T1ρ-weighted MRI using a surface coil to transmit spin-lock pulses

T1rho-weighted MRI is a novel basis for generating tissue contrast. However, it suffers from sensitivity to B1 inhomogeneity. First, excitation with a spatially varying B1 causes flip-angle artifacts and second, spin locking with an inhomogeneous B1 results in non-uniform T1rho contrast. In this study, we overcome the former complication with a specially designed spin-locking pulse sequence and we successfully obtain T1rho-weighted images with a surface coil. In this pulse sequence, the spin-lock pulse was divided into segments of equal duration and alternating phase. This "self-compensating" T1rho-preparatory pulse sequence was analyzed and the effect of an inhomogeneous B1 field was simulated using the Bloch equations. T1rho-weighted MR images of a phantom and a human knee joint in vivo were obtained on a clinical scanner with a surface coil to demonstrate the utility of the pulse sequence. The self-compensating T1rho-prepared pulses sequence resulted in substantially reduced image artifacts compared to the conventional, single-phase spin-lock pulse.     

T1rho-weighted MRI using a surface coil to transmit spin-lock pulses

T1rho-weighted MRI is a novel basis for generating tissue contrast. However, it suffers from sensitivity to B1 inhomogeneity. First, excitation with a spatially varying B1 causes flip-angle artifacts and second, spin locking with an inhomogeneous B1 results in non-uniform T1rho contrast. In this study, we overcome the former complication with a specially designed spin-locking pulse sequence and we successfully obtain T1rho-weighted images with a surface coil. In this pulse sequence, the spin-lock pulse was divided into segments of equal duration and alternating phase. This "self-compensating" T1rho-preparatory pulse sequence was analyzed and the effect of an inhomogeneous B1 field was simulated using the Bloch equations. T1rho-weighted MR images of a phantom and a human knee joint in vivo were obtained on a clinical scanner with a surface coil to demonstrate the utility of the pulse sequence. The self-compensating T1rho-prepared pulses sequence resulted in substantially reduced image artifacts compared to the conventional, single-phase spin-lock pulse.     

Spin-lock techniques and CPMG imaging sequences: a critical appraisal of T1p contrast at 0.15 T

The addition of a spin-lock preparatory sequence to a Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) imaging sequence provides a method which allows an accurate and simple comparison of T1p and T2 contrast. Sagittal and axial brain images, produced with the application of a three pulse preparatory spin-lock sequence prior to a sixteen-echo CPMG imaging sequence, are compared with images acquired without the spin-lock sequence. The CPMG sequence uses non-selective refocusing pulses. Therefore, observed echo signals accurately reflect T2 relaxation. This allows a convenient method for assessing the degree to which T1p and T2 contrast differ. The spin-lock CPMG (SL-CPMG) images were acquired with a spin-locking field amplitude of 0.4 G and resemble heavily T2-weighted images at 0.15 T. Quantitative analyses of signal intensities from edema and normal brain tissue confirm the qualitative observations. This in vivo method should prove useful for determining when the additional RF power deposition associated with spin-locking techniques will provide an alternate form of tissue contrast than that available from additional echo collection.     

Variable flip angle imaging and fat suppression in combined gradient and spin-echo (GREASE) techniques

Conventional "proton density" and "T2-weighted" spin-echo images are susceptible to motion induced artifact, which is exacerbated by lipid signals. Gradient moment nulling can reduce motion artifact but lengthens the minimum TE, degrading the "proton density" contrast. We designed a pulse sequence capable of optimizing proton density and T2-weighted contrast while suppressing lipid signals and motion induced artifacts. Proton density weighting was obtained by rapid readout gradient reversal immediately after the excitation RF pulse, within a conventional spin-echo sequence. By analyzing the behavior of the macroscopic magnetization and optimizing excitation flip angle, we suppressed T1 contribution to the image, thereby enhancing proton density and T2-weighted contrast with a two- to four-fold reduction of repetition time. This permitted an increased number of averages to be used, reducing motion induced artifacts. Fat suppression in the presence of motion was investigated in two groups of 8 volunteers each by (i) modified Dixon technique, (ii) selective excitation, and (iii) hybrid of both. Elimination of fat signal by the first technique was relatively uniform across the field of view, but it did not fully suppress the ghosts originating from fat motion. Selective excitation, while sensitive to the main field inhomogeneity, largely eliminated the ghosts (0.21 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.29 +/- 0.06, p less than 0.01). The hybrid of both techniques combined with bandwidth optimization, however, showed the best results (0.17 +/- 0.04, p less than 0.001). Variable flip-angle imaging allows optimization of image contrast which, along with averaging and effective fat suppression, significantly improves gradient- and spin-echo imaging, particularly in the presence of motion.     

Elimination of chemical shift artifacts of thoracic spine with contrast-enhanced FLAIR imaging with fat suppression at 3.0 T

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of chemical shift artifacts and fat suppression between contrast-enhanced T1-weighted fast spin-echo (FSE) sequence with fat suppression and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence with fat suppression in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thoracic spine at 3.0T. Forty patients, who underwent MRI examination, were recruited and analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Due to chemical shift artifacts in the T1-weighted FSE, 14 of the patients were found to be of non-diagnostic value. On the contrary, in 11 of those 14 patients, no chemical shift artifacts were observed in the T1-weighted FLAIR sequence. Regarding the efficiency of fat suppression, both sequences achieved successful fat suppression. Consequently, the use of T1-weighted FLAIR fat suppression after contrast administration sequence seems to eliminate or significantly reduce image quality deterioration stemming from chemical shift artifacts in thoracic spine examinations.     

A multi-plane scout sequence using flash imaging

A new pulse sequence is presented for multi-plane imaging which simultaneously acquires images in the axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. Combined with FLASH imaging or other similar techniques, T1- and T2-weighted images in all three planes can be acquired in approximately 12 and 30 seconds, respectively. The sequence is easily implemented by modifying a multi-slice sequence to provide a rotation of gradient assignments between slice excitations. This sequence has been used extensively as a rapid "scout" scan. Several clinical examples are included.     

Fast T2-weighted MR imaging: impact of variation in pulse sequence parameters on image quality and artifacts

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate in a phantom model the practical impact of alteration of key imaging parameters on image quality and artifacts for the most commonly used fast T(2)-weighted MR sequences. These include fast spin-echo (FSE), single shot fast spin-echo (SSFSE), and spin-echo echo-planar imaging (EPI) pulse sequences. We developed a composite phantom with different T1 and T2 values, which was evaluated while stationary as well as during periodic motion. Experiments involved controlled variations in key parameters including effective TE, TR, echo spacing (ESP), receive bandwidth (BW), echo train length (ETL), and shot number (SN). Quantitative analysis consisted of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), image nonuniformity, full-width-at-half-maximum (i.e., blurring or geometric distortion) and ghosting ratio. Among the fast T(2)-weighted sequences, EPI was most sensitive to alterations in imaging parameters. Among imaging parameters that we tested, effective TE, ETL, and shot number most prominently affected image quality and artifacts. Short T(2) objects were more sensitive to alterations in imaging parameters in terms of image quality and artifacts. Optimal clinical application of these fast T(2)-weighted imaging pulse sequences requires careful attention to selection of imaging parameters.     

Magnetization prepared rapid gradient-echo (MP-RAGE) MR imaging of the liver: comparison with spin-echo imaging.

We have implemented an MR technique that employs a rapid gradient echo sequence, preceded by magnetization preparation pulses to provide T1- and T2-weighted tissue contrast. With this technique, which can be identified as a member of a new family of pulse sequences, generically named Magnetization Prepared RApid Gradient Echo (MP-RAGE), very short repetition times are used, allowing acquisition times of less than one second and images virtually free of motion-induced artifacts during quiet respiration. Fifteen patients with known liver lesions (metastases, hemangiomas, and cysts) were examined using T1- and T2-weighted 2-dimensional MP-RAGE sequences, and the images were compared with conventional T1- and multi-echo T2-weighted spin-echo (SE) sequences. Signal difference-to-noise ratios (SD/Ns) of the lesions were calculated for all pulse sequences using corresponding axial images and were normalized for voxel volume. The mean normalized SD/Ns of the MP-RAGE sequences were generally comparable to those for the SE sequences. In addition, there were no noticeable respiratory artifacts on the MP-RAGE images whereas these were clearly present on the T2-weighted SE images and to a lesser degree on the T1-weighted SE images. It is concluded that the MP-RAGE technique could become an important method for evaluating the liver for focal disease.     

Comparison of T1-weighted spin-echo and 3D T1-weighted multi-shot Echo Planar pulse sequences in imaging the brain at it.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of three dimensional T1-weighted multi-shot Echo Planar Imaging (3D T1w EPI) MR pulse sequence to provide comparable to T1w Spin Echo (SE) results in various diseases of the brain, during shorter acquisition times. Thirty-six patients (aged 30-74 years) with various indications were included in the study. All examinations were performed with a 1T MR scanner with a maximum gradient strength of 15 mT/m. The SE sequence lasted 3 min 50s and the 3D T1w EPI 59s. The quantitative analysis included number of enhancing lesions, signal-to-noise ratio of the enhancing lesions and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between enhancing lesions and white matter in both sequences before and after i.v. administration of 0.1 mmol/kg gadopentetate dimeglumine. In addition, the percentage increase of enhancement was measured in each lesion of each sequence. The qualitative analysis included a) conspicuity of the lesions and b) presence of artifacts. The T1w SE sequence was significantly better compared to 3D T1w EPI in all quantitative measurements with the exception of CNR of enhancing lesions before contrast administration and the percentage enhancement. The conspicuity of the lesions did not differ between the two sequences. The EPI sequence presented with significantly more artifacts. We conclude that the 3D T1w EPI sequence could not be used instead of the conventional T1w SE, in routine imaging of the brain. Its overall diagnostic capability, could be useful only in uncooperative patients.     

Rotating frame analog of spin-locking and spin-lattice relaxation in the doubly rotating frame

The present paper reports the achievement of the rotating-frame analog of spin-locking and its application to the precise measurements of the spin-lattice relaxation time T(1DR) in the doubly rotating frame. After the magnetization is aligned along the resonant RF field H(1), a pulse sequence of a low-frequency oscillating magnetic field at exact resonance is applied perpendicular to H(1). We have overcome several technical difficulties arising from the fact that the rotating-wave approximation is not valid for the low-frequency field. We have theoretically derived an expression of T(-1)(1DR) due to fluctuating magnetic dipole interactions in the weak collision case and found an important relation among the spin-lattice relaxation rates T(-1)(1), T(-1)(1rho), and T(-1)(1DR). This relation can be used to ascertain whether the relaxation is only due to the fluctuating magnetic dipole interactions between like spins. The experiment was carried out on (1)H nuclei in tetramethylammonium iodide (CH(3))(4)NI and the temperature dependence of T(-1)(1DR) was measured together with that of T(-1)(1) and T(-1)(1rho). The activation energies and the preexponential factors of Arrhenius expressions of the correlation times are newly determined.     

Bone marrow imaging using STIR at 0.5 and 1.5 T.

We retrospectively examined MR images in 82 patients to evaluate the usefulness of short inversion time inversion recovery (STIR) in bone marrow imaging at 0.5 and 1.5 T. The study included 56 patients at 1.5 T and 26 patients at 0.5 T with a variety of pathologic bone marrow lesions (principally oncological), and compared the contrast and image quality of STIR imaging with spin-echo short repetition time/echo time (TR/TE), long TR/TE, and gradient-echo sequences. The pulse sequences were adjusted for optimal image quality, contrast, and fat nulling. STIR appears especially useful for the evaluation of red marrow (e.g., spine), where contrast between normal and infiltrated marrow is greater than with either gradient-echo or T1-weighted images. STIR is also extremely sensitive for evaluation of osteomyelitis, including soft tissue extent. In more peripheral (yellow) marrow, T1-weighted images are usually as sensitive as STIR. Limitations of STIR include artifacts, in particular motion artifact that at high field strength necessitates motion compensation. At 0.5 T, however, motion compensation is usually not necessary. Also, because of extreme sensitivity to water content, STIR may overstate the margins of a marrow lesion. With these limitations in mind, STIR is a very effective pulse sequence at both 0.5 and 1.5 T for evaluation of marrow abnormalities.     

Liver imaging at 1.5 tesla: pulse sequence optimization based on improved measurement of tissue relaxation times

In order to predict the most sensitive MR imaging sequence for detecting liver metastases at 1.5 T, in vivo measurements of T1 and T2 relaxation times and proton density were obtained using multipoint techniques. Based on these measurements, two-dimensional contrast contour plots were constructed demonstrating signal intensity contrast between hepatic lesions and surrounding liver parenchyma for different pulse sequences and pulse timing parameters. The data predict that inversion recovery spin echo (IRSE) imaging should yield the greatest contrast between liver metastases and liver parenchyma at 1.5 T, followed by short tau inversion recovery (STIR) and spin-echo (SE) pulse sequences. T2-weighted SE images provided greater liver/lesion contrast than T1-weighted SE pulse sequences. Calculated T1, T2, and proton density values of the spleen were similar to those of hepatic metastatic lesions, indicating that the signal intensity of the spleen may be used as an internal standard to predict the signal intensity of hepatic metastases on T1- and T2-weighted images at 1.5 T.     

Fast proton spin-lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame during the application of time averaged precession frequency

A relatively rapid phase alternation of the effective field in the time averaged precession frequency (TAPF) sequence results in averaging of the proton RF spin-lock field. The spin-locking of the proton magnetization becomes less efficient and thus shortens T(1rho)(H), the proton spin-lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame. The relaxation time also depends on the ratio of tau(1) and tau(2) intervals i.e. tau(1)/tau(2) and not only on the number of tau(c)=tau(1)+tau(2) blocks, i.e. the number of the phase transients. Experiments are performed on solid samples of ferrocene and glycine and for some time intervals, T(1rho)(H) is shortened by factors of 9-100 compared to the relaxation times obtained in the standard experiment.     

Microimaging at 14 tesla using GESEPI for removal of magnetic susceptibility artifacts in T(2)(*)-weighted image contrast.

In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), T(2)(*)-weighted contrast is significantly enhanced by extremely high magnetic field strength, offering broad potential applications. However, the T(2)(*)-weighted image contrast distortion and signal loss artifact arising from discontinuities of magnetic susceptibility within and around the sample are also increased, limiting utilization of high field systems for T(2)(*)-weighted contrast applications. Due to the B(0) dependence of the contrast distortions and signal losses, and the heterogeneity of magnetic susceptibility in biological samples, magnetic susceptibility artifacts worsen dramatically for in vivo microimaging at higher fields. Practical applications of T(2)(*)-sensitive techniques enhanced by higher magnetic fields are therefore challenged. This report shows that magnetic susceptibility artifacts dominate T(2)(*)-weighted image contrast at 14 T, and demonstrates that the GESEPI (gradient echo slice excitation profile imaging) technique effectively reduces or eliminates these artifacts at long TE in the highest field (14 T) currently available for (1)H imaging.     

Implementation of a rapid inversion-prepared dual-contrast gradient echo sequence for quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the human prostate

The first step in quantitative pharmacokinetic modeling is to determine the arterial input function (AIF) by deriving the contrast medium (CM) concentration from an appropriate imaging sequence by monitoring changes in either the amplitude or the phase signal of an accommodative artery. The bolus passage is best detected on T2- or T2*-weighted images, while extravasation is best assessed on T1-weighted images. Here, an imaging sequence is used that employs a parallel acquisition technique for the interleaved acquisition of an inversion-prepared T1-weighted image and a T1/T2*-mixed-weighted image for determination of the AIF.

The sequence was applied in six patients with prostate cancer. A method is presented for quantifying the AIF derived from the signal intensity-time courses of both the T1/T2*-mixed-weighted and the T1-weighted image. Furthermore, in some patients the signal intensity-time course of the T1-weighted image exhibits flow-induced signal modulations. To reduce the effect of this flow-related signal enhancement the corresponding phase information was used.

The sequence presented here has the potential to improve the quantification of the AIF at all time points and pharmacokinetic modeling of the CM dynamics of the prostate.     

A computer algorithm for the simulation of any nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging method

More than a dozen Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) imaging methods have been described using different radio-frequency pulse sequences, magnetic field gradient variations, and data processing. In order to have a theoretical understanding in the most general case, we have conceived a computer program for the simulation of NMR imaging techniques. The algorithm uses the solution of the Bloch equations at each point of a simulated object. The direction of every elementary magnetic moment is computed at each instant, and stored in an array giving the global signal to be processed, whatever the pulse and gradient sequence. To test the validity of this program, we have simulated some well-known experimental results. Some applications are presented which contribute to the understanding of image distortions and to techniques such as selective radio-frequency pulse or oscillating gradients. This program can be used to unravel physical and technological causes of image distortions, to have a "microscopic" look at any parameter of an experiment, and to study the contrast given by various NMR imaging techniques as a function of the three NMR parameters, i.e., the hydrogen nuclei density rho and the relaxation times T1 and T2.     

HASTE sequence with parallel acquisition and T2 decay compensation: application to carotid artery imaging

T2-weighted carotid artery images acquired using the turbo spin-echo (TSE) sequence frequently suffer from motion artifacts due to respiration and blood pulsation. The possibility of using HASTE sequence to achieve motion-free carotid images was investigated. The HASTE sequence suffers from severe blurring artifacts due to signal loss in later echoes due to T2 decay. Combining HASTE with parallel acquisition (PHASTE) decreases the number of echoes acquired and thus effectively reduces the blurring artifact caused by T2 relaxation. Further improvement in image sharpness can be achieved by performing T2 decay compensation before reconstructing the PHASTE data. Preliminary results have shown successful suppression of motion artifacts with PHASTE imaging. The image quality was enhanced relative to the original HASTE image, but was still less sharp than a non-motion-corrupted TSE image.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of the uterus at an ultra low (0.02 T) magnetic field.

In vivo pelvic imaging of 39 women and in vitro relaxation time measurements of four uterine specimens were performed using an ultra low field (0.02 T) MRI unit. Average T1 times measured in vitro at 37 degrees C for the myometrium and endometrium were 206 ms (SD 47 ms) and 389 ms (SD 21 ms), respectively. Corresponding T2 times were 95 ms (SD 20 ms) and 167 ms (SD 13 ms). The proton relaxation of almost all myometrial specimens proved to be biexponential, but of all endometrial specimens was monoexponential. Contrast measurements between endometrium versus myometrium and myometrium versus the junctional zone were performed after imaging 18 volunteer women using different pulse sequence parameters. Normal uterine structures were optimally demonstrated by SE 700/70. Relatively short repetition times could be used, because spin-lattice relaxation times were short at the low magnetic field. Consequently, the short repetition times allowed averaging of four excitations to create adequate images within an acceptable scanning time. In addition to T2-weighted images a T1-weighted inversion recovery sequence with a short inversion time of 50 ms (IR 1000/50/40) adequately differentiated the three uterine zones. Although pathologic lesions of the uterus including leiomyomas, anomalies and carcinomas were well demonstrated, especially with the T2-weighted spin echo pulse sequence, further investigations are needed to evaluate the optimal technique for ultra low field MR imaging of uterine tumors.     

Magic sandwich echo relaxation mapping of anisotropic systems

The main objective of this article was (i) to refocus the residual dipolar and quadrupolar interactions in anisotropic tissues employing magic sandwich echo (MSE) imaging and to compare the results with that of conventional spin-echo (SE) imaging, and (ii) to quantify MSE relaxation and dispersion characteristics in bovine Achilles tendon and compare with spin-lattice relaxation time constant in the rotating frame (T(1rho)). Magic sandwich echo weighted images are approximately 75-100% higher in signal-to-noise ratio than the corresponding T(2)-weighted images. Magic sandwich echo relaxation times varied from 13+/-2 to 19+/-3 ms (mean+/-S.D.), depending upon the structural location of tendon. T(2) relaxation times only varied from 4+/-1 to 10+/-3 ms (mean+/-S.D.) on the same corresponding locations. Magic sandwich echo provides approximately 100% enhancement in relaxation times compared to T(2). Preliminary results based on bovine Achilles tendon and cartilage specimens suggest that the MSE technique has potential for refocusing residual dipolar as well as quadrupolar interactions in anisotropic systems and yields higher intensities than conventional SE imaging as well as T(1rho)-encoded imaging, especially at low-burst pulse amplitudes (250 and 500 Hz).     

Feasibility of free-breathing T1-weighted 3D radial VIBE for fetal MRI in various anomalies

Rationale and objectivesIn magnetic resonance (MR) fetal imaging, the image quality acquired by the traditional Cartesian-sampled breath-hold T1-weighted (T1W) sequence may be degraded by motion artifacts arising from both mother and fetus. The radial VIBE sequence is reported to be a viable alternative to conventional Cartesian acquisition for both pediatric and adult MR, yielding better image quality. This study evaluated the role of radial VIBE in fetal MR imaging and compared its image quality and motion artifacts with those of the Cartesian T1W sequence.Materials and methodsWe included 246 pregnant women with 50 lesions on 1.5-T MR imaging. Image quality and lesion conspicuity were evaluated by two radiologists, blinded to the acquisition schemes used, using a five-point scale, where a higher score indicated a better trajectory method. Mixed-model analysis of variance and interobserver variability assessment were performed.ResultsThe radial VIBE sequence showed a significantly better performance than conventional T1W imaging in the head and neck, fetal body, and placenta region: 3.92 ± 0.88 vs 3 ± 0.74, p < 0.001, 3.8 ± 0.94 vs 3.15 ± 0.87, p < 0.001, and 4.17 ± 0.63 vs 3.12 ± 0.72, p < 0.001, respectively. Additionally, fewer motion artifacts were observed in all regions with the radial VIBE sequence (p < 0.01). Of 50 lesions, 49 presented better lesion conspicuity on radial VIBE images than on T1W images (4.34 ± 0.91 vs 3.48 ± 1.46, p < 0.001).ConclusionFor fetal imaging, the radial VIBE sequences yielded better image quality and lesion conspicuity, with fewer motion artifacts, than conventional breath-hold Cartesian-sampled T1W sequences.