Development and initial evaluation of 7-T q-ball imaging of the human brain

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) noninvasively depicts white matter connectivity in regions where the Gaussian model of diffusion is valid but yields inaccurate results in those where diffusion has a more complex distribution, such as fiber crossings. q-ball imaging (QBI) overcomes this limitation of DTI by more fully characterizing the angular dependence of intravoxel diffusion with larger numbers of diffusion-encoding directional measurements at higher diffusion-weighting factors (b values). However, the former technique results in longer acquisition times and the latter technique results in a lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In this project, we developed specialized 7-T acquisition methods utilizing novel radiofrequency pulses, eight-channel parallel imaging EPI and high-order shimming with a phase-sensitive multichannel B0 field map reconstruction. These methods were applied in initial healthy adult volunteer studies, which demonstrated the feasibility of performing 7-T QBI. Preliminary comparisons of 3 T with 7 T within supratentorial crossing white matter tracts documented a 79.5% SNR increase for b=3000 s/mm2 (P=.0001) and a 38.6% SNR increase for b=6000 s/mm2 (P=.015). With spherical harmonic reconstruction of the q-ball orientation distribution function at b=3000 s/mm2, 7-T QBI allowed for accurate visualization of crossing fiber tracts with fewer diffusion-encoding acquisitions as compared with 3-T QBI. The improvement of 7-T QBI at b factors as high as 6000 s/mm2 resulted in better angular resolution as compared with 3-T QBI for depicting fibers crossing at shallow angles. Although the increased susceptibility effects at 7 T caused problematic distortions near brain-air interfaces at the skull base and posterior fossa, these initial 7-T QBI studies demonstrated excellent quality in much of the supratentorial brain, with significant improvements as compared with 3-T acquisitions in the same individuals.     

Geometric analysis of the b-dependent effects of Rician signal noise on diffusion tensor imaging estimates and determining an optimal b value

The optimal diffusion weighting (DW) factor, b, for use in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies remains uncertain. In this study, the geometric relations of DW quantities are examined, in particular, the effects of Rician noise in the measured magnetic resonance signal. This geometric analysis is used to make theoretical predictions for selecting a b value to reduce the influence of noise. It is shown that the optimal b value for DTI studies in healthy human parenchyma is approximately b=1200 s mm⁻², with a simple relation given as well for a given expected apparent diffusion coefficient. Monte-Carlo simulations on sets of realistic DTI measures are then performed, verifying the optimal DW for minimizing estimate errors. The effects of noise on various DTI parameters such as anisotropy indices (fractional anisotropy and scaled relative anisotropy), mean diffusivity, radial diffusivity, eigenvalues and the direction of the first eigenvector are investigated as well.     

Diffusion tensor imaging to study anisotropy in a particular porous system: the trabecular bone network

During the last decade, considerable effort has been invested into the development of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) mainly used to investigate cerebral morphology. The aim of this paper is to review and to discuss our recent results about high magnetic field DTI application to study spongy bone tissue. Due to its peculiar properties, spongy bone represents a particular porous system sample. Strategies to perform DTI on porous systems and issues linked to DTI outcome interpretation are presented on the basis of our results concerning trabecular bone network characterization.     

Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging of the normal breast

Purpose

The objective of this study was to evaluate diffusion anisotropy of the breast parenchyma and assess the range and repeatability of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters in normal breast tissue.

Materials and Methods

The study was approved by our institutional review board and included 12 healthy females (median age, 36 years). Diffusion tensor imaging was performed at 1.5 T using a diffusion-weighted echo planar imaging sequence. Diffusion tensor imaging parameters including tensor eigenvalues (λ₁, λ₂, λ₃), fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were measured for anterior, central and posterior breast regions.

Results

Mean normal breast DTI measures were λ₁=2.51×10⁻³ mm²/s, λ₂=1.89×10⁻³ mm²/s, λ₃=1.39×10⁻³ mm²/s, ADC=1.95±0.24×10⁻³ mm²/s and FA=0.29±0.05 for b=600 s/mm². Significant regional differences were observed for both FA and ADC (P<.05), with higher ADC in the central breast and higher FA in the posterior breast. Comparison of DTI values calculated using b=0, 600 s/mm² vs. b=0, 1000 s/mm², showed significant differences in ADC (P<.001), but not FA. Repeatability assessment produced within-subject coefficient of variations of 4.5% for ADC and 11.4% for FA measures.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates anisotropy of water diffusion in normal breast tissue and establishes a normative range of breast FA values. Attention to the influence of breast region and b value on breast DTI measurements may be important for clinical interpretation and standardization of techniques.     

Automated assessment of the quality of diffusion tensor imaging data using color cast of color-encoded fractional anisotropy images

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data often suffer from artifacts caused by motion. These artifacts are especially severe in DTI data from infants, and implementing tight quality controls is therefore imperative for DTI studies of infants. Currently, routine procedures for quality assurance of DTI data involve the slice-wise visual inspection of color-encoded, fractional anisotropy (CFA) images. Such procedures often yield inconsistent results across different data sets, across different operators who are examining those data sets, and sometimes even across time when the same operator inspects the same data set on two different occasions. We propose a more consistent, reliable, and effective method to evaluate the quality of CFA images automatically using their color cast, which is calculated on the distribution statistics of the 2D histogram in the color space as defined by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) on lightness and a and b (LAB) for the color-opponent dimensions (also known as the CIELAB color space) of the images. Experimental results using DTI data acquired from neonates verified that this proposed method is rapid and accurate. The method thus provides a new tool for real-time quality assurance for DTI data.     

Reduced field-of-view diffusion-weighted imaging of the brain at 7 T

Ventral and rostral regions of the brain are of emerging importance for the MRI characterization of early dementia, traumatic brain injury and epilepsy. Unfortunately, standard single-shot echo planar diffusion-weighted imaging of these regions at high fields is contaminated by severe imaging artifacts in the vicinity of air–tissue interfaces. To mitigate these artifacts and improve visualization of the temporal and frontal lobes at 7 T, we applied a reduced field-of-view strategy, enabled by outer volume suppression (OVS) with novel quadratic phase radiofrequency (RF) pulses, combined with partial Fourier and parallel imaging methods. The new acquisition greatly reduced the level of artifacts in six human subjects (including four patients with early symptoms of dementia).     

In vivo imaging of the human brain at 1.5 T with 0.6-mm isotropic resolution

We present high-resolution in vivo anatomical scans with 3D whole-brain coverage and an isotropic resolution of 0.6 mm, obtained at a clinical field of 1.5 T. The data are acquired in 10 independent scans over two sessions using a 3D magnetization-prepared, gradient echo sequence, modified to output phase images in addition to magnitude images. The independent scans are coregistered to correct for head motion, prior to performing complex averaging. The resolution of the final, averaged image, is found to be equal to the nominal one.     

Diffusion-weighted imaging of the brain at 7 T with echo-planar and turbo spin echo sequences: preliminary results

Ultra-high-field clinical MRI scanners (e.g., 7 T and above) are becoming increasingly prevalent and can potentially enhance diagnostic ability through higher contrast, resolution and/or sensitivity. Diffusion-weighted MRI is a highly valued component in today's radiological exam and may benefit from the enhanced signal-to-noise ratio provided by high field with the appropriate imaging strategy. The most common diffusion pulse sequence readout (echo-planar imaging (EPI)) has been widely employed for in vivo human 7 T diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). In this article, we present results of brain DTI at 7 T with two diffusion-weighted imaging pulse sequence readouts: echo-planar imaging (EPI-DTI) and turbo spin echo (TSE-DTI). Results indicate that analogous coverage, quality and resolution typical of lower field (2 mm) can be obtained by properly processed EPI-DTI at 7 T, and, with some reduction in efficiency and sharpness, TSE-DTI at 7 T. Furthermore, 7 T TSE-DTI shows promise in obtaining higher-resolution results in targeted acquisitions of specific brain areas.     

High-resolution in vivo diffusion tensor imaging of the injured cat spinal cord using self-navigated,interleaved, variable-density spiral acquisition (SNAILS-DTI)

Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTI) is useful for studying the microstructural changes in the spinal cord following traumatic injury; however, image quality is generally poor due to the small size of the spinal cord, physiological motion and susceptibility artifacts. Self-navigated, interleaved, variable-density spiral diffusion tensor imaging (SNAILS-DTI) is a distinctive pulse sequence that bypasses many of the challenges associated with DTI of the spinal cord, particularly if imaging gradient hardware is of conventional quality. In the current study, we have demonstrated the feasibility of implementing SNAILS-DTI on a clinical 3.0-T MR scanner and examined the effect of navigator filter parameters on image quality and reconstruction time. Results demonstrate high-quality, high-resolution (546 μm×546 μm) in vivo DTI images of the cat spinal cord after traumatic spinal cord injury.     

SPatial REgression Analysis of Diffusion tensor imaging (SPREAD) for longitudinal progression of neurodegenerative disease in individual subjects

Objectives

To develop a novel statistical method for analysis of longitudinal DTI data in individual subjects.

Materials and Methods

The proposed SPatial REgression Analysis of Diffusion tensor imaging (SPREAD) method incorporates a spatial regression fitting of DTI data among neighboring voxels and a resampling method among data at different times. Both numerical simulations and real DTI data from healthy volunteers and multiple sclerosis (MS) patients were used in the study to evaluate this method.

Results

Statistical inference based on SPREAD was shown to perform well through both group comparisons among simulated DTI data of individuals (especially when the group size is smaller than 5) and longitudinal comparisons of human DTI data within the same individual.

Conclusions

When pathological changes of neurodegenerative diseases are heterogeneous in a population, SPREAD provides a unique way to assess abnormality during disease progression at the individual level. Consequently, it has the potential to shed light on how the brain has changed as a result of disease or injury.     

High resolution diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the pancreas using reduced field of view single-shot echo-planar imaging at 3 T

Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) has been mostly acquired using single-shot echo-planar imaging (ss EPI) to minimize motion induced artifacts. The spatial resolution, however, is inherently limited in ss EPI especially for abdominal imaging, even with the advances in parallel imaging. A novel method of reduced Field of View ss EPI (rFOV ss EPI) has achieved high resolution DWI in human carotid artery, spinal cord with reduced blurring and higher spatial resolution than conventional ss EPI, but it has not been used to pancreas imaging. In the work, comparisons between the full FOV ss-DW EPI and rFOV ss-DW EPI in image qualities and ADC values of pancreatic tumors and normal pancreatic tissues were performed to demonstrate the feasibility of pancreatic high resolution rFOV DWI. There were no significant differences in the mean ADC values between full FOV DWI and rFOV DWI for the 17 subjects using b = 600 s/mm² (P = 0.962). However, subjective scores of image quality was significantly higher at rFOV ss DWI (P = 0.008 and 0.000 for b-value = 0 s/mm² and 600 s/mm² respectively). The spatial resolution of DWI for pancreas was increased by a factor of over 2.0 (from almost 3.0 mm/pixel to 1.25 mm/pixel) using rFOV ss EPI technique. Reduced FOV ss EPI can provide good DW images and is promising to benefit applications for pancreatic diseases.     

Measurement of glutathione in human brain at 3T using an improved double quantum filter in vivo

A single voxel proton NMR double quantum filter (DQF) for measurement of glutathione (GSH) in human brain at 3T is reported. Yield enhancement for the CH₂ resonances of the cysteine moiety at 2.95 ppm has been achieved by means of dual encoding. After the preparation of double quantum and zero quantum coherences (DQC and ZQC) at equal magnitude, the first DQC encoding was followed by interchange of DQC and ZQC, and another DQC encoding. The multi-quantum coherences were fully utilized to generate a GSH target signal at 2.95 ppm. The optimal echo time and the editing efficiency were obtained with numerical analysis of the filtering performance and phantom measurements. The dual-DQC encoding method provided GSH yield greater by a factor of 2.1 than single-DQC encoding for identical slice-selective RF pulses in phantom tests. Using the phantom relaxation times and the ratio of edited GSH to N-acetylaspartate (NAA) 2.0-ppm peak areas, the concentration of GSH in the medial parietal cortex of the healthy human brain in vivo was estimated to be 1.0 ± 0.3 mM (mean ± SD, n = 7), with reference to NAA at 10 mM.     

Mapping the human brain white matter tracts relative to cortical and deep gray matter using diffusion tensor imaging at high spatial resolution

The mapping of the human brain white matter fiber networks relative to deep subcortical and cortical gray matter requires high spatial resolution which is challenged by the low signal-to-noise ratio. The purpose of this short report was to introduce a whole brain high spatial resolution diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) protocol that enabled for the first time the mapping of corticopontocerebellar, frontostriatal and thalamofrontal fiber pathways in addition to other limbic, commissural, association and projection white matter pathways relative to the segmented deep gray (e.g., caudate nuclei) and the cortical lobes. Our DTI acquisition protocol and analysis strategy provide important template for brain-behavior research and for teaching brain mapping and are clinically affordable for patient comfort.     

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the spleen in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension

Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension on diffusion coefficients of the spleen.

Material and Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 50 patients with liver cirrhosis and 50 patients without any history of liver disease who underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the upper abdomen, including echo planar diffusion-weighted imaging using b values of 50, 300 and 600 mm²/s. Spleen apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), liver ADC, muscle ADC and normalized spleen ADC (defined as the ratio of spleen ADC to muscle ADC) were compared between cirrhotic patients and patients in the control group and correlated with Child–Pugh stages. Reproducibility was assessed by measuring interclass correlation coefficient (n = 11). Additionally, in eight patients, ADC measurements were performed 1 day before and 3 days after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPSS) implantation.

Results

Compared with control subjects, patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension had significantly higher spleen ADCs (P = .0001). There was a statistically significant correlation between Child–Pugh grade and spleen ADC (Pearson correlation coefficient, observer 1 r = 0.6, P = .0001; observer 2 r = 0.5, P = .0001). After TIPSS implantation, we observed a reduction in spleen ADC values. Spleen ADC measurements showed a high reproducibility (interclass correlation coefficient 0.75, P = .001).

Conclusion

Our data suggest that different stages of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension correlate with ADC values of the spleen. Furthermore, ADC values of the spleen decrease after TIPSS implantation. Further studies are required to understand the potential clinical values of these observations.     

Intravoxel incoherent motion imaging of the kidney: alterations in diffusion and perfusion in patients with renal dysfunction

Purpose

To investigate the relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and parameters calculated using intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging of the kidneys.

Materials and Methods

We studied 365 patients, divided into 4 groups based on eGFR levels (mL/min/1.73 m²): group 1, eGFR ≥ 80(n = 80); group 2, eGFR 60–80 (n = 156); group 3, eGFR 30–60 (n = 114); and group 4 ,eGFR < 30 (n = 15). IVIM imaging was used to acquire diffusion-weighted images at 12 b values. The diffusion coefficient of pure molecular diffusion (D), the diffusion coefficient of microcirculation or perfusion (D*), and perfusion fraction (f) were compared among the groups using group 1 as control.

Results

In the renal cortex, D* values were significantly lower in groups 2, 3, and 4 than in group 1. The D value of renal cortex was significantly low in only group 3. In the renal medulla, the D* and D values were significantly lower only in groups 2 and 3, respectively.

Conclusion

As renal dysfunction progresses, renal perfusion might be reduced earlier and affected more than molecular diffusion in the renal cortex. These changes are effectively detected by IVIM MR imaging.     

Novel peak assignments of in vivo (13)C MRS in human brain at 1.5 T

(13)C MRS studies at natural abundance and after intravenous 1-(13)C glucose infusion were performed on a 1.5-T clinical scanner in four subjects. Localization to the occipital cortex was achieved by a surface coil. In natural abundance spectra glucose C(3beta,5beta), myo-inositol, glutamate C(1,2,5), glutamine C(1,2,5), N-acetyl-aspartate C(1-4,C=O), creatine CH(2), CH(3), and C(C=N), taurine C(2,3), bicarbonate HCO(-)(3) were identified. After glucose infusion (13)C enrichment of glucose C(1alpha,1beta), glutamate C(1-4), glutamine C(1-4), aspartate C(2,3), N-acetyl-aspartate C(2,3), lactate C(3), alanine C(3), and HCO(-)(3) were observed. The observation of (13)C enrichment of resonances resonating at >150 ppm is an extension of previously published studies and will provide a more precise determination of metabolic rates and substrate decarboxylation in human brain.     

A comparative study of myo-inositol quantification using LCmodel at 1.5 T and 3.0 T with 3 D 1H proton spectroscopic imaging of the human brain

Myo-inositol is a strongly coupled system and resonates at four chemical shift positions. At 1.5 T, only the singlet component at 3.57 ppm is detected. However, at 3 T this resonance is resolved into its components at 3.55 ppm and 3.61 ppm. Due to the increased spectral resolution and signal-to-noise ratio, it is anticipated that the quantification of myo-inositol should improve at 3 T. Using data from normal controls and the LCmodel quantification procedure, we found that the quantification precision, reproducibility and detection sensitivity of myo-inositol is significantly better at 3 T relative to 1.5 T.     

In vivo NMR imaging and T1 measurements of water protons in the human brain

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) proton density images of the human brain have been made by the FONAR method. Spin-lattice relaxation times, T₁, of water hydrogen protons have been determined at random positions within frontal and temporal regions of the human brain. The primary purpose of this ongoing research is to accumulate a large data base of normal T₁ values for water protons in normal human brain tissue. Our experience to data includes 31 measurements on 18 volunteer subjects, and the mean value ± standard deviation is 215 ± 42 msec. In addition, two metastatic lesions of the brain were studied and found to have T₁ values longer than those for normal brain tissue.     

Facile Synthesis of Gd(OH)3‐Doped Fe3O4 Nanoparticles for Dual‐Mode T1‐ and T2‐Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Applications

The facile hydrothermal synthesis of polyethyleneimine (PEI)‐coated iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles (NPs) doped with Gd(OH)₃ (Fe₃O₄‐Gd(OH)₃‐PEI NPs) for dual mode T₁‐ and T₂‐weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging applications is reported. In this approach, Fe₃O₄‐Gd(OH)₃‐PEI NPs are synthesized via a hydrothermal method in the presence of branched PEI and Gd(III) ions. The PEI coating onto the particle surfaces enables further modification of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in order to render the particles with good water dispersibility and improved biocompatibility. The formed Fe₃O₄‐Gd(OH)₃‐PEI‐PEG NPs have a Gd/Fe molar ratio of 0.25:1 and a mean particle size of 14.4 nm and display a relatively high r₂ (151.37 × 10^?3m ^?1 s^?1) and r₁ (5.63 × 10^?3m ^?1 s^?1) relaxivity, affording their uses as a unique contrast agent for T₁‐ and T₂‐weighted MR imaging of rat livers after mesenteric vein injection of the particles and the mouse liver after intravenous injection of the particles, respectively. The developed Fe₃O₄‐Gd(OH)₃‐PEI‐PEG NPs may hold great promise to be used as a contrast agent for dual mode T₁‐ and T₂‐weighted self‐confirmation MR imaging of different biological systems.