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Qiu L, Zhao Z, Bao L. SIPAS: A comprehensive susceptibility imaging process and analysis studio. Neuroimage 2024; 297:120697. [PMID: 38908725 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120697] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is a rising MRI-based technology and quite a few QSM-related algorithms have been proposed to reconstruct maps of tissue susceptibility distribution from phase images. In this paper, we develop a comprehensive susceptibility imaging process and analysis studio (SIPAS) that can accomplish reliable QSM processing and offer a standardized evaluation system. Specifically, SIPAS integrates multiple methods for each step, enabling users to select algorithm combinations according to data conditions, and QSM maps could be evaluated by two aspects, including image quality indicators within all voxels and region-of-interest (ROI) analysis. Through a sophisticated design of user-friendly interfaces, the results of each procedure are able to be exhibited in axial, coronal, and sagittal views in real-time, meanwhile ROIs can be displayed in 3D rendering visualization. The accuracy and compatibility of SIPAS are demonstrated by experiments on multiple in vivo human brain datasets acquired from 3T, 5T, and 7T MRI scanners of different manufacturers. We also validate the QSM maps obtained by various algorithm combinations in SIPAS, among which the combination of iRSHARP and SFCR achieves the best results on its evaluation system. SIPAS is a comprehensive, sophisticated, and reliable toolkit that may prompt the QSM application in scientific research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lichu Qiu
- Department of Electronic Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 36100, China
| | - Zijun Zhao
- Department of Electronic Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 36100, China
| | - Lijun Bao
- Department of Electronic Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 36100, China.
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Hervouin A, Bézy-Wendling J, Noury F. How to accurately quantify brain magnetic susceptibility in the context of Parkinson's disease: Validation on phantoms and healthy volunteers at 1.5 and 3 T. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2024:e5182. [PMID: 38993048 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.5182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Currently, brain iron content represents a new neuromarker for understanding the physiopathological mechanisms leading to Parkinson's disease (PD). In vivo quantification of biological iron is possible by reconstructing magnetic susceptibility maps obtained using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). Applying QSM is challenging, as up to now, no standardization of acquisition protocols and phase image processing has emerged from referenced studies. Our objectives were to compare the accuracy and the sensitivity of 10 QSM pipelines built from algorithms from the literature, applied on phantoms data and on brain data. Two phantoms, with known magnetic susceptibility ranges, were created from several solutions of gadolinium chelate. Twenty healthy volunteers from two age groups were included. Phantoms and brain data were acquired at 1.5 and 3 T, respectively. Susceptibility-weighted images were obtained using a 3D multigradient-recalled-echo sequence. For brain data, 3D anatomical T1- and T2-weighted images were also acquired to segment the deep gray nuclei of interest. Concerning in vitro data, the linear dependence of magnetic susceptibility versus gadolinium concentration and deviations from the theoretically expected values were calculated. For brain data, the accuracy and sensitivity of the QSM pipelines were evaluated in comparison with results from the literature and regarding the expected magnetic susceptibility increase with age, respectively. A nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare the magnetic susceptibility quantification in deep gray nuclei between the two age groups. Our methodology enabled quantifying magnetic susceptibility in human brain and the results were consistent with those from the literature. Statistically significant differences were obtained between the two age groups in all cerebral regions of interest. Our results show the importance of optimizing QSM pipelines according to the application and the targeted magnetic susceptibility range, to achieve accurate quantification. We were able to define the optimal QSM pipeline for future applications on patients with PD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fanny Noury
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, LTSI-UMR 1099, Rennes, France
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Martinez JA, Yu VY, Tringale KR, Otazo R, Cohen O. Phase-sensitive deep reconstruction method for rapid multiparametric MR fingerprinting and quantitative susceptibility mapping in the brain. Magn Reson Imaging 2024; 109:147-157. [PMID: 38513790 PMCID: PMC11042874 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2024.03.023] [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: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study explores the potential of Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting (MRF) with a novel Phase-Sensitivity Deep Reconstruction Network (PS-DRONE) for simultaneous quantification of T1, T2, Proton Density, B1+, phase and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). METHODS Data were acquired at 3 T in vitro and in vivo using an optimized EPI-based MRF sequence. Phantom experiments were conducted using a standardized phantom for T1 and T2 maps and a custom-made agar-based gadolinium phantom for B1 and QSM maps. In vivo experiments included five healthy volunteers and one patient diagnosed with brain metastasis. PSDRONE maps were compared to reference maps obtained through standard imaging sequences. RESULTS Total scan time was 2 min for 32 slices and a resolution of [1 mm, 1 mm, 4.5 mm]. The reconstruction of T1, T2, Proton Density, B1+ and phase maps were reconstructed within 1 s. In the phantoms, PS-DRONE analysis presented accurate and strongly correlated T1 and T2 maps (r = 0.99) compared to the reference maps. B1 maps from PS-DRONE showed slightly higher values, though still correlated (r = 0.6) with the reference. QSM values showed a small bias but were strongly correlated (r = 0.99) with reference data. In the in vivo analysis, PS-DRONE-derived T1 and T2 values for gray and white matter matched reference values in healthy volunteers. PS-DRONE B1 and QSM maps showed strong correlations with reference values. CONCLUSION The PS-DRONE network enables concurrent acquisition of T1, T2, PD, B1+, phase and QSM maps, within 2 min of acquisition time and 1 s of reconstruction time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Martinez
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York 10065, NY, USA.
| | - Victoria Y Yu
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York 10065, NY, USA
| | - Kathryn R Tringale
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York 10065, NY, USA
| | - Ricardo Otazo
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York 10065, NY, USA
| | - Ouri Cohen
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York 10065, NY, USA
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Bilgic B, Costagli M, Chan KS, Duyn J, Langkammer C, Lee J, Li X, Liu C, Marques JP, Milovic C, Robinson SD, Schweser F, Shmueli K, Spincemaille P, Straub S, van Zijl P, Wang Y. Recommended implementation of quantitative susceptibility mapping for clinical research in the brain: A consensus of the ISMRM electro-magnetic tissue properties study group. Magn Reson Med 2024; 91:1834-1862. [PMID: 38247051 PMCID: PMC10950544 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.30006] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
This article provides recommendations for implementing QSM for clinical brain research. It is a consensus of the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Electro-Magnetic Tissue Properties Study Group. While QSM technical development continues to advance rapidly, the current QSM methods have been demonstrated to be repeatable and reproducible for generating quantitative tissue magnetic susceptibility maps in the brain. However, the many QSM approaches available have generated a need in the neuroimaging community for guidelines on implementation. This article outlines considerations and implementation recommendations for QSM data acquisition, processing, analysis, and publication. We recommend that data be acquired using a monopolar 3D multi-echo gradient echo (GRE) sequence and that phase images be saved and exported in Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format and unwrapped using an exact unwrapping approach. Multi-echo images should be combined before background field removal, and a brain mask created using a brain extraction tool with the incorporation of phase-quality-based masking. Background fields within the brain mask should be removed using a technique based on SHARP or PDF, and the optimization approach to dipole inversion should be employed with a sparsity-based regularization. Susceptibility values should be measured relative to a specified reference, including the common reference region of the whole brain as a region of interest in the analysis. The minimum acquisition and processing details required when reporting QSM results are also provided. These recommendations should facilitate clinical QSM research and promote harmonized data acquisition, analysis, and reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berkin Bilgic
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mauro Costagli
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- Laboratory of Medical Physics and Magnetic Resonance, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Kwok-Shing Chan
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jeff Duyn
- Advanced MRI Section, NINDS, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Jongho Lee
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Xu Li
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Chunlei Liu
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - José P Marques
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Carlos Milovic
- School of Electrical Engineering (EIE), Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso, Valparaiso, Chile
| | - Simon Daniel Robinson
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Centre of Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ferdinand Schweser
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, Department of Neurology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Clinical and Translational Science Institute at the University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Karin Shmueli
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Pascal Spincemaille
- MRI Research Institute, Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sina Straub
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Peter van Zijl
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Yi Wang
- MRI Research Institute, Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, New York, New York, USA
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de Alba Alvarez I, Arbabi A, Khlebnikov V, Marques JP, Norris DG. Single-shot frequency offset measurement with HASTE using the selective parity approach. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9949. [PMID: 38688948 PMCID: PMC11061157 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60275-4] [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: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Measurements of frequency offset are commonly required in MRI. The standard method measures the signal phase as a function of evolution time. Here we use a single shot turbo-spin-echo acquisition method to measure frequency offset at a single evolution time. After excitation the transverse magnetisation evolves during the evolution time, and is then repeatedly refocused. The phase is conjugated between alternate echoes. Using partial parallel acquisition techniques we obtain separate odd- and even- echo images. An iterative procedure ensures self-consistency between them. The difference in phase between the two images yields frequency offset maps. The technique was implemented at 3 Tesla and tested on a healthy human volunteer for a range of evolution times between 6 and 42 ms. A standard method using a similar readout train and multiple evolution times was used as a gold-standard measure. In a statistical comparison with the gold standard no evidence for bias or offset was found. There was no systematic variation in precision or accuracy as a function of evolution time. We conclude that the presented approach represents a viable method for the rapid generation of frequency offset maps with a high image quality and minimal distortion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina de Alba Alvarez
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Multi-Modality Medical Imaging (M3I), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
| | - Aidin Arbabi
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Vitaliy Khlebnikov
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - José P Marques
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - David G Norris
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance Imaging UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Zollverein, Kokereiallee 7, Building C84, 45141, Essen, Germany.
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology (CNPH), Faculty Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.
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Kurian D, Hagberg GE, Scheffler K, Paul JS. A predictor-corrector phase unwrapping algorithm for temporally undersampled gradient-echo MRI. Magn Reson Med 2024; 91:1707-1722. [PMID: 38084410 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29964] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop a method for unwrapping temporally undersampled and nonlinear gradient recalled echo (GRE) phase. THEORY AND METHODS Temporal unwrapping is performed as a sequential one step prediction of the echo phase, followed by a correction to the nearest integer wrap-count. A spatio-temporal extension of the 1D predictor corrector unwrapping (PCU) algorithm improves the prediction accuracy, and thereby maintains spatial continuity. The proposed method is evaluated using numerical phantom, physical phantom, and in vivo brain data at both 3 T and 9.4 T. The unwrapping performance is compared with the state-of-the-art temporal and spatial unwrapping algorithms, and the spatio-temporal iterative virtual-echo based Nyquist sampled (iVENyS) algorithm. RESULTS Simulation results showed significant reduction in unwrapping errors at higher echoes compared with the state-of-the-art algorithms. Similar to the iVENyS algorithm, the PCU algorithm was able to generate spatially smooth phase images for in vivo data acquired at 3 T and 9.4 T, bypassing the use of additional spatial unwrapping step. A key advantage over iVENyS algorithm is the superior performance of PCU algorithm at higher echoes. CONCLUSION PCU algorithm serves as a robust phase unwrapping method for temporally undersampled and nonlinear GRE phase, particularly in the presence of high field gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepu Kurian
- School of Electronic Systems & Automation, Digital University Kerala, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
| | - Gisela E Hagberg
- High Field Magnetic Resonance, Max-Planck-Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, Department of Radiology, Eberhard Karl's University and University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Klaus Scheffler
- High Field Magnetic Resonance, Max-Planck-Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, Department of Radiology, Eberhard Karl's University and University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Joseph Suresh Paul
- School of Electronic Systems & Automation, Digital University Kerala, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
- School of Informatics, Digital University Kerala, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
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Guan X, Lancione M, Ayton S, Dusek P, Langkammer C, Zhang M. Neuroimaging of Parkinson's disease by quantitative susceptibility mapping. Neuroimage 2024; 289:120547. [PMID: 38373677 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120547] [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: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease, and apart from a few rare genetic causes, its pathogenesis remains largely unclear. Recent scientific interest has been captured by the involvement of iron biochemistry and the disruption of iron homeostasis, particularly within the brain regions specifically affected in PD. The advent of Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) has enabled non-invasive quantification of brain iron in vivo by MRI, which has contributed to the understanding of iron-associated pathogenesis and has the potential for the development of iron-based biomarkers in PD. This review elucidates the biochemical underpinnings of brain iron accumulation, details advancements in iron-sensitive MRI technologies, and discusses the role of QSM as a biomarker of iron deposition in PD. Despite considerable progress, several challenges impede its clinical application after a decade of QSM studies. The initiation of multi-site research is warranted for developing robust, interpretable, and disease-specific biomarkers for monitoring PD disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Guan
- Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Joint Laboratory of Clinical Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No.88 Jiefang Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou 31009, China
| | - Marta Lancione
- Laboratory of Medical Physics and Magnetic Resonance, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Scott Ayton
- Florey Institute, The University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Petr Dusek
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czechia; Department of Radiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Auenbruggerplatz 22, Prague 8036, Czechia
| | | | - Minming Zhang
- Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Joint Laboratory of Clinical Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No.88 Jiefang Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou 31009, China.
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Sandgaard AD, Kiselev VG, Henriques RN, Shemesh N, Jespersen SN. Incorporating the effect of white matter microstructure in the estimation of magnetic susceptibility in ex vivo mouse brain. Magn Reson Med 2024; 91:699-715. [PMID: 37772624 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To extend quantitative susceptibility mapping to account for microstructure of white matter (WM) and demonstrate its effect on ex vivo mouse brain at 16.4T. THEORY AND METHODS Previous studies have shown that the MRI measured Larmor frequency also depends on local magnetic microstructure at the mesoscopic scale. Here, we include effects from WM microstructure using our previous results for the mesoscopic Larmor frequencyΩ ‾ Meso $$ {\overline{\Omega}}^{\mathrm{Meso}} $$ of cylinders with arbitrary orientations. We scrutinize the validity of our model and QSM in a digital brain phantom includingΩ ‾ Meso $$ {\overline{\Omega}}^{\mathrm{Meso}} $$ from a WM susceptibility tensor and biologically stored iron with scalar susceptibility. We also apply susceptibility tensor imaging to the phantom and investigate how the fitted tensors are biased fromΩ ‾ Meso $$ {\overline{\Omega}}^{\mathrm{Meso}} $$ . Last, we demonstrate how to combine multi-gradient echo and diffusion MRI images of ex vivo mouse brains acquired at 16.4T to estimate an apparent scalar susceptibility without sample rotations. RESULTS Our new model improves susceptibility estimation compared to QSM for the brain phantom. Applying susceptibility tensor imaging to the phantom withΩ ‾ Meso $$ {\overline{\Omega}}^{\mathrm{Meso}} $$ from WM axons with scalar susceptibility produces a highly anisotropic susceptibility tensor that mimics results from previous susceptibility tensor imaging studies. For the ex vivo mouse brain we find theΩ ‾ Meso $$ {\overline{\Omega}}^{\mathrm{Meso}} $$ due to WM microstructure to be substantial, changing susceptibility in WM up to 25% root-mean-squared-difference. CONCLUSION Ω ‾ Meso $$ {\overline{\Omega}}^{\mathrm{Meso}} $$ impacts susceptibility estimates and biases susceptibility tensor imaging fitting substantially. Hence, it should not be neglected when imaging structurally anisotropic tissue such as brain WM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Dyhr Sandgaard
- Center for Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Valerij G Kiselev
- Division of Medical Physics, Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Noam Shemesh
- Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sune Nørhøj Jespersen
- Center for Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Cheng J, Song M, Xu Z, Zheng Q, Zhu L, Chen W, Feng Y, Bao J, Cheng J. A new 3D phase unwrapping method by region partitioning and local polynomial modeling in abdominal quantitative susceptibility mapping. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1287788. [PMID: 38033538 PMCID: PMC10684715 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1287788] [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: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Accurate phase unwrapping is a critical prerequisite for successful applications in phase-related MRI, including quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and susceptibility weighted imaging. However, many existing 3D phase unwrapping algorithms face challenges in the presence of severe noise, rapidly changing phase, and open-end cutline. Methods In this study, we introduce a novel 3D phase unwrapping approach utilizing region partitioning and a local polynomial model. Initially, the method leverages phase partitioning to create initial regions. Noisy voxels connecting areas within these regions are excluded and grouped into residual voxels. The connected regions within the region of interest are then reidentified and categorized into blocks and residual voxels based on voxel count thresholds. Subsequently, the method sequentially performs inter-block and residual voxel phase unwrapping using the local polynomial model. The proposed method was evaluated on simulation and in vivo abdominal QSM data, and was compared with the classical Region-growing, Laplacian_based, Graph-cut, and PRELUDE methods. Results Simulation experiments, conducted under different signal-to-noise ratios and phase change levels, consistently demonstrate that the proposed method achieves accurate unwrapping results, with mean error ratios not exceeding 0.01%. In contrast, the error ratios of Region-growing (N/A, 84.47%), Laplacian_based (20.65%, N/A), Graph-cut (2.26%, 20.71%), and PRELUDE (4.28%, 10.33%) methods are all substantially higher than those of the proposed method. In vivo abdominal QSM experiments further confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method in unwrapping phase data and successfully reconstructing susceptibility maps, even in scenarios with significant noise, rapidly changing phase, and open-end cutline in a large field of view. Conclusion The proposed method demonstrates robust and accurate phase unwrapping capabilities, positioning it as a promising option for abdominal QSM applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junying Cheng
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Manli Song
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhongbiao Xu
- Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian Zheng
- College of Software Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Li Zhu
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wufan Chen
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Image Processing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanqiu Feng
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Image Processing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianfeng Bao
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jingliang Cheng
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Li H, Jacob MA, Cai M, Duering M, Chamberland M, Norris DG, Kessels RPC, de Leeuw FE, Marques JP, Tuladhar AM. Regional cortical thinning, demyelination and iron loss in cerebral small vessel disease. Brain 2023; 146:4659-4673. [PMID: 37366338 PMCID: PMC10629800 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The link between white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and cortical thinning is thought to be an important pathway by which WMH contributes to cognitive deficits in cerebral small vessel disease (SVD). However, the mechanism behind this association and the underlying tissue composition abnormalities are unclear. The objective of this study is to determine the association between WMH and cortical thickness, and the in vivo tissue composition abnormalities in the WMH-connected cortical regions. In this cross-sectional study, we included 213 participants with SVD who underwent standardized protocol including multimodal neuroimaging scans and cognitive assessment (i.e. processing speed, executive function and memory). We identified the cortex connected to WMH using probabilistic tractography starting from the WMH and defined the WMH-connected regions at three connectivity levels (low, medium and high connectivity level). We calculated the cortical thickness, myelin and iron of the cortex based on T1-weighted, quantitative R1, R2* and susceptibility maps. We used diffusion-weighted imaging to estimate the mean diffusivity of the connecting white matter tracts. We found that cortical thickness, R1, R2* and susceptibility values in the WMH-connected regions were significantly lower than in the WMH-unconnected regions (all Pcorrected < 0.001). Linear regression analyses showed that higher mean diffusivity of the connecting white matter tracts were related to lower thickness (β = -0.30, Pcorrected < 0.001), lower R1 (β = -0.26, Pcorrected = 0.001), lower R2* (β = -0.32, Pcorrected < 0.001) and lower susceptibility values (β = -0.39, Pcorrected < 0.001) of WMH-connected cortical regions at high connectivity level. In addition, lower scores on processing speed were significantly related to lower cortical thickness (β = 0.20, Pcorrected = 0.030), lower R1 values (β = 0.20, Pcorrected = 0.006), lower R2* values (β = 0.29, Pcorrected = 0.006) and lower susceptibility values (β = 0.19, Pcorrected = 0.024) of the WMH-connected regions at high connectivity level, independent of WMH volumes and the cortical measures of WMH-unconnected regions. Together, our study demonstrated that the microstructural integrity of white matter tracts passing through WMH is related to the regional cortical abnormalities as measured by thickness, R1, R2* and susceptibility values in the connected cortical regions. These findings are indicative of cortical thinning, demyelination and iron loss in the cortex, which is most likely through the disruption of the connecting white matter tracts and may contribute to processing speed impairment in SVD, a key clinical feature of SVD. These findings may have implications for finding intervention targets for the treatment of cognitive impairment in SVD by preventing secondary degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- Department of Neurology, Donders Center for Medical Neurosciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mina A Jacob
- Department of Neurology, Donders Center for Medical Neurosciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mengfei Cai
- Department of Neurology, Donders Center for Medical Neurosciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Guangdong Neuroscience Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 510080 Guangzhou, China
| | - Marco Duering
- Medical Image Analysis Center (MIAC AG) and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
- LMU Munich, University Hospital, Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Maxime Chamberland
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Center for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - David G Norris
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Center for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Roy P C Kessels
- Department of Medical Psychology and Radboudumc Alzheimer Center, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Vincent van Gogh Institute for Psychiatry, 5803 AC Venray, The Netherlands
| | - Frank-Erik de Leeuw
- Department of Neurology, Donders Center for Medical Neurosciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - José P Marques
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Center for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anil M Tuladhar
- Department of Neurology, Donders Center for Medical Neurosciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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11
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Peng H, Cheng C, Wan Q, Liang D, Liu X, Zheng H, Zou C. Reducing the ambiguity of field inhomogeneity and chemical shift effect for fat-water separation by field factor. Magn Reson Med 2023; 90:1830-1843. [PMID: 37379480 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29774] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To reduce the ambiguity between chemical shift and field inhomogeneity with flexible TE combinations by introducing a variable (field factor). THEORY AND METHODS The ambiguity between chemical shift and field inhomogeneity can be eliminated directly from the multiple in-phase images acquired at different TEs; however, it is only applicable to few echo combinations. In this study, we accommodated such an implementation in flexible TE combinations by introducing a new variable (field factor). The effects of the chemical shift were removed from the field inhomogeneity in the candidate solutions, thus reducing the ambiguity problem. To validate this concept, multi-echo MRI data acquired from various anatomies with different imaging parameters were tested. The derived fat and water images were compared with those of the state-of-the-art fat-water separation algorithms. RESULTS Robust fat-water separation was achieved with the accurate solution of field inhomogeneity, and no apparent fat-water swap was observed. In addition to the good performance, the proposed method is applicable to various fat-water separation applications, including different sequence types and flexible TE choices. CONCLUSION We propose an algorithm to reduce the ambiguity of chemical shift and field inhomogeneity and achieved robust fat-water separation in various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Peng
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advance Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chuanli Cheng
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advance Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory for Magnetic Resonance and Multimodality Imaging of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen Institutes of Advance Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qian Wan
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advance Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dong Liang
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advance Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory for Magnetic Resonance and Multimodality Imaging of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen Institutes of Advance Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advance Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory for Magnetic Resonance and Multimodality Imaging of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen Institutes of Advance Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hairong Zheng
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advance Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao Zou
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advance Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Key Laboratory for Magnetic Resonance and Multimodality Imaging of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen Institutes of Advance Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
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12
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Kiersnowski OC, Karsa A, Wastling SJ, Thornton JS, Shmueli K. Investigating the effect of oblique image acquisition on the accuracy of QSM and a robust tilt correction method. Magn Reson Med 2023; 89:1791-1808. [PMID: 36480002 PMCID: PMC10953050 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29550] [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: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is used increasingly for clinical research where oblique image acquisition is commonplace, but its effects on QSM accuracy are not well understood. THEORY AND METHODS The QSM processing pipeline involves defining the unit magnetic dipole kernel, which requires knowledge of the direction of the main magnetic fieldB ^ 0 $$ {\hat{\boldsymbol{B}}}_{\mathbf{0}} $$ with respect to the acquired image volume axes. The direction ofB ^ 0 $$ {\hat{\boldsymbol{B}}}_{\mathbf{0}} $$ is dependent on the axis and angle of rotation in oblique acquisition. Using both a numerical brain phantom and in vivo acquisitions in 5 healthy volunteers, we analyzed the effects of oblique acquisition on magnetic susceptibility maps. We compared three tilt-correction schemes at each step in the QSM pipeline: phase unwrapping, background field removal and susceptibility calculation, using the RMS error and QSM-tuned structural similarity index. RESULTS Rotation of wrapped phase images gave severe artifacts. Background field removal with projection onto dipole fields gave the most accurate susceptibilities when the field map was first rotated into alignment withB ^ 0 $$ {\hat{\boldsymbol{B}}}_{\mathbf{0}} $$ . Laplacian boundary value and variable-kernel sophisticated harmonic artifact reduction for phase data background field removal methods gave accurate results without tilt correction. For susceptibility calculation, thresholded k-space division, iterative Tikhonov regularization, and weighted linear total variation regularization, all performed most accurately when local field maps were rotated into alignment withB ^ 0 $$ {\hat{\boldsymbol{B}}}_{\mathbf{0}} $$ before susceptibility calculation. CONCLUSION For accurate QSM, oblique acquisition must be taken into account. Rotation of images into alignment withB ^ 0 $$ {\hat{\boldsymbol{B}}}_{\mathbf{0}} $$ should be carried out after phase unwrapping and before background-field removal. We provide open-source tilt-correction code to incorporate easily into existing pipelines: https://github.com/o-snow/QSM_TiltCorrection.git.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver C. Kiersnowski
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Anita Karsa
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Stephen J. Wastling
- Neuroradiological Academic UnitUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUnited Kingdom
- Lysholm Department of NeuroradiologyNational Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - John S. Thornton
- Neuroradiological Academic UnitUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUnited Kingdom
- Lysholm Department of NeuroradiologyNational Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Karin Shmueli
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
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13
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Gustavo Cuña E, Schulz H, Tuzzi E, Biagi L, Bosco P, García-Fontes M, Mattos J, Tosetti M, Engelmann J, Scheffler K, Hagberg GE. Simulated and experimental phantom data for multi-center quality assurance of quantitative susceptibility maps at 3 T, 7 T and 9.4 T. Phys Med 2023; 110:102590. [PMID: 37116389 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2023.102590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop methods for quality assurance of quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) using MRI at different magnetic field strengths, and scanners, using different MR-sequence protocols, and post-processing pipelines. METHODS We built a custom phantom based on iron in two forms: homogeneous susceptibility ('free iron') and with fine-scaled variations in susceptibility ('clustered iron') at different iron concentrations. The phantom was measured at 3.0 T (two scanners), 7.0 T and 9.4 T using multi-echo, gradient echo acquisition sequences. A digital phantom analogue to the iron-phantom, tailored to obtain similar results as in experimentation was developed, with similar geometry and susceptibility values. Morphology enabled dipole inversion was applied to the phase images to obtain QSM for experimental and simulated data using the MEDI + 0 approach for background regularization. RESULTS Across all scanners, QSM-values showed a linear increase with iron concentrations. The QSM-relaxivity was 0.231 ± 0.047 ppm/mM for free and 0.054 ± 0.013 ppm/mM for clustered iron, with adjusted determination coefficients (DoC) ≥ 0.87. Similarly, the simulations yielded linear increases (DoC ≥ 0.99). In both the experimental and digital phantoms, the estimated molar susceptibility was lower with clustered iron, because clustering led to highly localized field effects. CONCLUSION Our iron phantom can be used to evaluate the capability of QSM to detect local variations in susceptibility across different field strengths, when using different MR-sequence protocols. The devised simulation method captures the effect of iron clustering in QSM as seen experimentally and could be used in the future to optimize QSM processing pipelines and achieve higher accuracy for local field effects, as also seen in Alzheimer's beta-amyloid plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Gustavo Cuña
- Medical Physics, Centro Uruguayo de Imagenología Molecular, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Hildegard Schulz
- High Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Elisa Tuzzi
- High Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Javier Mattos
- Centro Uruguayo de Imagenología Molecular, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Jörn Engelmann
- High Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Klaus Scheffler
- High Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany; Department for Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gisela E Hagberg
- High Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany; Department for Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, University Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
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14
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Xu X, Zhou M, Wu X, Zhao F, Luo X, Li K, Zeng Q, He J, Cheng H, Guan X, Huang P, Zhang M, Liu K. Increased iron deposition in nucleus accumbens associated with disease progression and chronicity in migraine. BMC Med 2023; 21:136. [PMID: 37024948 PMCID: PMC10080952 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-02855-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Migraine is one of the world's most prevalent and disabling diseases. Despite huge advances in neuroimaging research, more valuable neuroimaging markers are still urgently needed to provide important insights into the brain mechanisms that underlie migraine symptoms. We therefore aim to investigate the regional iron deposition in subcortical nuclei of migraineurs as compared to controls and its association with migraine-related pathophysiological assessments. METHODS A total of 200 migraineurs (56 chronic migraine [CM], 144 episodic migraine [EM]) and 41 matched controls were recruited. All subjects underwent MRI and clinical variables including frequency/duration of migraine, intensity of migraine, 6-item Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were recorded. Quantitative susceptibility mapping was employed to quantify the regional iron content in subcortical regions. Associations between clinical variables and regional iron deposition were studied as well. RESULTS Increased iron deposition in the putamen, caudate, and nucleus accumbens (NAC) was observed in migraineurs more than controls. Meanwhile, patients with CM had a significantly higher volume of iron deposits compared to EM in multiple subcortical nuclei, especially in NAC. Volume of iron in NAC can be used to distinguish patients with CM from EM with a sensitivity of 85.45% and specificity of 71.53%. As the most valuable neuroimaging markers in all of the subcortical nuclei, higher iron deposition in NAC was significantly associated with disease progression, and higher HIT-6, MIDAS, and PSQI. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide evidence that iron deposition in NAC may be a biomarker for migraine chronicity and migraine-related dysfunctions, thus may help to understand the underlying vascular and neural mechanisms of migraine. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT04939922.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopei Xu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengting Zhou
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiao Wu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fangling Zhao
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kaicheng Li
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qingze Zeng
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiahui He
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongrong Cheng
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaojun Guan
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Peiyu Huang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Minming Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Kaiming Liu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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15
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Cao J, Ball I, Humburg P, Dokos S, Rae C. Repeatability of brain phase-based magnetic resonance electric properties tomography methods and effect of compressed SENSE and RF shimming. Phys Eng Sci Med 2023; 46:753-766. [PMID: 36995580 DOI: 10.1007/s13246-023-01248-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance electrical properties tomography (MREPT) is an emerging imaging modality to noninvasively measure tissue conductivity and permittivity. Implementation of MREPT in the clinic requires repeatable measurements at a short scan time and an appropriate protocol. The aim of this study was to investigate the repeatability of conductivity measurements using phase-based MREPT and the effects of compressed SENSE (CS), and RF shimming on the precision of conductivity measurements. Conductivity measurements using turbo spin echo (TSE) and three-dimensional balanced fast field echo (bFFE) with CS factors were repeatable. Conductivity measurement using bFFE phase showed smaller mean and variance that those measured by TSE. The conductivity measurements using bFFE showed minimal deviation with CS factors up to 8, with deviation increasing at CS factors > 8. Subcortical structures produced less consistent measurements than cortical parcellations at higher CS factors. RF shimming using full slice coverage 2D dual refocusing echo acquisition mode (DREAM) and full coverage 3D dual TR approaches further improved measurement precision. BFFE is a more optimal sequence than TSE for phase-based MREPT in brain. Depending on the area of the brain being measured, the scan can be safely accelerated with compressed SENSE without sacrifice of precision, offering the potential to employ MREPT in clinical research and applications. RF shimming with better field mapping further improves precision of the conductivity measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Cao
- Neuroscience Research Australia, 139 Barker St, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Iain Ball
- Philips Australia & New Zealand, North Ryde, NSW, 2113, Australia
| | - Peter Humburg
- Neuroscience Research Australia, 139 Barker St, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
- Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, Stats Central, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Socrates Dokos
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Caroline Rae
- Neuroscience Research Australia, 139 Barker St, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia.
- School of Psychology, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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16
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Lee S, Shin HG, Kim M, Lee J. Depth-wise profiles of iron and myelin in the cortex and white matter using χ-separation: A preliminary study. Neuroimage 2023; 273:120058. [PMID: 36997135 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The in-vivo profiling of iron and myelin across cortical depths and underlying white matter has important implications for advancing knowledge about their roles in brain development and degeneration. Here, we utilize χ-separation, a recently-proposed advanced susceptibility mapping that creates positive (χpos) and negative (χneg) susceptibility maps, to generate the depth-wise profiles of χpos and χneg as surrogate biomarkers for iron and myelin, respectively. Two regional sulcal fundi of precentral and middle frontal areas are profiled and compared with findings from previous studies. The results show that the χpos profiles peak at superificial white matter (SWM), which is an area beneath cortical gray matter known to have the highest accumulation of iron within the cortex and white matter. On the other hand, the χneg profiles increase in SWM toward deeper white matter. These characteristics in the two profiles are in agreement with histological findings of iron and myelin. Furthermore, the χneg profiles report regional differences that agree with well-known distributions of myelin concentration. When the two profiles are compared with those of QSM and R2*, different shapes and peak locations are observed. This preliminary study offers an insight into one of the possible applications of χ-separation for exploring microstructural information of the human brain, as well as clinical applications in monitoring changes of iron and myelin in related diseases.
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17
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Barbieri M, Chaudhari AS, Moran CJ, Gold GE, Hargreaves BA, Kogan F. A method for measuring B 0 field inhomogeneity using quantitative double-echo in steady-state. Magn Reson Med 2023; 89:577-593. [PMID: 36161727 PMCID: PMC9712261 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop and validate a method forB 0 $$ {B}_0 $$ mapping for knee imaging using the quantitative Double-Echo in Steady-State (qDESS) exploiting the phase difference (Δ θ $$ \Delta \theta $$ ) between the two echoes acquired. Contrary to a two-gradient-echo (2-GRE) method,Δ θ $$ \Delta \theta $$ depends only on the first echo time. METHODS Bloch simulations were applied to investigate robustness to noise of the proposed methodology and all imaging studies were validated with phantoms and in vivo simultaneous bilateral knee acquisitions. Two phantoms and five healthy subjects were scanned using qDESS, water saturation shift referencing (WASSR), and multi-GRE sequences.Δ B 0 $$ \Delta {B}_0 $$ maps were calculated with the qDESS and the 2-GRE methods and compared against those obtained with WASSR. The comparison was quantitatively assessed exploiting pixel-wise difference maps, Bland-Altman (BA) analysis, and Lin's concordance coefficient (ρ c $$ {\rho}_c $$ ). For in vivo subjects, the comparison was assessed in cartilage using average values in six subregions. RESULTS The proposed method for measuringΔ B 0 $$ \Delta {B}_0 $$ inhomogeneities from a qDESS acquisition providedΔ B 0 $$ \Delta {B}_0 $$ maps that were in good agreement with those obtained using WASSR.Δ B 0 $$ \Delta {B}_0 $$ ρ c $$ {\rho}_c $$ values were≥ $$ \ge $$ 0.98 and 0.90 in phantoms and in vivo, respectively. The agreement between qDESS and WASSR was comparable to that of a 2-GRE method. CONCLUSION The proposed method may allow B0 correction for qDESST 2 $$ {T}_2 $$ mapping using an inherently co-registeredΔ B 0 $$ \Delta {B}_0 $$ map without requiring an additional B0 measurement sequence. More generally, the method may help shorten knee imaging protocols that require an auxiliaryΔ B 0 $$ \Delta {B}_0 $$ map by exploiting a qDESS acquisition that also providesT 2 $$ {T}_2 $$ measurements and high-quality morphological imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Barbieri
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
| | - Akshay S. Chaudhari
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
| | | | - Garry E. Gold
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
| | - Brian A. Hargreaves
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
| | - Feliks Kogan
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, U.S.A
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18
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Bancelin D, Bachrata B, Bollmann S, de Lima Cardoso P, Szomolanyi P, Trattnig S, Robinson SD. Unsupervised physiological noise correction of functional magnetic resonance imaging data using phase and magnitude information (PREPAIR). Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 44:1209-1226. [PMID: 36401844 PMCID: PMC9875918 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Of the sources of noise affecting blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), respiration and cardiac fluctuations are responsible for the largest part of the variance, particularly at high and ultrahigh field. Existing approaches to removing physiological noise either use external recordings, which can be unwieldy and unreliable, or attempt to identify physiological noise from the magnitude fMRI data. Data-driven approaches are limited by sensitivity, temporal aliasing, and the need for user interaction. In the light of the sensitivity of the phase of the MR signal to local changes in the field stemming from physiological processes, we have developed an unsupervised physiological noise correction method using the information carried in the phase and the magnitude of echo-planar imaging data. Our technique, Physiological Regressor Estimation from Phase and mAgnItude, sub-tR (PREPAIR) derives time series signals sampled at the slice TR from both phase and magnitude images. It allows physiological noise to be captured without aliasing, and efficiently removes other sources of signal fluctuations not related to physiology, prior to regressor estimation. We demonstrate that the physiological signal time courses identified with PREPAIR agree well with those from external devices and retrieve challenging cardiac dynamics. The removal of physiological noise was as effective as that achieved with the most used approach based on external recordings, RETROICOR. In comparison with widely used recording-free physiological noise correction tools-PESTICA and FIX, both performed in unsupervised mode-PREPAIR removed significantly more respiratory and cardiac noise than PESTICA, and achieved a larger increase in temporal signal-to-noise-ratio at both 3 and 7 T.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Bancelin
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image‐guided TherapyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Beata Bachrata
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image‐guided TherapyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria,Karl Landsteiner Institute for Clinical Molecular MR in Musculoskeletal ImagingViennaAustria
| | - Saskia Bollmann
- Centre for Advanced ImagingThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Pedro de Lima Cardoso
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image‐guided TherapyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Pavol Szomolanyi
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image‐guided TherapyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria
| | - Siegfried Trattnig
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image‐guided TherapyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria,Karl Landsteiner Institute for Clinical Molecular MR in Musculoskeletal ImagingViennaAustria
| | - Simon Daniel Robinson
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image‐guided TherapyMedical University of ViennaViennaAustria,Karl Landsteiner Institute for Clinical Molecular MR in Musculoskeletal ImagingViennaAustria,Centre for Advanced ImagingThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia,Department of NeurologyMedical University of GrazGrazAustria
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19
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Hagberg GE, Eckstein K, Tuzzi E, Zhou J, Robinson S, Scheffler K. Phase-based masking for quantitative susceptibility mapping of the human brain at 9.4T. Magn Reson Med 2022; 88:2267-2276. [PMID: 35754142 PMCID: PMC7613679 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop improved tissue masks for QSM. METHODS Masks including voxels at the brain surface were automatically generated from the magnitude alone (MM) or combined with test functions from the first (PG) or second (PB) derivative of the sign of the wrapped phase. Phase images at 3T and 9.4T were simulated at different TEs and used to generate a mask, PItoh , with between-voxel phase differences less than π. MM, PG, and PB were compared with PItoh . QSM were generated from 3D multi-echo gradient-echo data acquired at 9.4T (21 subjects aged: 20-56y), and from the QSM2016 challenge 3T data using different masks, unwrapping, background removal, and dipole inversion algorithms. QSM contrast was quantified using age-based iron concentrations. RESULTS Close to air cavities, phase wraps became denser with increasing field and echo time, yielding increased values of the test functions. Compared with PItoh , PB had the highest Dice coefficient, while PG had the lowest and MM the highest percentage of voxels outside PItoh. Artifacts observed in QSM at 9.4T with MM were mitigated by stronger background filters but yielded a reduced QSM contrast. With PB, QSM contrast was greater and artifacts diminished. Similar results were obtained with challenge data, evidencing larger effects of mask close to air cavities. CONCLUSION Automatic, phase-based masking founded on the second derivative of the sign of the wrapped phase, including cortical voxels at the brain surface, was able to mitigate artifacts and restore QSM contrast across cortical and subcortical brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela E. Hagberg
- Department for Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- High Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Korbinian Eckstein
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- High Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Elisa Tuzzi
- Department for Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- High Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jiazheng Zhou
- Department for Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- High Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Simon Robinson
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Klaus Scheffler
- Department for Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- High Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
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20
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Wu Q, Xu GL, Yan FJ. Phase unwrapping algorithm for images with local high-density noise. APPLIED OPTICS 2022; 61:9085-9092. [PMID: 36607037 DOI: 10.1364/ao.472005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Due to undersampling and the local phase with local high-density noise, it is still difficult to develop a robust phase unwrapping algorithm. In order to resolve this issue, here, we propose what we believe to be a novel multiple path-following phase unwrapping (MPIPU) algorithm based on the shearing interference principle to recover the undersampling phase (non-noise). By calculating the unwrapping coefficient k, the phase iteration filling algorithm based on least-squares is developed for the high-density noise region in order to reconstruct the three-dimensional surface topography of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data. The proposed algorithm takes advantage of the MPIPU's ability to fill in the missing phase with fitting data and can successfully suppress the error transfer caused by the blocky noise phase iteration process. Several experiments are conducted using both simulated and actual InSAR image data. The experimental findings show that the proposed method can achieve robust phase unwrapping performance on a phase of local high-density noise.
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21
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Murdoch R, Stotesbury H, Kawadler JM, Saunders DE, Kirkham FJ, Shmueli K. Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and R2 * of silent cerebral infarcts in sickle cell anemia. Front Neurol 2022; 13:1000889. [PMID: 36341122 PMCID: PMC9632444 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1000889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Silent cerebral infarction (SCI) is the most commonly reported radiological abnormality in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) and is associated with future clinical stroke risk. To date, there have been few histological and quantitative MRI studies of SCI and multiple radiological definitions exist. As a result, the tissue characteristics and composition of SCI remain elusive. The objective of this work was therefore to investigate the composition of segmented SCI lesions using quantitative MRI for R2 * and quantitative magnetic susceptibility mapping (QSM). 211 SCI lesions were segmented from 32 participants with SCA and 6 controls. SCI were segmented according to two definitions (FLAIR+/-T1w-based threshold) using a semi-automated pipeline. Magnetic susceptibility (χ) and R2 * maps were calculated from a multi-echo gradient echo sequence and mean SCI values were compared to an equivalent region of interest in normal appearing white matter (NAWM). SCI χ and R2 * were investigated as a function of SCI definition, patient demographics, anatomical location, and cognition. Compared to NAWM, SCI were significantly less diamagnetic (χ = -0.0067 ppm vs. -0.0153 ppm, p < 0.001) and had significantly lower R2 * (16.7 s-1 vs. 19.2 s-1, p < 0.001). SCI definition had a significant effect on the mean SCI χ and R2 * , with lesions becoming significantly less diamagnetic and having significantly lower R2 * after the application of a more stringent T1w-based threshold. SCI-NAWM R2 * decrease was significantly greater in patients with SCA compared with controls (-2.84 s-1 vs. -0.64 s-1, p < 0.0001). No significant association was observed between mean SCI-NAWM χ or R2* differences and subject age, lesion anatomical location, or cognition. The increased χ and decreased R2 * in SCI relative to NAWM observed in both patients and controls is indicative of lower myelin or increased water content within the segmented lesions. The significant SCI-NAWM R2 * differences observed between SCI in patients with SCA and controls suggests there may be differences in tissue composition relative to NAWM in SCI in the two populations. Quantitative MRI techniques such as QSM and R2 * mapping can be used to enhance our understanding of the pathophysiology and composition of SCI in patients with SCA as well as controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell Murdoch
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hanne Stotesbury
- Developmental Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie M. Kawadler
- Developmental Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dawn E. Saunders
- Developmental Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fenella J. Kirkham
- Developmental Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, and Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Karin Shmueli
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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22
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Murdoch R, Stotesbury H, Hales PW, Kawadler JM, Kölbel M, Clark CA, Kirkham FJ, Shmueli K. A Comparison of MRI Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping and TRUST-Based Measures of Brain Venous Oxygen Saturation in Sickle Cell Anaemia. Front Physiol 2022; 13:913443. [PMID: 36105280 PMCID: PMC9465016 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.913443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, interest has grown in the potential for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of venous oxygen saturation (Yv) to improve neurological risk prediction. T2-relaxation-under-spin-tagging (TRUST) is an MRI technique which has revealed changes in Yv in patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA). However, prior studies comparing Yv in patients with SCA relative to healthy controls have reported opposing results depending on whether the calibration model, developed to convert blood T2 to Yv, is based on healthy human hemoglobin (HbA), bovine hemoglobin (HbBV) or sickle hemoglobin (HbS). MRI Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) is an alternative technique that may hold promise for estimating Yv in SCA as blood magnetic susceptibility is linearly dependent upon Yv, and no significant difference has been found between the magnetic susceptibility of HbA and HbS. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare estimates of Yv using QSM and TRUST with five published calibration models in healthy controls and patients with SCA. 17 patients with SCA and 13 healthy controls underwent MRI. Susceptibility maps were calculated from a multi-parametric mapping acquisition and Yv was calculated from the mean susceptibility in a region of interest in the superior sagittal sinus. TRUST estimates of T2, within a similar but much smaller region, were converted to Yv using five different calibration models. Correlation and Bland-Altman analyses were performed to compare estimates of Yv between TRUST and QSM methods. For each method, t-tests were also used to explore group-wise differences between patients with SCA and healthy controls. In healthy controls, significant correlations were observed between QSM and TRUST measures of Yv, while in SCA, there were no such correlations. The magnitude and direction of group-wise differences in Yv varied with method. The TRUST-HbBV and QSM methods suggested decreased Yv in SCA relative to healthy controls, while the TRUST-HbS (p < 0.01) and TRUST-HbA models suggested increased Yv in SCA as in previous studies. Further validation of all MRI measures of Yv, relative to ground truth measures such as O15 PET and jugular vein catheterization, is required in SCA before QSM or TRUST methods can be considered for neurological risk prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell Murdoch
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hanne Stotesbury
- Developmental Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick W. Hales
- Developmental Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie M. Kawadler
- Developmental Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Melanie Kölbel
- Developmental Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher A. Clark
- Developmental Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fenella J. Kirkham
- Developmental Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Karin Shmueli
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Karin Shmueli,
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23
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Uchida Y, Kan H, Sakurai K, Oishi K, Matsukawa N. Quantitative susceptibility mapping as an imaging biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease: The expectations and limitations. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:938092. [PMID: 35992906 PMCID: PMC9389285 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.938092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia and a distressing diagnosis for individuals and caregivers. Researchers and clinical trials have mainly focused on β-amyloid plaques, which are hypothesized to be one of the most important factors for neurodegeneration in AD. Meanwhile, recent clinicopathological and radiological studies have shown closer associations of tau pathology rather than β-amyloid pathology with the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s symptoms. Toward a biological definition of biomarker-based research framework for AD, the 2018 National Institute on Aging–Alzheimer’s Association working group has updated the ATN classification system for stratifying disease status in accordance with relevant pathological biomarker profiles, such as cerebral β-amyloid deposition, hyperphosphorylated tau, and neurodegeneration. In addition, altered iron metabolism has been considered to interact with abnormal proteins related to AD pathology thorough generating oxidative stress, as some prior histochemical and histopathological studies supported this iron-mediated pathomechanism. Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) has recently become more popular as a non-invasive magnetic resonance technique to quantify local tissue susceptibility with high spatial resolution, which is sensitive to the presence of iron. The association of cerebral susceptibility values with other pathological biomarkers for AD has been investigated using various QSM techniques; however, direct evidence of these associations remains elusive. In this review, we first briefly describe the principles of QSM. Second, we focus on a large variety of QSM applications, ranging from common applications, such as cerebral iron deposition, to more recent applications, such as the assessment of impaired myelination, quantification of venous oxygen saturation, and measurement of blood– brain barrier function in clinical settings for AD. Third, we mention the relationships among QSM, established biomarkers, and cognitive performance in AD. Finally, we discuss the role of QSM as an imaging biomarker as well as the expectations and limitations of clinically useful diagnostic and therapeutic implications for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuto Uchida
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: Yuto Uchida,
| | - Hirohito Kan
- Department of Integrated Health Sciences, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Keita Sakurai
- Department of Radiology, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Ōbu, Japan
| | - Kenichi Oishi
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Noriyuki Matsukawa
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
- Noriyuki Matsukawa,
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24
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Meneses BP, Stockmann JP, Arango N, Gapais PF, Giacomini E, Mauconduit F, Gras V, Boulant N, Vignaud A, Luong M, Amadon A. Shim Coils Tailored for Correcting B0 Inhomogeneity in the Human Brain (SCOTCH): Design Methodology and 48-Channel Prototype Assessment in 7-Tesla MRI. Neuroimage 2022; 261:119498. [PMID: 35917918 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased static field inhomogeneities are a burden for human brain MRI at Ultra-High-Field. In particular they cause enhanced Echo-Planar image distortions and signal losses due to magnetic susceptibility gradients at air-tissue interfaces in the subject's head. In the past decade, Multi-Coil Arrays (MCA) have been proposed to shim the field in the brain better than the 2nd or 3rd order Spherical Harmonic (SH) coils usually offered by MRI manufacturers. Here we present a novel MCA, named SCOTCH, optimized for whole brain shimming. Based on a cylindrical structure, it features several layers of small coils whose shape, size and location are found from a principal component analysis of ideal stream functions computed from an internal 100-brain fieldmap database. From an Open-Access external database of 126 brains, our SCOTCH implementation is shown to be equivalent to a partial 7th-order SH system with unlimited power, outperforming all known existing MCA prototypes. This result is further confirmed by a low-cost 30-cm diameter SCOTCH prototype built with 48 coils on 3 layers, and tested on 7 volunteers at 7T with a parallel-transmit RF coil made to be inserted in SCOTCH. Echo-Planar images of the subject brains before and after SCOTCH shimming show large signal recoveries, especially in the prefrontal cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Pinho Meneses
- Universite Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, BAOBAB, NeuroSpin, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Jason P Stockmann
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Nicolas Arango
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Paul-François Gapais
- Universite Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, BAOBAB, NeuroSpin, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Eric Giacomini
- Universite Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, BAOBAB, NeuroSpin, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Franck Mauconduit
- Universite Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, BAOBAB, NeuroSpin, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Vincent Gras
- Universite Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, BAOBAB, NeuroSpin, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Nicolas Boulant
- Universite Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, BAOBAB, NeuroSpin, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Alexandre Vignaud
- Universite Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, BAOBAB, NeuroSpin, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Michel Luong
- Universite Paris-Saclay, CEA, IRFU, DACM, Gif-sur-Yvette 91191, France
| | - Alexis Amadon
- Universite Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, BAOBAB, NeuroSpin, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
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25
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Lambert M, Tejos C, Langkammer C, Milovic C. Hybrid data fidelity term approach for quantitative susceptibility mapping. Magn Reson Med 2022; 88:962-972. [PMID: 35435267 PMCID: PMC9324845 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Methods Results Conclusions
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Lambert
- Department of Electrical Engineering Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Santiago Chile
- Biomedical Imaging Center Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Santiago Chile
- Millennium Institute for Intelligent Healthcare Engineering (iHEALTH) Santiago Chile
| | - Cristian Tejos
- Department of Electrical Engineering Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Santiago Chile
- Biomedical Imaging Center Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Santiago Chile
- Millennium Institute for Intelligent Healthcare Engineering (iHEALTH) Santiago Chile
| | - Christian Langkammer
- Department of Neurology Medical University of Graz Graz Austria
- BioTechMed Graz Graz Austria
| | - Carlos Milovic
- Department of Electrical Engineering Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Santiago Chile
- Biomedical Imaging Center Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile Santiago Chile
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering University College London London UK
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26
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Chan KS, Hédouin R, Mollink J, Schulz J, van Cappellen van Walsum AM, Marques JP. Imaging white matter microstructure with gradient-echo phase imaging: Is ex vivo imaging with formalin-fixed tissue a good approximation of the in vivo brain? Magn Reson Med 2022; 88:380-390. [PMID: 35344591 PMCID: PMC9314807 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Ex vivo imaging is a commonly used approach to investigate the biophysical mechanism of orientation‐dependent signal phase evolution in white matter. Yet, how phase measurements are influenced by the structural alteration in the tissue after formalin fixation is not fully understood. Here, we study the effects on magnetic susceptibility, microstructural compartmentalization, and chemical exchange measurement with a postmortem formalin‐fixed whole‐brain human tissue. Methods A formalin‐fixed, postmortem human brain specimen was scanned with multiple orientations to the main magnetic field direction for robust bulk magnetic susceptibility measurement with conventional quantitative susceptibility imaging models. White matter samples were subsequently excised from the whole‐brain specimen and scanned in multiple rotations on an MRI scanner to measure the anisotropic magnetic susceptibility and microstructure‐related contributions in the signal phase and to validate the findings of the whole‐brain data. Results The bulk isotropic magnetic susceptibility of ex vivo whole‐brain imaging is comparable to in vivo imaging, with noticeable enhanced nonsusceptibility contributions. The excised specimen experiment reveals that anisotropic magnetic susceptibility and compartmentalization phase effect were considerably reduced in the formalin‐fixed white matter specimens. Conclusions Formalin‐fixed postmortem white matter exhibits comparable isotropic magnetic susceptibility to previous in vivo imaging findings. However, the measured phase and magnitude data of the fixed white matter tissue shows a significantly weaker orientation dependency and compartmentalization effect. Alternatives to formalin fixation are needed to better reproduce the in vivo microstructural effects in postmortem samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwok-Shing Chan
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Renaud Hédouin
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Empenn, INRIA, INSERM, CNRS, Université de Rennes 1, Rennes, France
| | - Jeroen Mollink
- Department of Medical Imaging, Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jenni Schulz
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anne-Marie van Cappellen van Walsum
- Department of Medical Imaging, Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - José P Marques
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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27
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Florkow MC, Willemsen K, Mascarenhas VV, Oei EHG, van Stralen M, Seevinck PR. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Versus Computed Tomography for Three-Dimensional Bone Imaging of Musculoskeletal Pathologies: A Review. J Magn Reson Imaging 2022; 56:11-34. [PMID: 35044717 PMCID: PMC9305220 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.28067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly utilized as a radiation‐free alternative to computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis and treatment planning of musculoskeletal pathologies. MR imaging of hard tissues such as cortical bone remains challenging due to their low proton density and short transverse relaxation times, rendering bone tissues as nonspecific low signal structures on MR images obtained from most sequences. Developments in MR image acquisition and post‐processing have opened the path for enhanced MR‐based bone visualization aiming to provide a CT‐like contrast and, as such, ease clinical interpretation. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of studies comparing MR and CT imaging for diagnostic and treatment planning purposes in orthopedic care, with a special focus on selective bone visualization, bone segmentation, and three‐dimensional (3D) modeling. This review discusses conventional gradient‐echo derived techniques as well as dedicated short echo time acquisition techniques and post‐processing techniques, including the generation of synthetic CT, in the context of 3D and specific bone visualization. Based on the reviewed literature, it may be concluded that the recent developments in MRI‐based bone visualization are promising. MRI alone provides valuable information on both bone and soft tissues for a broad range of applications including diagnostics, 3D modeling, and treatment planning in multiple anatomical regions, including the skull, spine, shoulder, pelvis, and long bones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz C Florkow
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Koen Willemsen
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Vasco V Mascarenhas
- Musculoskeletal Imaging Unit, Imaging Center, Hospital da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Edwin H G Oei
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marijn van Stralen
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,MRIguidance BV, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter R Seevinck
- Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,MRIguidance BV, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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28
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Eckstein K, Bachrata B, Hangel G, Widhalm G, Enzinger C, Barth M, Trattnig S, Robinson SD. Improved susceptibility weighted imaging at ultra-high field using bipolar multi-echo acquisition and optimized image processing: CLEAR-SWI. Neuroimage 2021; 237:118175. [PMID: 34000407 PMCID: PMC7612087 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI) has become established in the clinical investigation of stroke, microbleeds, tumor vascularization, calcification and iron deposition, but suffers from a number of shortcomings and artefacts. The goal of this study was to reduce the sensitivity of SWI to strong B1 and B0 inhomogeneities at ultra-high field to generate homogeneous images with increased contrast and free of common artefacts. All steps in SWI processing have been addressed −coil combination, phase unwrapping, image combination over echoes, phase filtering and homogeneity correction −and applied to an efficient bipolar multi-echo acquisition to substantially improve the quality of SWI. Principal results Our findings regarding the optimal individual processing steps lead us to propose a Contrast-weighted, Laplace-unwrapped, bipolar multi-Echo, ASPIRE-combined, homogeneous, improved Resolution SWI, or CLEAR-SWI. CLEAR-SWI was compared to two other multi-echo SWI methods and standard, single-echo SWI with the same acquisition time at 7 T in 10 healthy volunteers and with single-echo SWI in 13 patients with brain tumors. CLEAR-SWI had improved contrast-to-noise and homogeneity, reduced signal dropout and was not compromised by the artefacts which affected standard SWI in 10 out of 13 cases close to tumors (as assessed by expert raters), as well as generating T2* maps and phase images which can be used for Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping. In a comparison with other multi-echo SWI methods, CLEAR-SWI had the fewest artefacts, highest SNR and generally higher contrast-to-noise. Major conclusions CLEAR-SWI eliminates the artefacts common in standard, single-echo SWI, reduces signal dropouts and improves image homogeneity and contrast-to-noise. Applied clinically, in a study of brain tumor patients, CLEAR-SWI was free of the artefacts which affected standard, single-echo SWI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korbinian Eckstein
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Beata Bachrata
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Karl Landsteiner Institute for Clinical Molecular MR in Musculoskeletal Imaging, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gilbert Hangel
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Georg Widhalm
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Markus Barth
- School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Siegfried Trattnig
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Karl Landsteiner Institute for Clinical Molecular MR in Musculoskeletal Imaging, Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon Daniel Robinson
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Karl Landsteiner Institute for Clinical Molecular MR in Musculoskeletal Imaging, Vienna, Austria; Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
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29
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Shi Y, Li M, Zeng W. MARGM: A multi-subjects adaptive region growing method for group fMRI data analysis. Biomed Signal Process Control 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2021.102882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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30
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Zhou H, Cheng C, Peng H, Liang D, Liu X, Zheng H, Zou C. The PHU-NET: A robust phase unwrapping method for MRI based on deep learning. Magn Reson Med 2021; 86:3321-3333. [PMID: 34272757 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This work was aimed at designing a deep-learning-based approach for MR image phase unwrapping to improve the robustness and efficiency of traditional methods. METHODS A deep learning network called PHU-NET was designed for MR phase unwrapping. In this network, a novel training data generation method was proposed to simulate the wrapping patterns in MR phase images. The wrapping boundary and wrapping counts were explicitly estimated and used for network training. The proposed method was quantitatively evaluated and compared to other methods using a number of simulated datasets with varying signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and MR phase images from various parts of the human body. RESULTS The results showed that our method performed better in the simulated data even under an extremely low SNR. The proposed method had less residual wrapping in the images from various parts of human body and worked well in the presence of severe anatomical discontinuity. Our method was also advantageous in terms of computational efficiency compared to the traditional methods. CONCLUSION This work proposed a robust and computationally efficient MR phase unwrapping method based on a deep learning network, which has promising performance in applications using MR phase information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Zhou
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chuanli Cheng
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Peng
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,School of Artificial Intelligence and Automation, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dong Liang
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory for Magnetic Resonance and Multimodality Imaging of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory for Magnetic Resonance and Multimodality Imaging of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hairong Zheng
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory for Magnetic Resonance and Multimodality Imaging of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao Zou
- Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory for Magnetic Resonance and Multimodality Imaging of Guangdong Province, Shenzhen, China
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Marques JP, Meineke J, Milovic C, Bilgic B, Chan K, Hedouin R, van der Zwaag W, Langkammer C, Schweser F. QSM reconstruction challenge 2.0: A realistic in silico head phantom for MRI data simulation and evaluation of susceptibility mapping procedures. Magn Reson Med 2021; 86:526-542. [PMID: 33638241 PMCID: PMC8048665 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To create a realistic in silico head phantom for the second QSM reconstruction challenge and for future evaluations of processing algorithms for QSM. METHODS We created a digital whole-head tissue property phantom by segmenting and postprocessing high-resolution (0.64 mm isotropic), multiparametric MRI data acquired at 7 T from a healthy volunteer. We simulated the steady-state magnetization at 7 T using a Bloch simulator and mimicked a Cartesian sampling scheme through Fourier-based processing. Computer code for generating the phantom and performing the MR simulation was designed to facilitate flexible modifications of the phantom in the future, such as the inclusion of pathologies as well as the simulation of a wide range of acquisition protocols. Specifically, the following parameters and effects were implemented: TR and TE, voxel size, background fields, and RF phase biases. Diffusion-weighted imaging phantom data are provided, allowing future investigations of tissue-microstructure effects in phase and QSM algorithms. RESULTS The brain part of the phantom featured realistic morphology with spatial variations in relaxation and susceptibility values similar to the in vivo setting. We demonstrated some of the phantom's properties, including the possibility of generating phase data with nonlinear evolution over TE due to partial-volume effects or complex distributions of frequency shifts within the voxel. CONCLUSION The presented phantom and computer programs are publicly available and may serve as a ground truth in future assessments of the faithfulness of quantitative susceptibility reconstruction algorithms.
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Affiliation(s)
- José P. Marques
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviorRadboud UniversityNijmegenthe Netherlands
| | | | - Carlos Milovic
- Department of Electrical EngineeringPontificia Universidad Catolica de ChileSantiagoChile
- Biomedical Imaging CenterPontificia Universidad Catolica de ChileSantiagoChile
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical EngineeringUniversity College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Berkin Bilgic
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical ImagingCharlestownMassachusettsUSA
- Department of RadiologyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Harvard‐MIT Health Sciences and TechnologyMITCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Kwok‐Shing Chan
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviorRadboud UniversityNijmegenthe Netherlands
| | - Renaud Hedouin
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviorRadboud UniversityNijmegenthe Netherlands
- Centre Inria Rennes ‐ Bretagne AtlantiqueRennesFrance
| | | | | | - Ferdinand Schweser
- Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis CenterDepartment of NeurologyJacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical SciencesUniversity at BuffaloThe State University of New YorkBuffaloNew YorkUSA
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Clinical and Translational Science InstituteUniversity at BuffaloThe State University of New YorkBuffaloNew YorkUSA
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32
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Chen Z, Chen Z. Computed inverse MRI (CIMRI) for intrinsic brain magnetic susceptibility mapping. Comput Biol Med 2021; 134:104498. [PMID: 34051451 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.104498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), tissue magnetization in the main field B0 is a necessary preparation for magnetic resonance signal formation that imposes an inherent dipole effect on MRI signals, which predisposes an artifact on tissue MRI. In the MRI principle, T2*-weighted MRI can be described by a cascade of data transformations: from the source of tissue magnetic susceptibility (denoted by χ) to the output of complex-valued T2* image (in a magnitude and phase pair). Under the linear approximation of the T2* phase MRI, we can computationally reconstruct the source χ by quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), which is an inverse solution that is modeled by computed inverse MRI (CIMRI). For a brain function study using MRI (fMRI), we can reconstruct a timeseries of brain χ images to represent the intrinsic brain function activity called functional QSM (fQSM). This intrinsic depiction is defined as the removal of the artifactual dipole effect and other MRI-introduced distortions from phase data through inverse mapping. With one high-resolution QSM experiment and one group (20 subjects) low-resolution fQSM experiment, we show that the dipole effect manifests as ripples around vessels and a spatial split at a local activation blob and that the dipole effect could be removed by CIMRI. In the context of inverse imaging or undoing MRI transformations (including dipole convolution), we computationally achieve brain intrinsic structural depiction by QSM and intrinsic functional depiction by fQSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyuan Chen
- Department of Computer Sciences, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| | - Zikuan Chen
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, 91010, USA; Zinv LLC, Albuquerque, NM, 87108, USA.
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33
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Chan KS, Marques JP. SEPIA-Susceptibility mapping pipeline tool for phase images. Neuroimage 2020; 227:117611. [PMID: 33309901 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is a physics-driven computational technique that has a high sensitivity in quantifying iron deposition based on MRI phase images. Furthermore, it has a unique ability to distinguish paramagnetic and diamagnetic contributions such as haemorrhage and calcification based on image contrast. These properties have contributed to a growing interest to use QSM not only in research but also in clinical applications. However, it is challenging to obtain high quality susceptibility map because of its ill-posed nature, especially for researchers who have less experience with QSM and the optimisation of its pipeline. In this paper, we present an open-source processing pipeline tool called SuscEptibility mapping PIpeline tool for phAse images (SEPIA) dedicated to the post-processing of MRI phase images and QSM. SEPIA connects various QSM toolboxes freely available in the field to offer greater flexibility in QSM processing. It also provides an interactive graphical user interface to construct and execute a QSM processing pipeline, simplifying the workflow in QSM research. The extendable design of SEPIA also allows developers to deploy their methods in the framework, providing a platform for developers and researchers to share and utilise the state-of-the-art methods in QSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwok-Shing Chan
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - José P Marques
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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34
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Karsa A, Punwani S, Shmueli K. An optimized and highly repeatable MRI acquisition and processing pipeline for quantitative susceptibility mapping in the head-and-neck region. Magn Reson Med 2020; 84:3206-3222. [PMID: 32621302 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/11/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) is an emerging technique sensitive to disease-related changes including oxygenation. It is extensively used in brain studies and has increasing clinical applications outside the brain. Here we present the first MRI acquisition protocol and QSM pipeline optimized for the head-and-neck region together with a repeatability analysis performed in healthy volunteers. METHODS We investigated both the intrasession and the intersession repeatability of the optimized method in 10 subjects. We also implemented two, Tikhonov-regularisation-based susceptibility calculation techniques that were found to have higher contrast-to-noise than existing methods in the head-and-neck region. Repeatability was evaluated by calculating the distributions of susceptibility differences between repeated scans and the corresponding minimum detectable effect sizes (MDEs). RESULTS Deep brain regions had higher QSM repeatability than neck regions. As expected, intrasession repeatability was generally better than intersession repeatability. Susceptibility maps calculated using projection onto dipole fields for background field removal were more repeatable than using the Laplacian boundary value method in the head-and-neck region. Small (short-axis diameter <5 mm) lymph nodes had the lowest repeatability (MDE = 0.27 ppm) as imperfect segmentation included some of the surrounding paramagnetic fatty fascia, highlighting the importance of accurate region delineation. MDEs in the larger lymph nodes (0.16 ppm), submandibular glands (0.10 ppm), and especially the parotid glands (0.06 ppm) were much lower, comparable to those of the brain regions. CONCLUSIONS The high repeatability of the acquisition and pipeline optimized for QSM will facilitate clinical studies in the head-and-neck region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Karsa
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shonit Punwani
- Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karin Shmueli
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Medical Imaging, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Dymerska B, Eckstein K, Bachrata B, Siow B, Trattnig S, Shmueli K, Robinson SD. Phase unwrapping with a rapid opensource minimum spanning tree algorithm (ROMEO). Magn Reson Med 2020; 85:2294-2308. [PMID: 33104278 PMCID: PMC7821134 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To develop a rapid and accurate MRI phase-unwrapping technique for challenging phase topographies encountered at high magnetic fields, around metal implants, or postoperative cavities, which is sufficiently fast to be applied to large-group studies including Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping and functional MRI (with phase-based distortion correction). METHODS The proposed path-following phase-unwrapping algorithm, ROMEO, estimates the coherence of the signal both in space-using MRI magnitude and phase information-and over time, assuming approximately linear temporal phase evolution. This information is combined to form a quality map that guides the unwrapping along a 3D path through the object using a computationally efficient minimum spanning tree algorithm. ROMEO was tested against the two most commonly used exact phase-unwrapping methods, PRELUDE and BEST PATH, in simulated topographies and at several field strengths: in 3T and 7T in vivo human head images and 9.4T ex vivo rat head images. RESULTS ROMEO was more reliable than PRELUDE and BEST PATH, yielding unwrapping results with excellent temporal stability for multi-echo or multi-time-point data. It does not require image masking and delivers results within seconds, even in large, highly wrapped multi-echo data sets (eg, 9 seconds for a 7T head data set with 31 echoes and a 208 × 208 × 96 matrix size). CONCLUSION Overall, ROMEO was both faster and more accurate than PRELUDE and BEST PATH, delivering exact results within seconds, which is well below typical image acquisition times, enabling potential on-console application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Dymerska
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Korbinian Eckstein
- High Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Beata Bachrata
- High Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Clinical Molecular MR Imaging, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernard Siow
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Siegfried Trattnig
- High Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Christian Doppler Laboratory for Clinical Molecular MR Imaging, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karin Shmueli
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Daniel Robinson
- High Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Centre for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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36
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Biondetti E, Karsa A, Thomas DL, Shmueli K. Investigating the accuracy and precision of TE-dependent versus multi-echo QSM using Laplacian-based methods at 3 T. Magn Reson Med 2020; 84:3040-3053. [PMID: 32491224 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Multi-echo gradient-recalled echo acquisitions for QSM enable optimizing the SNR for several tissue types through multi-echo (TE) combination or investigating temporal variations in the susceptibility (potentially reflecting tissue microstructure) by calculating one QSM image at each TE (TE-dependent QSM). In contrast with multi-echo QSM, applying Laplacian-based methods (LBMs) for phase unwrapping and background field removal to single TEs could introduce nonlinear temporal variations (independent of tissue microstructure) into the measured susceptibility. Here, we aimed to compare the effect of LBMs on the QSM susceptibilities in TE-dependent versus multi-echo QSM. METHODS TE-dependent recalled echo data simulated in a numerical head phantom and gradient-recalled echo images acquired at 3 T in 10 healthy volunteers. Several QSM pipelines were tested, including four distinct LBMs: sophisticated harmonic artifact reduction for phase data (SHARP), variable-radius sophisticated harmonic artifact reduction for phase data (V-SHARP), Laplacian boundary value background field removal (LBV), and one-step total generalized variation (TGV). Results from distinct pipelines were compared using visual inspection, summary statistics of susceptibility in deep gray matter/white matter/venous regions of interest, and, in the healthy volunteers, regional susceptibility bias analysis and nonparametric tests. RESULTS Multi-echo versus TE-dependent QSM had higher regional accuracy, especially in high-susceptibility regions and at shorter TEs. Everywhere except in the veins, a processing pipeline incorporating TGV provided the most temporally stable TE-dependent QSM results with an accuracy similar to multi-echo QSM. CONCLUSIONS For TE-dependent QSM, carefully choosing LBMs can minimize the introduction of LBM-related nonlinear temporal susceptibility variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Biondetti
- Centre de NeuroImagerie de Recherche (CENIR), Team "Movement Investigations and Therapeutics", Institut du Cerveau (ICM), Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anita Karsa
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David L Thomas
- Dementia Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karin Shmueli
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Heule R, Bause J, Pusterla O, Scheffler K. Multi-parametric artificial neural network fitting of phase-cycled balanced steady-state free precession data. Magn Reson Med 2020; 84:2981-2993. [PMID: 32479661 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Standard relaxation time quantification using phase-cycled balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP), eg, motion-insensitive rapid configuration relaxometry (MIRACLE), is subject to a considerable underestimation of tissue T1 and T2 due to asymmetric intra-voxel frequency distributions. In this work, an artificial neural network (ANN) fitting approach is proposed to simultaneously extract accurate reference relaxation times (T1 , T2 ) and robust field map estimates ( B 1 + , ΔB0 ) from the bSSFP profile. METHODS Whole-brain bSSFP data acquired at 3T were used for the training of a feedforward ANN with N = 12, 6, and 4 phase-cycles. The magnitude and phase of the Fourier transformed complex bSSFP frequency response served as input and the multi-parametric reference set [T1 , T2 , B 1 + , ∆B0 ] as target. The ANN predicted relaxation times were validated against the target and MIRACLE. RESULTS The ANN prediction of T1 and T2 for trained and untrained data agreed well with the reference, even for only four acquired phase-cycles. In contrast, relaxometry based on 4-point MIRACLE was prone to severe off-resonance-related artifacts. ANN predicted B 1 + and ∆B0 maps showed the expected spatial inhomogeneity patterns in high agreement with the reference measurements for 12-point, 6-point, and 4-point bSSFP phase-cycling schemes. CONCLUSION ANNs show promise to provide accurate brain tissue T1 and T2 values as well as reliable field map estimates. Moreover, the bSSFP acquisition can be accelerated by reducing the number of phase-cycles while still delivering robust T1 , T2 , B 1 + , and ∆B0 estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahel Heule
- High Field Magnetic Resonance, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonas Bause
- High Field Magnetic Resonance, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Orso Pusterla
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Division of Radiological Physics, Department of Radiology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Klaus Scheffler
- High Field Magnetic Resonance, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Lee SH, Han MJ, Lee J, Lee SK. Experimental setup for bulk susceptibility effect-minimized, multi-orientation MRI of ex vivo tissue samples. Med Phys 2020; 47:3032-3043. [PMID: 32282079 DOI: 10.1002/mp.14174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Many conventional ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) setups utilize cylindrical or other nonspherical tissue containers which can cause static field (B0 ) inhomogeneity affecting the accuracy of the measurements in an orientation-dependent manner. In this work we demonstrate an experimental method to obtain MRI of ex vivo tissue samples held in a spherical container in order to minimize bulk susceptibility-induced B0 inhomogeneity in arbitrary orientations. METHODS B0 inhomogeneity caused by tissue-air susceptibility mismatch can be theoretically eliminated if the surface of susceptibility discontinuity is spherical. This situation can be approximated by putting a tissue sample in a spherical shell filled with materials with tissue-like magnetic susceptibility. We achieved this on an intact monkey brain by (a) holding the brain with a three-dimensional (3D)-printed holder with tissue-like (within 0.5 ppm) susceptibility, and (b) enclosing the brain and the holder in an acrylic spherical shell filled with diamagnetic liquid. Furthermore, the sphere and the radio-frequency coil for MRI were mounted on a 3D-printed frame designed to reduce B0 inhomogeneity contributions. The sphere could be rotated freely without disturbing the RF coil to facilitate multi-orientation imaging. We verified our setup by mapping B0 in the monkey brain at 13 different orientations in a human 7T scanner, and measuring orientation-dependent R 2 ∗ relaxation rates in the white and gray matters of the brain. The results were then compared with a setup where the brain was held inside a cylindrical container. RESULTS In all orientations, the B0 standard deviation in the brain in the spherical setup (converted to Larmor frequency offset) was less than about 10 Hz. This corresponds to two-sigma deviation of B0 of <0.07 ppm. The B0 gradient was <9 Hz/mm in 95 % of the brain voxels in all orientations. In high-resolution imaging with e.g. voxel size <0.4 mm, this corresponds to voxel line broadening of <4 Hz (0.013 ppm). R 2 ∗ in the corpus callosum showed distinctly different orientation dependence compared to the gray matter. The B0 uniformity and R 2 ∗ reliability were much reduced in the cylindrical container setup. CONCLUSIONS We have demonstrated an experimental method to effectively minimize bulk susceptibility-induced B0 perturbation in multi-orientation ex vivo MRI. The method promises to benefit a range of tissue orientation-dependent MR property studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- So-Hee Lee
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon, South Korea.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Min-Jun Han
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon, South Korea.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Joonyeol Lee
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon, South Korea.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Seung-Kyun Lee
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Suwon, South Korea.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea.,Biomedical Institute for Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea.,Department of Physics, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
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