of this work provide an improved integration of quantitative 23 Na-MRI into clinical studies in intervertebral disks such as degenerative disk disease and establish alternative scoring schemes to existing morphological scoring such as the Pfirrmann score.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Çavuşoğlu
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital ZurichUniversity of ZurichSwitzerland
| | | | - Alexander P. Ciritsis
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital ZurichUniversity of ZurichSwitzerland
| | - Cristina Rossi
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital ZurichUniversity of ZurichSwitzerland
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19
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Wilferth T, Müller M, Gast LV, Ruck L, Meyerspeer M, Lopez Kolkovsky AL, Uder M, Dörfler A, Nagel AM. Motion‐corrected
23
Na MRI
of the human brain using interleaved
1
H 3D
navigator images. Magn Reson Med 2022; 88:309-321. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Wilferth
- Institute of Radiology University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU) Erlangen Germany
| | - Max Müller
- Institute of Radiology University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU) Erlangen Germany
| | - Lena V. Gast
- Institute of Radiology University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU) Erlangen Germany
| | - Laurent Ruck
- Institute of Radiology University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU) Erlangen Germany
| | - Martin Meyerspeer
- High‐Field MR Center, Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Alfredo L. Lopez Kolkovsky
- NMR Laboratory, Neuromuscular Investigation Center Institute of Myology Paris France
- NMR Laboratory CEA/DRF/IBFJ/Molecular Imaging Research Center Paris France
| | - Michael Uder
- Institute of Radiology University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU) Erlangen Germany
| | - Arnd Dörfler
- Department of Neuroradiology University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU) Erlangen Germany
| | - Armin M. Nagel
- Institute of Radiology University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU) Erlangen Germany
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg Germany
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20
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Polak P, Schulte RF, Noseworthy MD. An approach to evaluation of the point-spread function for 23 Na magnetic resonance imaging. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2022; 35:e4627. [PMID: 34652040 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4627] [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: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Despite the technical challenges that require lengthy acquisitions to overcome poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), sodium (23 Na) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an intriguing area of research due to its essential role in human metabolism. Low SNR images can impact the measurement of the point-spread function (PSF) by adding uncertainty into the resulting quantities. Here, we present methods to calculate the PSF by using the modulation transfer function (MTF), and a 3D-printed line-pair phantom in the context of 23 Na MRI. A simulation study investigated the effect of noise on the resulting MTF curves, which were derived by direct modulation (DM) and a method utilizing Fourier harmonics (FHs). Experimental data utilized a line-pair phantom with nine spatial frequencies, filled with different concentrations (15, 30, and 60 mM) of sodium in 3% agar. MTF curves were calculated using both methods from data acquired from density-adapted 3D radial projections (DA-3DRP) and Fermat looped orthogonally encoded trajectories (FLORET). Simulations indicated that the DM method increased variability in the MTF curves at all tested noise levels over the FH method. For the experimental data, the FH method resulted in PSFs with a narrower full width half maximum with reduced variability, although the improvement in variability was not as pronounced as predicted by simulations. The DA-3DRP data indicated an improvement in the PSF over FLORET. It was concluded that a 3D-printed line-pair phantom represents a convenient method to measure the PSF experimentally. The MTFs from the noisy images in 23 Na MRI have reduced variability from a FH method over DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Polak
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Imaging Research Centre, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Michael D Noseworthy
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Imaging Research Centre, St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Radiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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21
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Mohamed SA, Herrmann K, Adlung A, Paschke N, Hausner L, FrÖlich L, Schad L, Groden C, Kerl HU. Evaluation of Sodium ( 23Na) MR-imaging as a Biomarker and Predictor for Neurodegenerative Changes in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease. In Vivo 2021; 35:429-435. [PMID: 33402493 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.12275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Sodium (23Na) MR imaging is a noninvasive MRI technique that has been shown to be sensitive to visualize biochemical information about tissue viability, their cell integrity, and cell function in various studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in regional brain 23Na signal intensity between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and healthy controls to preliminarily evaluate the capability of 23Na imaging as a biomarker for AD. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 14 patients diagnosed with AD were included: 12 in the state of dementia and 2 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 12 healthy controls (HC); they were all scanned on a 3T clinical scanner with a double tuned 1H/23Na birdcage head coil. After normalizing the signal intensity with that of the vitreous humor, relative tissue sodium concentration (rTSC) was measured after automated segmentation in the hippocampus, amygdala, basal ganglia, white matter (WM) and grey matter (GM) in both cerebral hemispheres. RESULTS Patients with AD showed a significant increase in rTSC in comparison to healthy controls in the following brain regions: WM 13.6%; p=0.007, hippocampus 12.9%; p=0.003, amygdala 18.9%; p=0.0007. CONCLUSION 23Na-MRI has the potential to be developed as a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherif A Mohamed
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany;
| | - Katrin Herrmann
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Anne Adlung
- Department of Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nadia Paschke
- Department of Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lucrezia Hausner
- Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.,Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lutz FrÖlich
- Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lothar Schad
- Department of Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Christoph Groden
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Hans Ulrich Kerl
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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22
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Chappell MA, McConnell FAK, Golay X, Günther M, Hernandez-Tamames JA, van Osch MJ, Asllani I. Partial volume correction in arterial spin labeling perfusion MRI: A method to disentangle anatomy from physiology or an analysis step too far? Neuroimage 2021; 238:118236. [PMID: 34091034 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The mismatch in the spatial resolution of Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) MRI perfusion images and the anatomy of functionally distinct tissues in the brain leads to a partial volume effect (PVE), which in turn confounds the estimation of perfusion into a specific tissue of interest such as gray or white matter. This confound occurs because the image voxels contain a mixture of tissues with disparate perfusion properties, leading to estimated perfusion values that reflect primarily the volume proportions of tissues in the voxel rather than the perfusion of any particular tissue of interest within that volume. It is already recognized that PVE influences studies of brain perfusion, and that its effect might be even more evident in studies where changes in perfusion are co-incident with alterations in brain structure, such as studies involving a comparison between an atrophic patient population vs control subjects, or studies comparing subjects over a wide range of ages. However, the application of PVE correction (PVEc) is currently limited and the employed methodologies remain inconsistent. In this article, we outline the influence of PVE in ASL measurements of perfusion, explain the main principles of PVEc, and provide a critique of the current state of the art for the use of such methods. Furthermore, we examine the current use of PVEc in perfusion studies and whether there is evidence to support its wider adoption. We conclude that there is sound theoretical motivation for the use of PVEc alongside conventional, 'uncorrected', images, and encourage such combined reporting. Methods for PVEc are now available within standard neuroimaging toolboxes, which makes our recommendation straightforward to implement. However, there is still more work to be done to establish the value of PVEc as well as the efficacy and robustness of existing PVEc methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Chappell
- Radiological Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK; Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Center, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK; Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, UK.
| | - Flora A Kennedy McConnell
- Radiological Sciences, Mental Health and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK; Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Center, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK; Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Xavier Golay
- Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Matthias Günther
- Fraunhofer MEVIS, Bremen, Germany; University Bremen, Bremen, Germany; mediri GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Matthias J van Osch
- C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRI, Radiology Department, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Iris Asllani
- Clinical Imaging Sciences Centre, Department of Neuroscience, University of Sussex, UK; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, United States
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23
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Kratzer FJ, Flassbeck S, Schmitter S, Wilferth T, Magill AW, Knowles BR, Platt T, Bachert P, Ladd ME, Nagel AM. 3D sodium ( 23 Na) magnetic resonance fingerprinting for time-efficient relaxometric mapping. Magn Reson Med 2021; 86:2412-2425. [PMID: 34061397 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop a framework for 3D sodium (23 Na) MR fingerprinting (MRF), based on irreducible spherical tensor operators with tailored flip angle (FA) pattern and time-efficient data acquisition for simultaneous quantification of T1 , T 2 l ∗ , T 2 s ∗ , and T 2 ∗ in addition to ΔB0 . METHODS 23 Na-MRF was implemented in a 3D sequence and irreducible spherical tensor operators were exploited in the simulations. Furthermore, the Cramér Rao lower bound was used to optimize the flip angle pattern. A combination of single and double echo readouts was implemented to increase the readout efficiency. A study was conducted to compare results in a multicompartment phantom acquired with MRF and reference methods. Finally, the relaxation times in the human brain were measured in four healthy volunteers. RESULTS Phantom experiments revealed a mean difference of 1.0% between relaxation times acquired with MRF and results determined with the reference methods. Simultaneous quantification of the longitudinal and transverse relaxation times in the human brain was possible within 32 min using 3D 23 Na-MRF with a nominal resolution of (5 mm)3 . In vivo measurements in four volunteers yielded average relaxation times of: T1,brain = (35.0 ± 3.2) ms, T 2 l , brain ∗ = (29.3 ± 3.8) ms and T 2 s , brain ∗ = (5.5 ± 1.3) ms in brain tissue, whereas T1,CSF = (61.9 ± 2.8) ms and T 2 , CSF ∗ = (46.3 ± 4.5) ms was found in cerebrospinal fluid. CONCLUSION The feasibility of in vivo 3D relaxometric sodium mapping within roughly ½ h is demonstrated using MRF in the human brain, moving sodium relaxometric mapping toward clinically relevant measurement times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian J Kratzer
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Flassbeck
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University, New York, New York, USA
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research, New York University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sebastian Schmitter
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig and Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tobias Wilferth
- Institute of Radiology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arthur W Magill
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Benjamin R Knowles
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tanja Platt
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Bachert
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mark E Ladd
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Armin M Nagel
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Radiology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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24
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Adlung A, Paschke NK, Golla AK, Bauer D, Mohamed SA, Samartzi M, Fatar M, Neumaier-Probst E, Zöllner FG, Schad LR. 23 Na MRI in ischemic stroke: Acquisition time reduction using postprocessing with convolutional neural networks. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2021; 34:e4474. [PMID: 33480128 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Quantitative 23 Na magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides tissue sodium concentration (TSC), which is connected to cell viability and vitality. Long acquisition times are one of the most challenging aspects for its clinical establishment. K-space undersampling is an approach for acquisition time reduction, but generates noise and artifacts. The use of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) is increasing in medical imaging and they are a useful tool for MRI postprocessing. The aim of this study is 23 Na MRI acquisition time reduction by k-space undersampling. CNNs were applied to reduce the resulting noise and artifacts. A retrospective analysis from a prospective study was conducted including image datasets from 46 patients (aged 72 ± 13 years; 25 women, 21 men) with ischemic stroke; the 23 Na MRI acquisition time was 10 min. The reconstructions were performed with full dataset (FI) and with a simulated dataset an image that was acquired in 2.5 min (RI). Eight different CNNs with either U-Net-based or ResNet-based architectures were implemented with RI as input and FI as label, using batch normalization and the number of filters as varying parameters. Training was performed with 9500 samples and testing included 400 samples. CNN outputs were evaluated based on signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and structural similarity (SSIM). After quantification, TSC error was calculated. The image quality was subjectively rated by three neuroradiologists. Statistical significance was evaluated by Student's t-test. The average SNR was 21.72 ± 2.75 (FI) and 10.16 ± 0.96 (RI). U-Nets increased the SNR of RI to 43.99 and therefore performed better than ResNet. SSIM of RI to FI was improved by three CNNs to 0.91 ± 0.03. CNNs reduced TSC error by up to 15%. The subjective rating of CNN-generated images showed significantly better results than the subjective image rating of RI. The acquisition time of 23 Na MRI can be reduced by 75% due to postprocessing with a CNN on highly undersampled data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Adlung
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nadia K Paschke
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Alena-Kathrin Golla
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Mannheim Institute for Intelligent Systems in Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Dominik Bauer
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Mannheim Institute for Intelligent Systems in Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sherif A Mohamed
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Melina Samartzi
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marc Fatar
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Eva Neumaier-Probst
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Frank G Zöllner
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Mannheim Institute for Intelligent Systems in Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lothar R Schad
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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25
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Adlung A, Samartzi M, Schad LR, Neumaier-Probst E, Fatar M, A Mohamed S. Tissue Sodium Concentration within White Matter Correlates with the Extent of Small Vessel Disease. Cerebrovasc Dis 2021; 50:347-355. [PMID: 33730735 DOI: 10.1159/000514133] [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: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sodium MRI (23Na MRI) derived biomarkers such as tissue sodium concentration (TSC) provide valuable information on cell function and brain tissue viability and has become a reliable tool for the assessment of brain tumors and ischemic stroke beyond pathoanatomical morphology. Patients with major stroke often suffer from different degrees of underlying white matter lesions (WMLs) attributed to chronic small vessel disease. This study aimed to evaluate the WM TSC in patients with an acute ischemic stroke and to correlate the TSC with the extent of small vessel disease. Furthermore, the reliability of relative TSC (rTSC) compared to absolute TSC in these patients was analyzed. METHODOLOGY We prospectively examined 62 patients with acute ischemic stroke (73 ± 13 years) between November 2016 and August 2019 from which 18 patients were excluded and thus 44 patients were evaluated. A 3D 23Na MRI was acquired in addition to a T2-TIRM and a diffusion-weighted image. Coregistration and segmentation were performed with SPM 12 based on the T2-TIRM image. The extension of WM T2 hyperintense lesions in each patient was classified using the Fazekas scale of WMLs. The absolute TSC in the WM region was correlated to the Fazekas grades. The stroke region was manually segmented on the coregistered absolute diffusion coefficient image and absolute, and rTSC was calculated in the stroke region and compared to nonischemic WM region. Statistical significance was evaluated using the Student t-test. RESULTS For patients with Fazekas grade I (n = 25, age: 68.5 ± 15.1 years), mean TSC in WM was 55.57 ± 7.43 mM, and it was not statistically significant different from patients with Fazekas grade II (n = 7, age: 77.9 ± 6.4 years) with a mean TSC in WM of 53.9 ± 6.4 mM, p = 0.58. For patients with Fazekas grade III (n = 9, age: 81.4 ± 7.9 years), mean TSC in WM was 68.7 ± 10.5 mM, which is statistically significantly higher than the TSC in patients with Fazekas grade I and II (p < 0.001 and p = 0.05, respectively). There was a positive correlation between the TSC in WM and the Fazekas grade with r = 0.48 p < 0.001. The rTSC in the stroke region was statistically significant difference between low (0 and I) and high (2 and 3) Fazekas grades (p = 0.0353) whereas there was no statistically significant difference in absolute TSC in the stroke region between low (0 and I) and high (2 and 3) Fazekas grades. CONCLUSION The significant difference in absolute TSC in WM in patients with severe small vessel disease; Fazekas grade 3 can lead to inaccuracies using rTSC quantification for evaluation of acute ischemic stroke using 23 Na MRI. The study, therefore, emphasizes the importance of absolute tissue sodium quantification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Adlung
- Department of Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Melina Samartzi
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lothar R Schad
- Department of Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Eva Neumaier-Probst
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Marc Fatar
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sherif A Mohamed
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany,
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26
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Zaric O, Farr A, Minarikova L, Lachner S, Asseryanis E, Nagel AM, Weber M, Singer CF, Trattnig S. Tissue Sodium Concentration Quantification at 7.0-T MRI as an Early Marker for Chemotherapy Response in Breast Cancer: A Feasibility Study. Radiology 2021; 299:63-72. [PMID: 33591888 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2021201600] [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 Tissue sodium concentration (TSC) is elevated in breast cancer and can determine chemotherapy response. Purpose To test the feasibility of using a sodium 23 (23Na) MRI protocol at 7.0 T for TSC quantification to predict early treatment outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer and to determine whether those quantitative values provide additional information about efficacy. Materials and Methods Women with primary breast cancer were included in this prospective study. From July 2017 to June 2018, participants underwent 7.0-T 23Na MRI. Multichannel data sets were acquired with a density-adapted, three-dimensional radial projection reconstruction pulse sequence. Two-dimensional tumor size and TSC were evaluated before and after the first and second chemotherapy cycle, and statistical tests were performed based on the presence or absence of a pathologic complete response (pCR). Results Fifteen women with breast cancer and six healthy women were enrolled. The mean baseline tumor size in women with a pCR was 7.0 cm2 ± 5.0 (standard deviation), and the mean baseline tumor size in women without a pCR was 19.0 cm2 ± 12.0. After the first chemotherapy cycle, women with a pCR showed a reduced tumor size of 32.9% (2.3 cm2/7.0 cm2), compared with 15.3% (2.9 cm2/19.0 cm2) in those without a pCR. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for tumor size reduction after the first and second chemotherapy cycle were 0.73 (95% CI: 0.09, 0.50; P = .12) and 0.93 (95% CI: 0.04, 0.60; P < .001), respectively. Women with a pCR had a mean baseline TSC of 69.4 mmol/L ± 6.1, with a reduction of 12.0% (8.3 mmol/L), whereas those without a pCR had a mean baseline TSC of 71.7 mmol/L ± 5.7, with a reduction of 4.7% (3.4 mmol/L) after the first cycle. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for TSC after the first and second cycles were 0.96 (95% CI: 0.86, 1.00; P < .001) and 1.000 (95% CI: 1.00, P < .001), respectively. Conclusion Using 7.0-T MRI for tissue sodium concentration quantification to predict early treatment outcomes of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer is feasible, with reduced tissue sodium concentration indicative of cancer response. © RSNA, 2021 Online supplemental material is available for this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olgica Zaric
- From the Institute for Clinical Molecular MRI in Musculoskeletal System, Karl Landsteiner Society, Vienna, Austria (O.Z., S.T.); Breast Health Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A.F., E.A., C.F.S.), and High Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy (L.M., M.W., S.T.), Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany (S.L., A.M.N.); and Christian Doppler Laboratory for Clinical Molecular MRI, Christian Doppler Forschungsgesellschaft, Vienna, Austria (S.T.)
| | - Alex Farr
- From the Institute for Clinical Molecular MRI in Musculoskeletal System, Karl Landsteiner Society, Vienna, Austria (O.Z., S.T.); Breast Health Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A.F., E.A., C.F.S.), and High Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy (L.M., M.W., S.T.), Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany (S.L., A.M.N.); and Christian Doppler Laboratory for Clinical Molecular MRI, Christian Doppler Forschungsgesellschaft, Vienna, Austria (S.T.)
| | - Lenka Minarikova
- From the Institute for Clinical Molecular MRI in Musculoskeletal System, Karl Landsteiner Society, Vienna, Austria (O.Z., S.T.); Breast Health Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A.F., E.A., C.F.S.), and High Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy (L.M., M.W., S.T.), Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany (S.L., A.M.N.); and Christian Doppler Laboratory for Clinical Molecular MRI, Christian Doppler Forschungsgesellschaft, Vienna, Austria (S.T.)
| | - Sebastian Lachner
- From the Institute for Clinical Molecular MRI in Musculoskeletal System, Karl Landsteiner Society, Vienna, Austria (O.Z., S.T.); Breast Health Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A.F., E.A., C.F.S.), and High Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy (L.M., M.W., S.T.), Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany (S.L., A.M.N.); and Christian Doppler Laboratory for Clinical Molecular MRI, Christian Doppler Forschungsgesellschaft, Vienna, Austria (S.T.)
| | - Ella Asseryanis
- From the Institute for Clinical Molecular MRI in Musculoskeletal System, Karl Landsteiner Society, Vienna, Austria (O.Z., S.T.); Breast Health Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A.F., E.A., C.F.S.), and High Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy (L.M., M.W., S.T.), Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany (S.L., A.M.N.); and Christian Doppler Laboratory for Clinical Molecular MRI, Christian Doppler Forschungsgesellschaft, Vienna, Austria (S.T.)
| | - Armin M Nagel
- From the Institute for Clinical Molecular MRI in Musculoskeletal System, Karl Landsteiner Society, Vienna, Austria (O.Z., S.T.); Breast Health Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A.F., E.A., C.F.S.), and High Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy (L.M., M.W., S.T.), Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany (S.L., A.M.N.); and Christian Doppler Laboratory for Clinical Molecular MRI, Christian Doppler Forschungsgesellschaft, Vienna, Austria (S.T.)
| | - Michael Weber
- From the Institute for Clinical Molecular MRI in Musculoskeletal System, Karl Landsteiner Society, Vienna, Austria (O.Z., S.T.); Breast Health Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A.F., E.A., C.F.S.), and High Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy (L.M., M.W., S.T.), Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany (S.L., A.M.N.); and Christian Doppler Laboratory for Clinical Molecular MRI, Christian Doppler Forschungsgesellschaft, Vienna, Austria (S.T.)
| | - Christian F Singer
- From the Institute for Clinical Molecular MRI in Musculoskeletal System, Karl Landsteiner Society, Vienna, Austria (O.Z., S.T.); Breast Health Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A.F., E.A., C.F.S.), and High Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy (L.M., M.W., S.T.), Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany (S.L., A.M.N.); and Christian Doppler Laboratory for Clinical Molecular MRI, Christian Doppler Forschungsgesellschaft, Vienna, Austria (S.T.)
| | - Siegfried Trattnig
- From the Institute for Clinical Molecular MRI in Musculoskeletal System, Karl Landsteiner Society, Vienna, Austria (O.Z., S.T.); Breast Health Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A.F., E.A., C.F.S.), and High Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy (L.M., M.W., S.T.), Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany (S.L., A.M.N.); and Christian Doppler Laboratory for Clinical Molecular MRI, Christian Doppler Forschungsgesellschaft, Vienna, Austria (S.T.)
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27
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Abstract
BACKGROUND X‑nuclei magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) yields a broad spectrum of metabolic and functional imaging techniques with increasing clinical feasibility. OBJECTIVE Current X‑nuclei techniques in (neuro)oncology with emphasis on potential clinical applications of sodium and oxygen MRI are described and discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS Review with discussion of state-of-the-art literature on X‑nuclei imaging. RESULTS X‑nuclei MRI employs NMR-sensitive nonproton nuclei to enable both anatomical visualization as well as noninvasive imaging and quantification of physiological processes in the human body. At the moment, sodium MRI represents the most common application of X‑nuclei MRI because of its comparatively high NMR signal. Moreover, its sensitivity to pathological cellular proliferation renders sodium MRI a good candidate for oncological imaging, yielding additional biochemical information to proton MRI. Oxygen MRI is currently primarily investigational, requiring high technical efforts and costs. However, preliminary results show a huge potential of this technique for metabolic characterization of tumors. CONCLUSIONS X‑nuclei MRI is a rapidly evolving field in metabolic and functional imaging. In coming years, sodium MRI is expected to be increasingly used as an additional clinical tool in oncology to enhance diagnostic accuracy.
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28
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Kim S, Song J, Yoon J, Kim K, Chung J, Noh Y. Voxel-wise partial volume correction method for accurate estimation of tissue sodium concentration in 23 Na-MRI at 7 T. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2021; 34:e4448. [PMID: 33270326 PMCID: PMC7816248 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Sodium is crucial for the maintenance of cell physiology, and its regulation of the sodium-potassium pump has implications for various neurological conditions. The distribution of sodium concentrations in tissue can be quantitatively evaluated by means of sodium MRI (23 Na-MRI). Despite its usefulness in diagnosing particular disease conditions, tissue sodium concentration (TSC) estimated from 23 Na-MRI can be strongly biased by partial volume effects (PVEs) that are induced by broad point spread functions (PSFs) as well as tissue fraction effects. In this work, we aimed to propose a robust voxel-wise partial volume correction (PVC) method for 23 Na-MRI. The method is based on a linear regression (LR) approach to correct for tissue fraction effects, but it utilizes a 3D kernel combined with a modified least trimmed square (3D-mLTS) method in order to minimize regression-induced inherent smoothing effects. We acquired 23 Na-MRI data with conventional Cartesian sampling at 7 T, and spill-over effects due to the PSF were considered prior to correcting for tissue fraction effects using 3D-mLTS. In the simulation, we found that the TSCs of gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) were underestimated by 20% and 11% respectively without correcting tissue fraction effects, but the differences between ground truth and PVE-corrected data after the PVC using the 3D-mLTS method were only approximately 0.6% and 0.4% for GM and WM, respectively. The capability of the 3D-mLTS method was further demonstrated with in vivo 23 Na-MRI data, showing significantly lower regression errors (ie root mean squared error) as compared with conventional LR methods (p < 0.001). The results of simulation and in vivo experiments revealed that 3D-mLTS is superior for determining under- or overestimated TSCs while preserving anatomical details. This suggests that the 3D-mLTS method is well suited for the accurate determination of TSC, especially in small focal lesions associated with pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang‐Young Kim
- Neuroscience Research InstituteGachon UniversityIncheonRepublic of Korea
| | - Junghyun Song
- Neuroscience Research InstituteGachon UniversityIncheonRepublic of Korea
| | - Jong‐Hyun Yoon
- Neuroscience Research InstituteGachon UniversityIncheonRepublic of Korea
| | - Kyoung‐Nam Kim
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringGachon UniversityIncheonRepublic of Korea
| | - Jun‐Young Chung
- Neuroscience Research InstituteGachon UniversityIncheonRepublic of Korea
- Department of NeuroscienceGachon University College of MedicineIncheonRepublic of Korea
| | - Young Noh
- Neuroscience Research InstituteGachon UniversityIncheonRepublic of Korea
- Department of Neurology, Gil Medical CenterGachon University College of Medicin eIncheonRepublic of Korea
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29
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Gordon JW, Autry AW, Tang S, Graham JY, Bok RA, Zhu X, Villanueva-Meyer JE, Li Y, Ohilger MA, Abraham MR, Xu D, Vigneron DB, Larson PEZ. A variable resolution approach for improved acquisition of hyperpolarized 13 C metabolic MRI. Magn Reson Med 2020; 84:2943-2952. [PMID: 32697867 PMCID: PMC7719570 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To ameliorate tradeoffs between a fixed spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for hyperpolarized 13 C MRI. METHODS In MRI, SNR is proportional to voxel volume but retrospective downsampling or voxel averaging only improves SNR by the square root of voxel size. This can be exploited with a metabolite-selective imaging approach that independently encodes each compound, yielding high-resolution images for the injected substrate and coarser resolution images for downstream metabolites, while maintaining adequate SNR for each. To assess the efficacy of this approach, hyperpolarized [1-13 C]pyruvate data were acquired in healthy Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 4) and in two healthy human subjects. RESULTS Compared with a constant resolution acquisition, variable-resolution data sets showed improved detectability of metabolites in pre-clinical renal studies with a 3.5-fold, 8.7-fold, and 6.0-fold increase in SNR for lactate, alanine, and bicarbonate data, respectively. Variable-resolution data sets from healthy human subjects showed cardiac structure and neuro-vasculature in the higher resolution pyruvate images (6.0 × 6.0 mm2 for cardiac and 7.5 × 7.5 mm2 for brain) that would otherwise be missed due to partial-volume effects and illustrates the level of detail that can be achieved with hyperpolarized substrates in a clinical setting. CONCLUSION We developed a variable-resolution strategy for hyperpolarized 13 C MRI using metabolite-selective imaging and demonstrated that it mitigates tradeoffs between a fixed spatial resolution and SNR for hyperpolarized substrates, providing both high resolution pyruvate and coarse resolution metabolite data sets in a single exam. This technique shows promise to improve future studies by maximizing metabolite SNR while minimizing partial-volume effects from the injected substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy W. Gordon
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Adam W. Autry
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Shuyu Tang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California San Francisco and University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Jasmine Y. Graham
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California San Francisco and University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Robert A. Bok
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Xucheng Zhu
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California San Francisco and University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Javier E. Villanueva-Meyer
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Michael A. Ohilger
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Maria Roselle Abraham
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Duan Xu
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California San Francisco and University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Daniel B. Vigneron
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California San Francisco and University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Peder E. Z. Larson
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California San Francisco and University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
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30
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Regnery S, Behl NGR, Platt T, Weinfurtner N, Windisch P, Deike-Hofmann K, Sahm F, Bendszus M, Debus J, Ladd ME, Schlemmer HP, Rieken S, Adeberg S, Paech D. Ultra-high-field sodium MRI as biomarker for tumor extent, grade and IDH mutation status in glioma patients. Neuroimage Clin 2020; 28:102427. [PMID: 33002860 PMCID: PMC7527584 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This prospective clinical trial investigated sodium (23Na) MRI at 7 Tesla (T) field strength as biomarker for tumor extent, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation and O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promotor methylation in glioma patients. METHODS 28 glioma patients underwent 23Na MRI on a 7T scanner (Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany) parallel to standard 3T MRI before chemoradiation. Areas of Gadolinium-contrast enhancement (gdce), non-enhancing T2-hyperintensity (regarded as edema), necrosis, and normal-appearing white matter (nawm) were segmented on 3T MRI imaging and were co-registered with the 23Na images. The median total 23Na concentrations of all areas were compared by pairwise t-tests. Furthermore, areas of gdce and edema were merged to yield the whole tumor area without necrosis. Subsequently, the difference in median of the 23Na concentration of this whole tumor area was compared between IDH-mutated and IDH wild-type gliomas as well as MGMT methylated and MGMT not-methylated glioblastomas using Whitney-Mann U-tests. All p-values were corrected after the Bonferroni-Holm procedure. RESULTS The 23Na concentration increased successively from nawm to necrotic areas (mean ± sd: nawm = 37.84 ± 5.87 mM, edema = 54.69 ± 10.64 mM, gdce = 61.72 ± 12.95 mM, necrosis = 81.88 ± 17.53 mM) and the concentrations differed statistically significantly between all regarded areas (adjusted p-values for all pairwise comparisons < 0.05). Furthermore, IDH-mutated gliomas showed significantly higher 23Na concentrations than IDH wild-type gliomas (median [interquartile range]: IDH wild-type = 52.37 mM [45.98 - 58.56 mM], IDH mutated = 65.02 mM [58.87-67.05 mM], p = 0.039). Among the glioblastomas, there was a trend towards increased 23Na concentration in MGMT methylated tumors that did not reach statistical significance (median [interquartile range]: MGMT methylated = 57.59 mM [50.70 - 59.17 mM], MGMT not methylated = 48.78 mM [45.88 - 53.91 mM], p = 1.0). CONCLUSIONS 23Na MRI correlates with the IDH mutation status and could therefore enhance image guidance towards biopsy sites as wells as image-guided surgery and radiotherapy. Furthermore, the successive decrease of 23Na concentration from central necrosis to normal-appearing white matter suggests a correlation with tumor infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Regnery
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nicolas G R Behl
- Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Erlangen, Germany; Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tanja Platt
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nina Weinfurtner
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Paul Windisch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katerina Deike-Hofmann
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felix Sahm
- Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 224, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; CCU Neuropathology, German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Bendszus
- Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen Debus
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mark E Ladd
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Physics and Astronomy and Faculty of Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Heinz-Peter Schlemmer
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Rieken
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Adeberg
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; Clinical Cooperation Unit Radiation Oncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Paech
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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31
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Gast LV, Völker S, Utzschneider M, Linz P, Wilferth T, Müller M, Kopp C, Hensel B, Uder M, Nagel AM. Combined imaging of potassium and sodium in human skeletal muscle tissue at 7 T. Magn Reson Med 2020; 85:239-253. [PMID: 32869364 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To validate the feasibility of quantitative combined potassium (39 K) and sodium (23 Na) MRI in human calf muscle tissue, as well as to evaluate the reproducibility of the apparent tissue potassium concentration (aTPC) and apparent tissue sodium concentration (aTSC) determination in healthy muscle tissue. METHODS Quantitative 23 Na and 39 K MRI acquisition protocols were implemented on a 7 T MR system. A double-resonant 23 Na/39 K birdcage RF coil was used. Measurements of human lower leg were performed in a total acquisition time of TANa = 10:54 min/TAK = 8:06 min and using a nominal spatial resolution of 2.5 × 2.5 × 15 mm3 /7.5 × 7.5 × 30 mm3 for 23 Na/39 K MRI. Two aTSC and aTPC examinations in muscle tissue were performed during the same day on 10 healthy subjects. RESULTS The proposed acquisition and postprocessing workflow for 23 Na and 39 K MRI data sets provided reproducible aTSC and aTPC measurements. In human calf muscle tissue, the coefficient of variation between scan and re-scan was 5.7% for both aTSC and aTPC determination. Overall, mean values of aTSC = (17 ± 1) mM and aTPC = (85 ± 5) mM were measured. Moreover, for 39 K in calf muscle tissue, T 2 ∗ components of T 2 f ∗ = (1.2 ± 0.2) ms and T 2 s ∗ = (7.9 ± 0.9) ms, as well as a residual quadrupolar interaction of ω q ¯ = (143 ± 17) Hz, were determined. The fraction of the fast component was f = (58 ± 4)%. CONCLUSION Using the presented measurement and postprocessing approach, a reproducible aTSC and aTPC determination using 23 Na and 39 K MRI at 7 T in human skeletal muscle tissue is feasible in clinically acceptable acquisition durations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena V Gast
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.,Institute of Medical Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Völker
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Utzschneider
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.,Pattern Recognition Lab, Department of Computer Science, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Peter Linz
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tobias Wilferth
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Max Müller
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christoph Kopp
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Bernhard Hensel
- Center for Medical Physics and Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Michael Uder
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Armin M Nagel
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.,Institute of Medical Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.,Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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32
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Zaric O, Juras V, Szomolanyi P, Schreiner M, Raudner M, Giraudo C, Trattnig S. Frontiers of Sodium MRI Revisited: From Cartilage to Brain Imaging. J Magn Reson Imaging 2020; 54:58-75. [PMID: 32851736 PMCID: PMC8246730 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.27326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sodium magnetic resonance imaging (23 Na-MRI) is a highly promising imaging modality that offers the possibility to noninvasively quantify sodium content in the tissue, one of the most relevant parameters for biochemical investigations. Despite its great potential, due to the intrinsically low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of sodium imaging generated by low in vivo sodium concentrations, low gyromagnetic ratio, and substantially shorter relaxation times than for proton (1 H) imaging, 23 Na-MRI is extremely challenging. In this article, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature that has been published in the last 10-15 years and which has demonstrated different technical designs for a range of 23 Na-MRI methods applicable for disease diagnoses and treatment efficacy evaluations. Currently, a wider use of 3.0T and 7.0T systems provide imaging with the expected increase in SNR and, consequently, an increased image resolution and a reduced scanning time. A great interest in translational research has enlarged the field of sodium MRI applications to almost all parts of the body: articular cartilage tendons, spine, heart, breast, muscle, kidney, and brain, etc., and several pathological conditions, such as tumors, neurological and degenerative diseases, and others. The quantitative parameter, tissue sodium concentration, which reflects changes in intracellular sodium concentration, extracellular sodium concentration, and intra-/extracellular volume fractions is becoming acknowledged as a reliable biomarker. Although the great potential of this technique is evident, there must be steady technical development for 23 Na-MRI to become a standard imaging tool. The future role of sodium imaging is not to be considered as an alternative to 1 H MRI, but to provide early, diagnostically valuable information about altered metabolism or tissue function associated with disease genesis and progression. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olgica Zaric
- Institute for Clinical Molecular MRI in the Musculoskeletal System, Karl Landsteiner Society, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vladimir Juras
- High-Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Imaging Methods, Institute of Measurement Science, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Pavol Szomolanyi
- High-Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Markus Schreiner
- Deartment of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marcus Raudner
- High-Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Chiara Giraudo
- Radiology Institute, Department of Medicine, DIMED Padova University Via Giustiniani 2, Padova, Italy
| | - Siegfried Trattnig
- Institute for Clinical Molecular MRI in the Musculoskeletal System, Karl Landsteiner Society, Vienna, Austria.,High-Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Clinical Molecular MRI, Christian Doppler Forschungsgesellschaft, Vienna, Austria
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33
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Sodium relaxometry using
23
Na MR fingerprinting: A proof of concept. Magn Reson Med 2020; 84:2577-2591. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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34
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Poku LO, Phil M, Cheng Y, Wang K, Sun X. 23 Na-MRI as a Noninvasive Biomarker for Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis. J Magn Reson Imaging 2020; 53:995-1014. [PMID: 32219933 PMCID: PMC7984266 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.27147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The influx of sodium (Na+) ions into a resting cell is regulated by Na+ channels and by Na+/H+ and Na+/Ca2+ exchangers, whereas Na+ ion efflux is mediated by the activity of Na+/K+‐ATPase to maintain a high transmembrane Na+ ion gradient. Dysfunction of this system leads to changes in the intracellular sodium concentration that promotes cancer metastasis by mediating invasion and migration. In addition, the accumulation of extracellular Na+ ions in cancer due to inflammation contributes to tumor immunogenicity. Thus, alterations in the Na+ ion concentration may potentially be used as a biomarker for malignant tumor diagnosis and prognosis. However, current limitations in detection technology and a complex tumor microenvironment present significant challenges for the in vivo assessment of Na+ concentration in tumor. 23Na‐magnetic resonance imaging (23Na‐MRI) offers a unique opportunity to study the effects of Na+ ion concentration changes in cancer. Although challenged by a low signal‐to‐noise ratio, the development of ultrahigh magnetic field scanners and specialized sodium acquisition sequences has significantly advanced 23Na‐MRI. 23Na‐MRI provides biochemical information that reflects cell viability, structural integrity, and energy metabolism, and has been shown to reveal rapid treatment response at the molecular level before morphological changes occur. Here we review the basis of 23Na‐MRI technology and discuss its potential as a direct noninvasive in vivo diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for cancer therapy, particularly in cancer immunotherapy. We propose that 23Na‐MRI is a promising method with a wide range of applications in the tumor immuno‐microenvironment research field and in cancer immunotherapy monitoring. Level of Evidence 2 Technical Efficacy Stage 2
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M Phil
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Molecular Probe and Targeted Theranostics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRC), Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,TOF-PET/CT/MR Center, The Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yongna Cheng
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Molecular Probe and Targeted Theranostics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRC), Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,TOF-PET/CT/MR Center, The Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Kai Wang
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Molecular Probe and Targeted Theranostics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRC), Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,TOF-PET/CT/MR Center, The Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xilin Sun
- NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Molecular Probe and Targeted Theranostics, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRC), Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,TOF-PET/CT/MR Center, The Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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35
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Lachner S, Ruck L, Niesporek SC, Utzschneider M, Lott J, Hensel B, Dörfler A, Uder M, Nagel AM. Comparison of optimized intensity correction methods for 23Na MRI of the human brain using a 32-channel phased array coil at 7 Tesla. Z Med Phys 2019; 30:104-115. [PMID: 31866116 DOI: 10.1016/j.zemedi.2019.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To correct for the non-homogeneous receive profile of a phased array head coil in sodium magnetic resonance imaging (23Na MRI). METHODS 23Na MRI of the human brain (n = 8) was conducted on a 7T MR system using a dual-tuned quadrature 1H/23Na transmit/receive birdcage coil, equipped with a 32-channel receive-only array. To correct the inhomogeneous receive profile four different methods were applied: (1) the uncorrected phased array image and an additionally acquired birdcage image as reference image were low-pass filtered and divided by each other. (2) The second method substituted the reference image by a support region. (3) By averaging the individually calculated receive profiles, a universal sensitivity map was obtained and applied. (4) The receive profile was determined by a pre-scanned large uniform phantom. The calculation of the sensitivity maps was optimized in a simulation study using the normalized root-mean-square error (NRMSE). All methods were evaluated in phantom measurements and finally applied to in vivo 23Na MRI data sets. The in vivo measurements were partial volume corrected and for further evaluation the signal ratio between the outer and inner cerebrospinal fluid compartments (CSFout:CSFin) was calculated. RESULTS Phantom measurements show the correction of the intensity profile applying the given methods. Compared to the uncorrected phased array image (NRMSE = 0.46, CSFout:CSFin = 1.71), the quantitative evaluation of simulated and measured intensity corrected human brain data sets indicates the best performance utilizing the birdcage image (NRMSE = 0.39, CSFout:CSFin = 1.00). However, employing a support region (NRMSE = 0.40, CSFout:CSFin = 1.17), a universal sensitivity map (NRMSE = 0.41, CSFout:CSFin = 1.05) or a pre-scanned sensitivity map (NRMSE = 0.42, CSFout:CSFin = 1.07) shows only slightly worse results. CONCLUSION Acquiring a birdcage image as reference image to correct for the receive profile demonstrates the best performance. However, when aiming to reduce acquisition time or for measurements without existing birdcage coil, methods that use a support region as reference image, a universal or a pre-scanned sensitivity map provide good alternatives for correction of the receive profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Lachner
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Laurent Ruck
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sebastian C Niesporek
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Utzschneider
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Johanna Lott
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; University of Heidelberg, Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bernhard Hensel
- Center for Medical Physics and Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Arnd Dörfler
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Germany
| | - Michael Uder
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Armin M Nagel
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany; Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Institute of Medical Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
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Feasibility study of a double resonant (1H/23Na) abdominal RF setup at 3 T. Z Med Phys 2019; 29:359-367. [DOI: 10.1016/j.zemedi.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Driver ID, Stobbe RW, Wise RG, Beaulieu C. Venous contribution to sodium MRI in the human brain. Magn Reson Med 2019; 83:1331-1338. [PMID: 31556169 PMCID: PMC6972645 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Sodium MRI shows great promise as a marker for cerebral metabolic dysfunction in stroke, brain tumor, and neurodegenerative pathologies. However, cerebral blood vessels, whose volume and function are perturbed in these pathologies, have elevated sodium concentrations relative to surrounding tissue. This study aims to assess whether this fluid compartment could bias measurements of tissue sodium using MRI. METHODS Density-weighted and B1 corrected sodium MRI of the brain was acquired in 9 healthy participants at 4.7T. Veins were identified using co-registered 1 H T 2 ∗ -weighted images and venous partial volume estimates were calculated by down-sampling the finer spatial resolution venous maps from the T 2 ∗ -weighted images to the coarser spatial resolution of the sodium data. Linear regressions of venous partial volume estimates and sodium signal were performed for regions of interest including just gray matter, just white matter, and all brain tissue. RESULTS Linear regression demonstrated a significant venous sodium contribution above the underlying tissue signal. The apparent venous sodium concentrations derived from regression were 65.8 ± 4.5 mM (all brain tissue), 71.0 ± 7.4 mM (gray matter), and 55.0 ± 4.7 mM (white matter). CONCLUSION Although the partial vein linear regression did not yield the expected sodium concentration in blood (~87 mM), likely the result of point spread function smearing, this regression highlights that blood compartments may bias brain tissue sodium signals across neurological conditions where blood volumes may differ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian D Driver
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Robert W Stobbe
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Richard G Wise
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Beaulieu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Abstract
In this article, an overview of the current developments and research applications for non-proton magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at ultrahigh magnetic fields (UHFs) is given. Due to technical and methodical advances, efficient MRI of physiologically relevant nuclei, such as Na, Cl, Cl, K, O, or P has become feasible and is of interest to obtain spatially and temporally resolved information that can be used for biomedical and diagnostic applications. Sodium (Na) MRI is the most widespread multinuclear imaging method with applications ranging over all regions of the human body. Na MRI yields the second largest in vivo NMR signal after the clinically used proton signal (H). However, other nuclei such as O and P (energy metabolism) or Cl and K (cell viability) are used in an increasing number of MRI studies at UHF. One major advancement has been the increased availability of whole-body MR scanners with UHFs (B0 ≥7T) expanding the range of detectable nuclei. Nevertheless, efforts in terms of pulse sequence and post-processing developments as well as hardware designs must be made to obtain valuable information in clinically feasible measurement times. This review summarizes the available methods in the field of non-proton UHF MRI, especially for Na MRI, as well as introduces potential applications in clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian C Niesporek
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Armin M Nagel
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Medical Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tanja Platt
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Hu R, Kleimaier D, Malzacher M, Hoesl MA, Paschke NK, Schad LR. X‐nuclei imaging: Current state, technical challenges, and future directions. J Magn Reson Imaging 2019; 51:355-376. [DOI: 10.1002/jmri.26780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ruomin Hu
- Computer Assisted Clinical MedicineHeidelberg University Mannheim Germany
| | - Dennis Kleimaier
- Computer Assisted Clinical MedicineHeidelberg University Mannheim Germany
| | - Matthias Malzacher
- Computer Assisted Clinical MedicineHeidelberg University Mannheim Germany
| | | | - Nadia K. Paschke
- Computer Assisted Clinical MedicineHeidelberg University Mannheim Germany
| | - Lothar R. Schad
- Computer Assisted Clinical MedicineHeidelberg University Mannheim Germany
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Liao Y, Lechea N, Magill AW, Worthoff WA, Gras V, Shah NJ. Correlation of quantitative conductivity mapping and total tissue sodium concentration at 3T/4T. Magn Reson Med 2019; 82:1518-1526. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yupeng Liao
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM‐4), Forschungszentrum Jülich Jülich Germany
| | - Nazim Lechea
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM‐4), Forschungszentrum Jülich Jülich Germany
| | - Arthur W. Magill
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM‐4), Forschungszentrum Jülich Jülich Germany
| | - Wieland A. Worthoff
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM‐4), Forschungszentrum Jülich Jülich Germany
| | - Vincent Gras
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM‐4), Forschungszentrum Jülich Jülich Germany
| | - N. Jon Shah
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM‐4), Forschungszentrum Jülich Jülich Germany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM‐11) JARA, Forschungszentrum Jülich Jülich Germany
- JARA‐BRAIN‐Translational Medicine Aachen Germany
- Department of Neurology RWTH Aachen University Aachen Germany
- Monash Biomedical Imaging, School of Psychology Monash University Melbourne Australia
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Malzacher M, Chacon-Caldera J, Paschke N, Schad LR. Feasibility study of a double resonant 8-channel 1H/ 8-channel 23Na receive-only head coil at 3 Tesla. Magn Reson Imaging 2019; 59:97-104. [PMID: 30880113 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2019.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Sodium (23Na) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), especially brain applications are increasingly interesting since sodium MRI can provide additional information about tissue viability and vitality. In order to include sodium MRI in the clinical routine, a single RF setup is preferable which provides high sodium sensitivity and full proton performance in terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and parallel imaging performance. The aim of this work was to evaluate the feasibility of a double resonant receive (Rx) coil array for proton and sodium head MRI. The coil was designed to provide high sodium SNR and full proton performance comparable to commercial coils which are optimized for sodium MRI or for proton MRI, respectively. A measurement setup was built which comprised an 8-channel Rx degenerate Birdcage for sodium imaging and an 8-channel Rx array for proton imaging. The performance of the coil was evaluated against commercial sodium and proton coils using phantom and in-vivo measurements of two healthy volunteers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Malzacher
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Jorge Chacon-Caldera
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nadia Paschke
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Lothar R Schad
- Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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Lott J, Platt T, Niesporek SC, Paech D, G. R. Behl N, Niendorf T, Bachert P, Ladd ME, Nagel AM. Corrections of myocardial tissue sodium concentration measurements in human cardiac
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Na MRI at 7 Tesla. Magn Reson Med 2019; 82:159-173. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Lott
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Medical Physics in Radiology Heidelberg Germany
- University of Heidelberg, Faculty of Physics and Astronomy Heidelberg Germany
| | - Tanja Platt
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Medical Physics in Radiology Heidelberg Germany
| | | | - Daniel Paech
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Radiology, Heidelberg Germany
| | - Nicolas G. R. Behl
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Medical Physics in Radiology Heidelberg Germany
| | - Thoralf Niendorf
- Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association Berlin Germany
- MRI. TOOLS GmbH Berlin Germany
| | - Peter Bachert
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Medical Physics in Radiology Heidelberg Germany
- University of Heidelberg, Faculty of Physics and Astronomy Heidelberg Germany
| | - Mark E. Ladd
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Medical Physics in Radiology Heidelberg Germany
- University of Heidelberg, Faculty of Physics and Astronomy Heidelberg Germany
- University of Heidelberg Faculty of Medicine Heidelberg Germany
| | - Armin M. Nagel
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Medical Physics in Radiology Heidelberg Germany
- Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen Institute of Radiology Erlangen Germany
- Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU) Institute of Medical Physics Erlangen Germany
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Huhn K, Engelhorn T, Linker RA, Nagel AM. Potential of Sodium MRI as a Biomarker for Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation in Multiple Sclerosis. Front Neurol 2019; 10:84. [PMID: 30804885 PMCID: PMC6378293 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In multiple sclerosis (MS), experimental and ex vivo studies indicate that pathologic intra- and extracellular sodium accumulation may play a pivotal role in inflammatory as well as neurodegenerative processes. Yet, in vivo assessment of sodium in the microenvironment is hard to achieve. Here, sodium magnetic resonance imaging (23NaMRI) with its non-invasive properties offers a unique opportunity to further elucidate the effects of sodium disequilibrium in MS pathology in vivo in addition to regular proton based MRI. However, unfavorable physical properties and low in vivo concentrations of sodium ions resulting in low signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) as well as low spatial resolution resulting in partial volume effects limited the application of 23NaMRI. With the recent advent of high-field MRI scanners and more sophisticated sodium MRI acquisition techniques enabling better resolution and higher SNR, 23NaMRI revived. These studies revealed pathologic total sodium concentrations in MS brains now even allowing for the (partial) differentiation of intra- and extracellular sodium accumulation. Within this review we (1) demonstrate the physical basis and imaging techniques of 23NaMRI and (2) analyze the present and future clinical application of 23NaMRI focusing on the field of MS thus highlighting its potential as biomarker for neuroinflammation and -degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin Huhn
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tobias Engelhorn
- Department of Neuroradiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ralf A Linker
- Department of Neurology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Armin M Nagel
- Department of Radiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
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Coste A, Boumezbeur F, Vignaud A, Madelin G, Reetz K, Le Bihan D, Rabrait-Lerman C, Romanzetti S. Tissue sodium concentration and sodium T 1 mapping of the human brain at 3 T using a Variable Flip Angle method. Magn Reson Imaging 2019; 58:116-124. [PMID: 30695720 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2019.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The state-of-the-art method to quantify sodium concentrations in vivo consists in a fully relaxed 3D spin-density (SD) weighted acquisition. Nevertheless, most sodium MRI clinical studies use short-TR SD acquisitions to reduce acquisition durations. We present a clinically viable implementation of the Variable Flip Angle (VFA) method for robust and clinically viable quantification of total sodium concentration (TSC) and longitudinal relaxation rates in vivo in human brain at 3 T. METHODS Two non-Cartesian steady-state spoiled ultrashort echo time (UTE) scans, performed at optimized flip angles, repetition time and pulse length determined under specific absorption rate constraints, are used to simultaneously compute T1 and total sodium concentration (TSC) maps using the VFA method. Images are reconstructed using the non-uniform Fast Fourier Transform algorithm and TSC maps are corrected for possible inhomogeneity of coil transmission and reception profiles. Fractioned acquisitions are used to correct for potential patient motion. TSC quantifications obtained using the VFA method are validated at first in comparison with a fully-relaxed SD acquisition in a calibration phantom. The robustness of similar VFA acquisitions are compared to the short-TR SD approach in vivo on seven healthy volunteers. RESULTS The VFA method resulted in consistent TSC and T1 estimates across our cohort of healthy subjects, with mean TSC of 38.1 ± 5.0 mmol/L and T1 of 39.2 ± 4.4 ms. These results are in agreement with previously reported values in literature TSC estimations and with the predictions of a 2-compartment model. However, the short-TR SD acquisition systematically underestimated the sodium concentration with a mean TSC of 31 ± 4.5 mmol/L. CONCLUSION The VFA method can be applied successfully to image sodium at 3 T in about 20 min and provides robust and intrinsically T1-corrected TSC maps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Coste
- NeuroSpin, CEA DRF-ISVFJ, Paris-Saclay University, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Fawzi Boumezbeur
- NeuroSpin, CEA DRF-ISVFJ, Paris-Saclay University, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Alexandre Vignaud
- NeuroSpin, CEA DRF-ISVFJ, Paris-Saclay University, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Guillaume Madelin
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Kathrin Reetz
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; JARA-BRAIN Institute of Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH and RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Denis Le Bihan
- NeuroSpin, CEA DRF-ISVFJ, Paris-Saclay University, Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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Ladd ME, Bachert P, Meyerspeer M, Moser E, Nagel AM, Norris DG, Schmitter S, Speck O, Straub S, Zaiss M. Pros and cons of ultra-high-field MRI/MRS for human application. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY 2018; 109:1-50. [PMID: 30527132 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnmrs.2018.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 264] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopic techniques are widely used in humans both for clinical diagnostic applications and in basic research areas such as cognitive neuroimaging. In recent years, new human MR systems have become available operating at static magnetic fields of 7 T or higher (≥300 MHz proton frequency). Imaging human-sized objects at such high frequencies presents several challenges including non-uniform radiofrequency fields, enhanced susceptibility artifacts, and higher radiofrequency energy deposition in the tissue. On the other side of the scale are gains in signal-to-noise or contrast-to-noise ratio that allow finer structures to be visualized and smaller physiological effects to be detected. This review presents an overview of some of the latest methodological developments in human ultra-high field MRI/MRS as well as associated clinical and scientific applications. Emphasis is given to techniques that particularly benefit from the changing physical characteristics at high magnetic fields, including susceptibility-weighted imaging and phase-contrast techniques, imaging with X-nuclei, MR spectroscopy, CEST imaging, as well as functional MRI. In addition, more general methodological developments such as parallel transmission and motion correction will be discussed that are required to leverage the full potential of higher magnetic fields, and an overview of relevant physiological considerations of human high magnetic field exposure is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark E Ladd
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; Erwin L. Hahn Institute for MRI, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Peter Bachert
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Martin Meyerspeer
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; MR Center of Excellence, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Ewald Moser
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; MR Center of Excellence, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Armin M Nagel
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany.
| | - David G Norris
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Erwin L. Hahn Institute for MRI, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Sebastian Schmitter
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany; Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig and Berlin, Germany.
| | - Oliver Speck
- Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioural Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany; Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Sina Straub
- Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Moritz Zaiss
- High-Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max-Planck-Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.
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Thulborn KR, Ma C, Sun C, Atkinson IC, Claiborne T, Umathum R, Wright SM, Liang ZP. SERIAL transmit - parallel receive (ST xPR x) MR imaging produces acceptable proton image uniformity without compromising field of view or SAR guidelines for human neuroimaging at 9.4 Tesla. JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE (SAN DIEGO, CALIF. : 1997) 2018; 293:145-153. [PMID: 30012280 PMCID: PMC6084804 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmr.2018.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Non-uniform B1+ excitation and high specific absorption rates (SAR) compromise proton MR imaging of human brain at 9.4 T (400.5 MHz). By combining a transmit/receive surface coil array using serial transmission of individual coils with a total generalized variation reconstruction of images from all coils, acceptable quality human brain imaging is demonstrated. METHODS B0 is shimmed using sodium MR imaging (105.4 MHz) with a birdcage coil. Proton MR imaging is performed with an excitation/receive array of surface coils. The modified FLASH pulse sequence transmits serially across each coil within the array thereby distributing SAR in time and space. All coils operate in receive mode. Although the excitation profile of each transmit coil is non-uniform, the sensitivity profile estimated from the non-transmit receive coils provides an acceptable sensitivity correction. Signals from all coils are combined in a total generalized variation (TGV) reconstruction to provide a full field of view image at maximum signal to noise (SNR) performance. RESULTS High-resolution images across the human head are demonstrated with acceptable uniformity and SNR. CONCLUSION Proton MR imaging of the human brain is possible with acceptable uniformity at low SAR at 9.4 Tesla using this serial excitation and parallel reception strategy with TGV reconstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith R Thulborn
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1801 West Taylor St., MC 707, Suite 1307, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| | - Chao Ma
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 660, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Chenhao Sun
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, Wisenbaker Engineering Building, College Station, TX 77843-3128, USA
| | - Ian C Atkinson
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1801 West Taylor St., MC 707, Suite 1307, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Theodore Claiborne
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1801 West Taylor St., MC 707, Suite 1307, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Reiner Umathum
- German Cancer Center (DKFZ), Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Steven M Wright
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, Wisenbaker Engineering Building, College Station, TX 77843-3128, USA
| | - Zhi-Pei Liang
- Beckman Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 405 North Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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Worthoff WA, Shymanskaya A, Shah NJ. Relaxometry and quantification in simultaneously acquired single and triple quantum filtered sodium MRI. Magn Reson Med 2018; 81:303-315. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Wieland A. Worthoff
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine - 4, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH; Jülich Germany
| | - Aliaksandra Shymanskaya
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine - 4, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH; Jülich Germany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine - 11, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH; Jülich Germany
| | - N. Jon Shah
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine - 4, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH; Jülich Germany
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine - 11, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH; Jülich Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology; RWTH Aachen University; Aachen Germany
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Ridley B, Nagel AM, Bydder M, Maarouf A, Stellmann JP, Gherib S, Verneuil J, Viout P, Guye M, Ranjeva JP, Zaaraoui W. Distribution of brain sodium long and short relaxation times and concentrations: a multi-echo ultra-high field 23Na MRI study. Sci Rep 2018. [PMID: 29531255 PMCID: PMC5847519 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22711-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Sodium (23Na) MRI proffers the possibility of novel information for neurological research but also particular challenges. Uncertainty can arise in in vivo 23Na estimates from signal losses given the rapidity of T2* decay due to biexponential relaxation with both short (T2*short) and long (T2*long) components. We build on previous work by characterising the decay curve directly via multi-echo imaging at 7 T in 13 controls with the requisite number, distribution and range to assess the distribution of both in vivo T2*short and T2*long and in variation between grey and white matter, and subregions. By modelling the relationship between signal and reference concentration and applying it to in vivo 23Na-MRI signal, 23Na concentrations and apparent transverse relaxation times of different brain regions were measured for the first time. Relaxation components and concentrations differed substantially between regions of differing tissue composition, suggesting sensitivity of multi-echo 23Na-MRI toward features of tissue composition. As such, these results raise the prospect of multi-echo 23Na-MRI as an adjunct source of information on biochemical mechanisms in both physiological and pathophysiological states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Ridley
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, CRMBM UMR 7339, Marseille, France. .,APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France.
| | - Armin M Nagel
- University Hospital Erlangen, Institute of Radiology, Erlangen, Germany.,Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Centre (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mark Bydder
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, CRMBM UMR 7339, Marseille, France.,APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France
| | - Adil Maarouf
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, CRMBM UMR 7339, Marseille, France.,APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France
| | - Jan-Patrick Stellmann
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, CRMBM UMR 7339, Marseille, France.,APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France
| | - Soraya Gherib
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, CRMBM UMR 7339, Marseille, France.,APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France
| | - Jeremy Verneuil
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, CRMBM UMR 7339, Marseille, France.,APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France
| | - Patrick Viout
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, CRMBM UMR 7339, Marseille, France.,APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France
| | - Maxime Guye
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, CRMBM UMR 7339, Marseille, France.,APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Philippe Ranjeva
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, CRMBM UMR 7339, Marseille, France.,APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France
| | - Wafaa Zaaraoui
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, CRMBM UMR 7339, Marseille, France.,APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, CEMEREM, Marseille, France
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49
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Thulborn KR. Quantitative sodium MR imaging: A review of its evolving role in medicine. Neuroimage 2018; 168:250-268. [PMID: 27890804 PMCID: PMC5443706 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.11.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 10/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Sodium magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in humans has promised metabolic information that can improve medical management in important diseases. This technology has yet to find a role in clinical practice, lagging proton MR imaging by decades. This review covers the literature that demonstrates that this delay is explained by initial challenges of low sensitivity at low magnetic fields and the limited performance of gradients and electronics available in the 1980s. These constraints were removed by the introduction of 3T and now ultrahigh (≥7T) magnetic field scanners with superior gradients and electronics for proton MR imaging. New projection pulse sequence designs have greatly improved sodium acquisition efficiency. The increased field strength has provided the expected increased sensitivity to achieve resolutions acceptable for metabolic interpretation even in small target tissues. Consistency of quantification of the sodium MR image to provide metabolic parametric maps has been demonstrated by several different pulse sequences and calibration procedures. The vital roles of sodium ion in membrane transport and the extracellular matrix will be reviewed to indicate the broad opportunities that now exist for clinical sodium MR imaging. The final challenge is for the technology to be supplied on clinical ≥3T scanners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith R Thulborn
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1801 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, United States.
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50
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Platt T, Umathum R, Fiedler TM, Nagel AM, Bitz AK, Maier F, Bachert P, Ladd ME, Wielpütz MO, Kauczor HU, Behl NG. In vivo self-gated 23
Na MRI at 7 T using an oval-shaped body resonator. Magn Reson Med 2018; 80:1005-1019. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Platt
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280; 69120 Heidelberg Germany
| | - Reiner Umathum
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280; 69120 Heidelberg Germany
| | - Thomas M. Fiedler
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280; 69120 Heidelberg Germany
| | - Armin M. Nagel
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280; 69120 Heidelberg Germany
- Institute of Radiology; University Hospital Erlangen, Maximiliansplatz 3; 91054 Erlangen Germany
| | - Andreas K. Bitz
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280; 69120 Heidelberg Germany
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology; University of Applied Sciences Aachen, Eupener Str. 70; 52066 Aachen Germany
| | - Florian Maier
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280; 69120 Heidelberg Germany
| | - Peter Bachert
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280; 69120 Heidelberg Germany
- Faculty of Physics and Astronomy; University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 226; 69120 Heidelberg Germany
| | - Mark E. Ladd
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280; 69120 Heidelberg Germany
- Faculty of Physics and Astronomy; University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 226; 69120 Heidelberg Germany
- Faculty of Medicine; University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 672; 69120 Heidelberg Germany
| | - Mark O. Wielpütz
- Translational Lung Research Center (TLRC); University of Heidelberg, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Im Neuenheimer Feld 430; 69120 Heidelberg Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology; University Hospital of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110; 69120 Heidelberg Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology with Nuclear Medicine; Thoraxklinik at University of Heidelberg, Röntgenstr. 1; 69126 Heidelberg Germany
| | - Hans-Ulrich Kauczor
- Translational Lung Research Center (TLRC); University of Heidelberg, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Im Neuenheimer Feld 430; 69120 Heidelberg Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology; University Hospital of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110; 69120 Heidelberg Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology with Nuclear Medicine; Thoraxklinik at University of Heidelberg, Röntgenstr. 1; 69126 Heidelberg Germany
| | - Nicolas G.R. Behl
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280; 69120 Heidelberg Germany
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