Spin lock and magnetization transfer MR imaging of focal liver lesions

The present study was designed to evaluate tissue contrast characteristics obtained with the spin-lock (SL) technique by comparing the results with those generated with a magnetization transfer(MT)-weighted gradient echo [GRE, echo-time (TE) = 40 ms] sequence. Twenty-eight patients with hepatic hemangiomas (n = 14), or metastatic liver lesions (n = 14) were imaged at 0.1 T by using identical imaging parameters. Gradient echo, single–slice off-resonance MT, and multiple-slice SL sequences were obtained. SL and MT-effects were measured from the focal liver lesions and from normal liver parenchyma. In addition, tissue contrast values for the liver lesions were determined. Statistically significant difference between the SL-effects of the hemangiomas and metastases, and also between the MT-effects of the lesions was observed (p < 0.02). Tissue contrast values for the lesions proved to be quite similar between the SL and MT techniques. Our results indicate that at 0.1 T multiple-slice SL imaging provides MT based tissue contrast characteristics in tissues rich in protein with good imaging efficiency and wide anatomical coverage, and with reduced motion and susceptibility artifacts.     

Effectiveness Evaluation of the Fat Percentage Determination in Multi-Echo T2-Corrected Single-Voxel Spectroscopy by Comparing the 3-Point Dixon and the 6-Point Interference Dixon Techniques

This study compared fat percentage in the HISTO method and chemical-shift imaging method, a 3-echo 3D gradient echo sequence with a T2*-corrected Dixon (3-point Dixon) and 6-echo interference Dixon magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (6-point Dixon) method, to evaluate clinical significance of fatty liver quantification by multi-echo T2*-corrected single-voxel spectroscopy Histo (HISTO). A total of 21 liver donors underwent MR imaging examination. The 3-T MR system (Siemens Healthcare Tim Verio, Erlangen, Germany) was used for all studies. For fat percentage evaluations, a 3-echo 3D gradient echo sequence with T2*-corrected Dixon (3-point Dixon) and 6-Echo Interference Dixon (6-point Dixon) pulse sequences, including HISTO, were applied in sequence. Using fat percentages obtained from each pulse sequence, levels of fatty liver were classified as: non-fatty liver, <5 %; mild fatty liver, >5 but <31 %; and severe fatty liver, >31 %. The correlation between methods was calculated with a correlation coefficient (R ²): HISTO and 3-point Dixon, 0.936 (p < 0.001); HISTO and 6-point Dixon, 0.944 (p < 0.001); and 3-point Dixon and 6-point Dixon, 0.984 (p < 0.001). The HISTO, which was used to investigate fat percentages after T2* correction, showed a high correlation with 3-point Dixon and 6-point Dixon, suggesting that the multi-echo method is useful for accurately determining fat percentages.     

GD-enhanced 3D phase-contrast MR angiography and dynamic perfusion imaging in the diagnosis of renal artery stenosis

The objective of this study was to investigate the role of contrast enhancement using a three-dimensional (3D) phase-contrast (PC) magnetic resonance (MR) sequence (3D PC-MRA) and to assess the value of a dynamic MR perfusion study of the kidneys to determine the hemodynamic relevance of unilateral renal artery stenosis (RAS). Seventeen patients with unilateral RAS were examined on a standard 1.0 T imaging system using a phase shift and magnitude sensitive 3D PC sequence (TR = 160 ms, TE = 9 ms, venc. 30 cm/s). Following the initial pre-contrast 3D PC-MRA a dynamic first pass perfusion study was performed using a Turbo-FLASH 2D sequence (TR = 4.5 ms, TE = 2.2 ms, TI = 400 ms) after bolus injection of 0.15 mmol gadolinium-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA)/kg body weight. The 3D PC-MRA was then repeated during infusion of 0.15 mmol Gd-DTPA/kg body weight. Evaluation by three independent readers was based on maximum intensity projection images. Source images were rendered on request. Signal intensity (SI) over time curves of the renal cortex were obtained from the dynamic perfusion study and analyzed for maximum signal enhancement as well as temporal relationship to the aortic SI curve. Results from 3D PC-MRA revealed a sensitivity (pre-/post-contrast) of 100%/89%, specificity of 76%/63%, positive predictive value of 80%/69%, negative predictive value of 90%/78%, and accuracy of 85%/75% (p = 0.07). Interobserver agreement was κ = 0.61/κ = 0.47 (pre/post Gd-DTPA), respectively. Increased signal-to-noise was present in all segments of the renal arteries post contrast (p = 0.0003). This came along with image degradation due to aliasing and elevated SI of venous flow that partially obscured the renal arteries. Dynamic SI curves showed a significantly decreased maximum SI in RAS (p = 0.01–0.001). A temporal delay of cortical signal intensity enhancement could not be confirmed in this setting. Gd-enhanced 3D PC-MRA did not yield a superior diagnostic value in the diagnosis of RAS compared to pre-contrast measurements. Dynamic perfusion imaging of the kidneys, in combination with 3D PC-MRA, can contribute additional information in suspected unilateral RAS.     

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Rat C6 Glioma Model Enhanced by Using Water-Soluble Gadolinium Fullerene

Water-soluble gadofullerene Gd@Ful with composition Gd³⁺@C₈₂(OH) _X ^3– (x ~ 20) was synthesized for theranostic study. Nanosuspensions of Gd@Ful were used for magnetic relaxation measurements in vitro and for magnetic resonance imaging of a rat with intracranially implanted C6 glioma. Gd@Ful was shown to reduce proton relaxation times in vitro and provide dual contrast of T ₁- and T ₂-weighted images in a rat brain tumor model after paramagnetic intravenous delivery. Magnetic relaxation times of water protons under action of Gd@Ful were strongly shortened due to cluster formation and increase of motional correlation times of protons in the vicinity of the fullerene cage. The Gd@Ful administration promoted the improvement of glioma contrast enhancement at T ₂-weighted images due to accumulation of paramagnetic substance at the tumor site. The contrast efficiency of Gd@Ful corresponds to the characteristics of negative contrast agent. The Gd@Ful nanosuspension is shown to be a contrast enhancer with high anti-tumor therapeutic potency. The retention of the Gd@Ful in the tumor resulted in a 75 % increase in survival times of the tumor-bearing animals.     

Evaluating renal arterial wall by non-enhanced 2D and 3D free-breathing black-blood techniques: Initial experience

ObjectivesTo evaluate the feasibility and reproducibility of 2D and 3D black-blood sequences in measuring morphology of renal arterial wall.MethodsThe 2D and 3D imaging sequences used variable-refocusing-flip-angle and constant-low-refocusing-flip-angle turbo spin echo (TSE) readout respectively, with delicately selected black-blood scheme and respiratory motion trigger for free-breathing imaging. Fourteen healthy subjects and three patients with Takayasu arteritis underwent renal artery wall imaging with 3D double inversion recovery (DIR) TSE and 2D Variable Flip Angle-TSE (VFA-TSE) black-blood sequences at 3.0 T. Four healthy subjects were randomly selected for scan-rescan reproducibility experiments. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and morphology of arterial wall were measured and compared using paired-t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test between 2D and 3D sequences. The inter-observer, intra-observer and scan-rescan agreements of above measurements were determined using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).ResultsThe 2D and 3D imaging sequences showed similar morphological measurements (lumen area, wall area, mean wall thickness and maximum wall thickness) of renal arterial wall (all P > 0.05) and excellent agreement (ICC: 0.853–0.954). Compared to 2D imaging, 3D imaging exhibited significantly lower SNR_lumen (P < 0.01) and SNR_wall (P = 0.037), similar contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) (P = 0.285), and higher CNR efficiency (CNR_eff) (P < 0.01). Both 2D and 3D imaging showed good to excellent inter-observer (ICC: 0.723–0.997), intra-observer (ICC: 0.749–0.996) and scan-rescan (ICC: 0.710–0.992) reproducibility in measuring renal arterial wall morphology, SNR and CNR, respectively.ConclusionsBoth high-resolution free-breathing 2D VFA-TSE and 3D DIR TSE black-blood sequences are feasible and reproducible in high-resolution renal arterial wall imaging. The 2D imaging has high SNR, whereas 3D imaging has high imaging efficiency.     

Detection of T2 changes in an early mouse brain tumor

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of early tumor growth on T₂ relaxation times in an experimental glioma model. A 9.4-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system was used for the investigations. An animal model (n=12) of glioma was established using an intracranial inoculation of U87MGdEGFRvIII cells. The imaging studies were performed from Day 10 through Day 13 following tumor inoculation. Tumor blood vessel density was determined using quantitative immunochemistry. Tumor volume was measured daily using MR images. T₂ values of the tumor were measured in five areas across the tumor and calculated using a single exponential fitting of the echo train. The measurements on Days 10 and 13 after tumor inoculation showed a 20% increase in T₂. The changes in T₂ correlated with the size of the tumor. Statistically significant differences in T₂ values were observed between the edge of the tumor and the brain tissue on Days 11, 12 and 13 (P=.014, .008, .001, respectively), but not on Day 10 (P=.364). The results show that T₂-weighted MRI may not detect glioma during an early phase of growth. T₂ increases in growing glioma and varies heterogenously across the tumor.     

Improved T(1)-weighted dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI to probe microvascularity and heterogeneity of human glioma

Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) T(1)-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful tool capable of providing quantitative assessment of contrast uptake and characterization of microvascular structure in human gliomas. The kinetics of the bolus injection doped with increasing concentrations of gadopentate dimeglumine (Gd-DTPA) depends on tissue as well as pulse sequence parameters. A simple method is described that overcomes the limitation of relative signal increase measurement and may lead to improved accuracy in quantification of perfusion indices of glioma. Based on an analysis of the contrast behavior of spoiled gradient-recalled echo sequence; a parameter K with arbitrary unit 5.0 is introduced, which provides a better approximation to the differential T(1) relaxation rate. DCE-MRI measurements of relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) and cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were calculated in 25 patients with brain tumors (15=high-grade glioma, 10=low-grade glioma). The mean rCBV was 6.46 +/- 2.45 in high-grade glioma and 2.89 +/- 1.47 in the low-grade glioma. The rCBF was 3.94 +/- 1.47 in high-grade glioma while 2.25 +/- 0.87 in low-grade glioma. A significant difference in rCBF and rCBV was found between high- and low-grade gliomas. This simple and robust technique reveals the complexity of tumor vasculature and heterogeneity that may aid in therapeutic management especially in nonenhancing high-grade gliomas. We conclude that the precontrast medium steady-state residue parameter K may be useful in improved quantification of perfusion indices in human glioma using T(1)-weighted DCE-MRI.     

Large angle spin-echo imaging

A study was undertaken to assess the use of excitation flip angles greater than 90° for T₁ weighted spin-echo (SE) imaging with a single 180° refocusing pulse and short TR values. Theoretical predictions of signal intensity for SE images with excitation pulse angles of 90–180° were calculated based on the Bloch equations and then measured experimentally from MR images of MnCl₂ phantoms of various concentrations. Liver signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) and liver-spleen contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) were measured from breathhold MR images of the upper abdomen in 16 patients using 90 and 110° excitation flip angles. The theoretical predictions showed significant improvements in SNR with excitation flip angles >90°, which were more pronounced at small TR values. The phantom studies showed reasonably good agreement with the theoretical predictions in correlating the excitation pulse angle with signal intensity. In the human imaging studies, the 110° excitation pulse angle resulted in a 7.4% (p < .01) increase in liver SNR and an 8.2% (p = .2) increase in liver-spleen CNR compared to the 90° pulse angle at TR = 275 ms. Increased signal intensity resulting from the use of large flip angle excitation pulses with a single echo SE pulse sequence was predicted and confirmed experimentally in phantoms and humans.     

A fast screening protocol for carotid plaques imaging using 3D multi-contrast MRI without contrast agent

PurposeTo implement a fast (~ 15 min) MRI protocol for carotid plaque screening using 3D multi-contrast MRI sequences without contrast agent on a 3 Tesla MRI scanner.Materials and methods7 healthy volunteers and 25 patients with clinically confirmed transient ischemic attack or suspected cerebrovascular ischemia were included in this study. The proposed protocol, including 3D T1-weighted and T2-weighted SPACE (variable-flip-angle 3D turbo spin echo), and T1-weighted magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo (MPRAGE) was performed first and was followed by 2D T1-weighted and T2-weighted turbo spin echo, and post-contrast T1-weighted SPACE sequences. Image quality, number of plaques, and vessel wall thicknesses measured at the intersection of the plaques were evaluated and compared between sequences.ResultsAverage examination time of the proposed protocol was 14.6 min. The average image quality scores of 3D T1-weighted, T2-weighted SPACE, and T1-weighted magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo were 3.69, 3.75, and 3.48, respectively. There was no significant difference in detecting the number of plaques and vulnerable plaques using pre-contrast 3D images with or without post-contrast T1-weighted SPACE. The 3D SPACE and 2D turbo spin echo sequences had excellent agreement (R = 0.96 for T1-weighted and 0.98 for T2-weighted, p < 0.001) regarding vessel wall thickness measurements.ConclusionThe proposed protocol demonstrated the feasibility of attaining carotid plaque screening within a 15-minute scan, which provided sufficient anatomical coverage and critical diagnostic information. This protocol offers the potential for rapid and reliable screening for carotid plaques without contrast agent.     

Contrast enhanced maximum intensity projection ultrasound imaging for assessing angiogenesis in murine glioma and breast tumor models: A comparative study

The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare noninvasive, quantitative measures of vascularity obtained from four contrast enhanced ultrasound (US) techniques to four invasive immunohistochemical markers of tumor angiogenesis in a large group of murine xenografts. Glioma (C6) or breast cancer (NMU) cells were implanted in 144 rats. The contrast agent Optison (GE Healthcare, Princeton, NJ) was injected in a tail vein (dose: 0.4 ml/kg). Power Doppler imaging (PDI), pulse-subtraction harmonic imaging (PSHI), flash-echo imaging (FEI), and Microflow imaging (MFI; a technique creating maximum intensity projection images over time) was performed with an Aplio scanner (Toshiba America Medical Systems, Tustin, CA) and a 7.5 MHz linear array. Fractional tumor neovascularity was calculated from digital clips of contrast US, while the relative area stained was calculated from specimens. Results were compared using a factorial, repeated measures ANOVA, linear regression and z-tests. The tortuous morphology of tumor neovessels was visualized better with MFI than with the other US modes. Cell line, implantation method and contrast US imaging technique were significant parameters in the ANOVA model (p < 0.05). The strongest correlation determined by linear regression in the C6 model was between PSHI and percent area stained with CD31 (r = 0.37, p < 0.0001). In the NMU model the strongest correlation was between FEI and COX-2 (r = 0.46, p < 0.0001). There were no statistically significant differences between correlations obtained with the various US methods (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the largest study of contrast US of murine xenografts to date has been conducted and quantitative contrast enhanced US measures of tumor neovascularity in glioma and breast cancer xenograft models appear to provide a noninvasive marker for angiogenesis; although the best method for monitoring angiogenesis was not conclusively established.     

A matched filter echo summation technique for MRI

A technique is presented to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in two-dimensional (2D), phase-encoded imaging at low SNR. The essence of this technique is to combine multiple echoes in the time domain. As analyzed in the paper, phase discrepancies exist among different echoes and may deteriorate the combined echo. In particular, extraneous phase shifts can be created if unshielded gradient coils are used. To overcome these phase discrepancies, a matched filter was derived from the k = 0 component of image. This matched filter has the same phase discrepancies among its echoes as the imaging signal and its magnitude decays with an average T₂. In the echo summation with the matched filter, the phase of the matched filter was subtracted from the imaging signal and the magnitude of the matched filter was used as the weighting function. We have shown that this matched filter echo summation technique has better SNR than the case of 2D, phase-encoded imaging in both simulation and experiment. The SNR improvement is up to 60% in a phantom experiment. This technique is mostly useful in low SNR imaging that requires long imaging time, such as spectroscopic imaging and ¹⁹F imaging.     

Field-map correction in read-out segmented echo planar imaging for reduced spatial distortion in prostate DWI for MRI-guided radiotherapy applications

Diffusion-weighted echo planar imaging (DW-EPI) suffers from geometric distortion due to low phase-encoding bandwidth. Read-out segmented echo planar imaging (RS-EPI) reduces distortion but residual distortion remains in extreme cases. Additional corrections need to be applied, especially for radiotherapy applications where a high degree of accuracy is needed. In this study the use of magnetic field map corrections are assessed in DW-EPI and RS-EPI, to reduce geometric uncertainty for MRI-guided radiotherapy applications. Magnetic field maps were calculated from gradient echo images and distortion corrections were applied to RS-EPI images. Distortions were assessed in a prostate phantom by comparing to the known geometry, and in vivo using a modified Hausdorff distance metric using a T2-weighted spin echo as ground truth. Across 10 patients, field map-corrected RS-EPI reduced maximum distortion by 5 mm on average compared to DW-EPI (σ = 1.9 mm). Geometric distortions were also reduced significantly using field mapping with RS-EPI, compared to RS-EPI alone (p ≤ 0.05). The increased geometric accuracy of these techniques can potentially allow diffusion-weighted images to be fused with other MR or CT images for radiotherapy treatment purposes.     

Flow versus permeability weighting in estimating the forward volumetric transfer constant (Ktrans) obtained by DCE-MRI with contrast agents of differing molecular sizes

PurposeTo quantify the differential plasma flow- (F_p-) and permeability surface area product per unit mass of tissue- (PS-) weighting in forward volumetric transfer constant (K^trans) estimates by using a low molecular (Gd-DTPA) versus high molecular (Gadomer) weight contrast agent in dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI.Materials and methodsDCE MRI was performed using a 7T animal scanner in 14 C57BL/6J mice syngeneic for TRAMP tumors, by administering Gd-DTPA (0.9 kD) in eight mice and Gadomer (35 kD) in the remainder. The acquisition time was 10 min with a sampling rate of one image every 2 s. Pharmacokinetic modeling was performed to obtain K^trans by using Extended Tofts model (ETM). In addition, the adiabatic approximation to the tissue homogeneity (AATH) model was employed to obtain the relative contributions of F_p and PS.ResultsThe K^trans values derived from DCE-MRI with Gd-DTPA showed significant correlations with both PS (r² = 0.64, p = 0.009) and F_p (r² = 0.57, p = 0.016), whereas those with Gadomer were found only significantly correlated with PS (r² = 0.96, p = 0.0003) but not with F_p (r² = 0.34, p = 0.111). A voxel-based analysis showed that K^trans approximated PS (< 30% difference) in 78.3% of perfused tumor volume for Gadomer, but only 37.3% for Gd-DTPA.ConclusionsThe differential contributions of F_p and PS in estimating K^trans values vary with the molecular weight of the contrast agent used. The macromolecular contrast agent resulted in K^trans values that were much less dependent on flow. These findings support the use of macromolecular contrast agents for estimating tumor vessel permeability with DCE-MRI.     

Clinical comparison of single-shot EPI,readout-segmented EPI and TGSE-BLADE for diffusion-weighted imaging of cerebellopontine angle tumors on 3 tesla

ObjectiveThe complex anatomical structures of cerebellopontine angle (CPA) pose a unique challenge to diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). This study aimed to compare the clinical utility of the prototypic 2D turbo gradient- and spin echo-BLADE-DWI (TGSE-BLADE-DWI) with that of readout-segmented echo-planar DWI (RESOLVE-DWI) and single-shot echo-planar DWI (SS-EPI-DWI) to visualize CPA anatomic structures and identify CPA tumors.MethodsA total of 8 volunteers and 36 patients with pathological CPA tumors were enrolled to perform the three DWI sequences at 3 T. Scan time of TGSE-BLADE-DWI, RESOLVE-DWI and SS-EPI-DWI was 5 min 51 s, 5 min 15 s and 1 min 22 s, respectively. Subjective analysis, including visualization of anatomical structures, geometric distortion, ghosting artifacts, lesion conspicuity, diagnostic confidence, and overall image quality of the three DWI sequences were scored and assessed. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of CPA tumors were measured and compared.ResultsA total of 39 lesions were identified, TGSE-BLADE-DWI detected all of them, RESOLVE-DWI 36 and SS-EPI-DWI 27. Significant differences were found in all the subjective parameters among the three DWI sequences (all p < 0.001). TGSE-BLADE-DWI was significantly better than RESOLVE-DWI in visualization of CPA anatomical structures, geometric distortion, ghosting artifacts, lesion conspicuity, diagnostic confidence, and overall image quality (all p < 0.01), and RESOLVE-DWI showed significantly superior performance than SS-EPI-DWI in all parameters (all p < 0.001). CNRs and ADCs were not significantly different among the three DWI sequences (p = 0.355, p = 0.590, respectively). No significant differences were detected between TGSE-BLADE-DWI SNR and RESOLVE-DWI SNR (p = 0.058), or TGSE-BLADE-DWI SNR and SS-EPI-DWI SNR (p = 0.155).ConclusionCompared with RESOLVE-DWI and SS-EPI-DWI, TGSE-BLADE-DWI minimized geometric distortions and ghosting artifacts and demonstrated an improved ability for depicting CPA tumors with better lesion conspicuity.SummaryGeometric distortions and ghosting artifacts are found at bone-air interfaces using conventional diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), which is a challenge for imaging cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumors. Our study validated that geometric distortions and ghosting artifacts were not present on 2D turbo gradient- and spin-echo-BLADE-DWI scans, making this technique useful for visualizing CPA anatomic structures and diagnosing CPA tumors.     

Simultaneous imaging of locus coeruleus and substantia nigra with a quantitative neuromelanin MRI approach

Quantitative MRI of neuromelanin (NM) containing structures (referred to as NM-MRI) in the brainstem, namely the locus coeruleus (LC) and substantia nigra (SN), may assist with the early detection of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) as well as differential diagnosis in the early disease stages. In this study, two gradient echo (GRE) sequences with magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) preparation pulses were developed to simultaneously image the LC and SN. This has been a challenge with NM-MRI techniques used in previous studies due to the relatively high specific absorption rate (SAR) induced by these techniques. In addition, a semi-automated quantitative analysis scheme was applied to estimate volumes and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) of the LC and SN based on segmentation of both structures. Compared to a T₁-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence typically used for simultaneous imaging of the LC and SN, the two GRE-MTC sequences exhibited improved performance in terms of higher sensitivity (in CNR) in imaging the SN and lower SAR during the scans. A multiple-measurement protocol was adopted as well so that motion degraded measurements could be removed and artifacts associated with motion could be corrected. The present approach has demonstrated advantages in image acquisition (lower SAR and higher sensitivity), image pre-processing (with motion correction) and quantitative image analysis (segmentation-based estimation of volume and CNR) when compared with existing NM-MRI approaches. This approach has potential for detection and monitoring of neurodegeneration in LC and SN in disease states including AD and PD.     

Non-Gaussian water diffusion kurtosis imaging of prostate cancer

Purpose

To evaluate the non-Gaussian water diffusion properties of prostate cancer (PCa) and determine the diagnostic performance of diffusion kurtosis (DK) imaging for distinguishing PCa from benign tissues within the peripheral zone (PZ), and assessing tumor lesions with different Gleason scores.

Materials and Methods

Nineteen patients who underwent diffusion weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging using multiple b-values and were pathologically confirmed with PCa were enrolled in this study. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was derived using a monoexponential model, while diffusion coefficient (D) and kurtosis (K) were determined using a DK model. Differences between the ADC, D and K values of benign PZ and PCa, as well as those of tumor lesions with Gleason scores of 6, 7 and ≥ 8 were assessed. Correlations between parameters D and K in PCa were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. ADC, D and K values were correlated with Gleason scores of 6, 7 and ≥ 8, respectively.

Results

ADC and D values were significantly (p < 0.001) lower in PCa (0.79 ± 0.14 μm²/ms and 1.56 ± 0.23 μm²/ms, respectively) compared to benign PZ (1.23 ± 0.19 μm²/ms and 2.54 ± 0.24 μm²/ms, respectively). K values were significantly (p < 0.001) greater in PCa (0.96 ± 0.20) compared to benign PZ (0.59 ± 0.08). D and K showed fewer overlapping values between benign PZ and PCa compared to ADC. There was a strong negative correlation between D and K values in PCa (Pearson correlation coefficient r = − 0.729; p < 0.001). ADC and K values differed significantly in tumor lesions with Gleason scores of 6, 7 and ≥ 8 (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively), although no significant difference was detected for D values (p = 0.325). Significant correlations were found between the ADC value and Gleason score (r = − 0.828; p < 0.001), as well as the K value and Gleason score (r = 0.729; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

DK model may add value in PCa detection and diagnosis. K potentially offers a new metric for assessment of PCa.     

Parameter optimization and calibration of 19F magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 Tesla

Fluorine-19 magnetic resonance imaging is limited by the fact that acquisition times are long and that high concentrations must be used in order to obtain good signal to noise. A significant improvement in signal to noise ratio may be brought about by the addition of Gd-DTPA, a paramagnetic agent which shortens T1. Images of phantoms containing trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) doped with Gd-DTPA were obtained using a standard spin echo sequence in a 1.5 T field. Interpulse times (TR and TE) and Gd-DTPA concentrations were optimized to yield maximum signal to noise ratios. The use of fast-field-echo scans to image fluorine is also demonstrated. Signal averaging successive FFE scans yields good signal to noise and resolution and may find clinical applicability in imaging areas subject to motion.     

Mismatch between Cerebral Blood Volume and Flow Index during Transient Focal Ischemia Studied with MRI and Gd-BOPTA

We investigated the regional and temporal changes in cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and vascular transit time in seven mongrel cats during 30 min transient focal ischemia, caused by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging was done at 4.7 T, using fast gradient echo T₂¹ weighted imaging and intravenous injection of gadolinium-BOPTA/Dimeglumine. During occlusion, the areas showing a blood volume change were predominantly within the middle cerebral artery territory and could be divided into areas showing either CBV increases or decreases. The area with decreased blood volume also had decreased blood flow as measured by our flow-based index (p < 0.05) and was located in the central territory of the middle cerebral artery. Peripheral to this region was an area showing increased blood volume but without significant CBF changes (p > 0.05). During reperfusion, the CBF increased in the entire zone showing changes in blood volume during occlusion, and remained significantly elevated until 45 min post-occlusion, while CBV remained elevated in the hyperemic rim for at least 2 h. The presence of a peri-ischemic zone showing flow/volume mismatch identified a region wherein baseline CBF is maintained by means of compensatory vasodilatation, but where the ratio of CBF to CBV is decreased. Dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium-BOPTA/Dimeglumine may be a valuable technique for the investigation of regional and temporal perturbations of hemodynamics during ischemia and reperfusion.     

Metal–Drug–Protein Assemblies: Gd3+ Self-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging,High-Sensitive Tumor-Targeting Imaging and Efficient Chemo-Phototherapy

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents are broadly employed for better clinical trials in MR imaging. Magnevist solution (Gd-DTPA), a clinical MRI contrast agent, possesses inherent shortcomings like poor r₁ relaxation, short half-time, nephrotoxicity, etc. To overcome these problems, Gd-DTPA-grafted protein assemblies (Gd-P-ABs) loading with anticancer drug cisplatin and photosentizer IR-780 are constructed via chelation of Gd³⁺. Gd-P-ABs exhibit dual MR/fluorescence (FL) imaging–guided chemo/photothermal therapy. Interestingly, Gd-P-ABs behave as aggregation-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging with an extremely high r₁ value of 26.391 s⁻¹ mm ⁻¹, which is about 5.5-fold larger than Gd-DTPA (≈4.8 s⁻¹ mm ⁻¹). Consequently, better MRI performance is presented with the same concentration of Gd ions. When exposed to acidic tumor microenvironment and light irradiation, Gd-P-ABs show significant drug release capacity. Good cell killing ability in vitro is also determined due to effective folate-targeting ability and high photo–heat conversion. In vivo MR/FL imaging results reveal that Gd-P-ABs possess high-sensitivity tumor-targeting imaging and long tumor retention, which are attributed to the folate-targeting ability and small size effect. Combined chemo/photothermal therapy in vivo demonstrates that the tumor can be eventually ablated. Altogether, the Gd-P-ABs possess great potential for clinical imaging-guided tumor therapy.