核磁共振骨皮质成像关键技术研究进展

骨质量尤其是骨皮质质量的评价方法对骨病的诊断和治疗有重要意义. 随着社会快速老龄化, 如何非侵入地获得准确实用的骨质量评价指标已成为医学物理领域亟待解决的热点问题. 目前有多种骨质量评价方法, 其中双能X射线吸收法获得的骨矿密度值是评价骨质量的现行金标准, 但这个参数有明显缺陷, 如不能反映骨皮质中的有机基质、微结构、孔隙度及灌注等情况, 所以不能准确诊断骨质疏松和预测骨折等疾病. 由于骨的磁共振信号衰减极快,所以常规磁共振成像技术不能探测到骨的信号. 近年来随着理论、方法和设备的不断进步, 超短回波磁共振骨成像成为可能. 本文简要介绍超短回波磁共振骨成像的基础物理理论, 结合作者所在实验室的研究工作对各类定性及定量超短回波磁共振骨皮质成像新方法进行综述, 总结各类方法的特点、适用范围及不足, 指出进一步研究的方向、重点及步骤, 对超短回波磁共振成像在骨质量评估方面的理论研究及工程应用具有指导意义. 关键词： 超短回波 核磁共振成像 骨矿物密度 骨皮质     

Thresholding in correlation analyses of magnetic resonance functional neuroimaging

The definition of objective and effective thresholds in MRI of human brain function is a crucial step in the analysis of paradigm-related activations. This paper introduces a user-independent and robust procedure that calculates statistical parametric maps based on correlation coefficients. Thresholds are introduced as p values and defined with respect to the physiologic noise distribution of the individual maps. Experimental examples from the human visual and motor system rely on dynamic acquisitions of gradient-echo echo-planar images (2.0 T, TR = 2000 ms, 96 × 128 matrix) with blood oxygenation level-dependent contrast. The results demonstrate the disadvantages of thresholding with fixed correlation coefficients. In contrast, taking the individual noise into account allows for a derivation of p values and a reliable identification of highly significant activation centers. An adequate delineation of the spatial extent of activation may be achieved by adding directly neighboring pixels provided their correlation coefficients comply with a second lower p value threshold.     

Percept-related activity in the human somatosensory system: functional magnetic resonance imaging studies

In this paper, we review blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies addressing the neural correlates of touch, thermosensation, pain and the mechanisms of their cognitive modulation in healthy human subjects. There is evidence that fMRI signal changes can be elicited in the parietal cortex by stimulation of single mechanoceptive afferent fibers at suprathreshold intensities for conscious perception. Positive linear relationships between the amplitude or the spatial extents of BOLD fMRI signal changes, stimulus intensity and the perceived touch or pain intensity have been described in different brain areas. Some recent fMRI studies addressed the role of cortical areas in somatosensory perception by comparing the time course of cortical activity evoked by different kinds of stimuli with the temporal features of touch, heat or pain perception. Moreover, parametric single-trial functional MRI designs have been adopted in order to disentangle subprocesses within the nociceptive system.

Available evidence suggest that studies that combine fMRI with psychophysical methods may provide a valuable approach for understanding complex perceptual mechanisms and top-down modulation of the somatosensory system by cognitive factors specifically related to selective attention and to anticipation. The brain networks underlying somatosensory perception are complex and highly distributed. A deeper understanding of perceptual-related brain mechanisms therefore requires new approaches suited to investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of activation in different brain regions and their functional interaction.     

1.5 T关节磁共振成像超导磁体的设计、制作与测试

磁共振成像(magnetic resonance imaging,MRI)是当今世界上最先进的医学影像技术之一,现阶段MRI技术正朝着成像质量更清晰、功能更强大、效率更高、个体化更强的趋势发展.与全身MRI设备相比,专科型MRI设备具有体积小、重量轻、成本低、病人舒适度高、成像质量高、功能更强等优点.但是关节专用超导MRI系统需要长度方向上被严格限制的超导磁体在160 mm直径球域(diameter sphere volume,DSV)内产生高均匀度的磁场.本文综合考虑了超导线用量、中心磁感应强度和成像区磁场不均匀度等因素,使用0-1规划和遗传算法相结合的方法设计了一种非屏蔽型1.5 T关节MRI超导磁体,该磁体的室温孔径为280 mm,总长度为520 mm,液氦量为30 L,载流区最大磁场为5.48 T,5高斯线范围为径向3.2 m、轴向2.6 m,160 mm DSV的磁场不均匀度设计值为22 ppm,考虑加工误差及冷缩因素,磁体加工完成并经过被动匀场后的预估值为60 ppm.经过绕制、固化、组装、焊接等工序,该磁体已制作完成.经过3次锻炼后成功励磁到1.5 T,经过被动匀场后160 mm DSV的磁场不均匀度达到50 ppm,各项指标均达到设计目标.     

Real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging: methods and applications

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been limited by time-consuming data analysis and a low signal-to-noise ratio, impeding online analysis. Recent advances in acquisition techniques, computational power and algorithms increased the sensitivity and speed of fMRI significantly, making real-time analysis and display of fMRI data feasible. So far, most reports have focused on the technical aspects of real-time fMRI (rtfMRI). Here, we provide an overview of the different major areas of applications that became possible with rtfMRI: online analysis of single-subject data provides immediate quality assurance and functional localizers guiding the main fMRI experiment or surgical interventions. In teaching, rtfMRI naturally combines all essential parts of a neuroimaging experiment, such as experimental design, data acquisition and analysis, while adding a high level of interactivity. Thus, the learning of essential knowledge required to conduct functional imaging experiments is facilitated. rtfMRI allows for brain-computer interfaces (BCI) with a high spatial and temporal resolution and whole-brain coverage. Recent studies have shown that such BCI can be used to provide online feedback of the blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal and to learn the self-regulation of local brain activity. Preliminary evidence suggests that this local self-regulation can be used as a new paradigm in cognitive neuroscience to study brain plasticity and the functional relevance of brain areas, even being potentially applicable for psychophysiological treatment.     

Diffusion-weighted MRI in prostate cancer -- comparison between single-shot fast spin echo and echo planar imaging sequences

Diffusion-weighted (DW) MRI at 1.5 T was carried out in two groups of patients. MRI data were correlated with the biopsy and histopathology (where available). The performance of two sequences -- a single-shot FSE (14 patients) and a single-shot EPI (15 patients) -- was compared. Average ADC values from the normal peripheral zone (PZ), central gland (CG) and the tumour [prostate carcinoma (PCa)] were calculated from b values of 0 and 600. Tukey-Kramer test was used for statistical analysis. EPI produced higher values of ADC (10(-3) mm(2)/s) than FSE sequence: 1.992+/-0.208 vs. 1.573+/-0.270 in PZ (P<.001), 1.518+/-0.126 vs. 1.373+/-0.179 in CG and 1.214+/-0.254 vs. 0.993+/-0.158 in PCa (P<.01). In conclusion, both EPI and FSE sequences showed differences in ADC between normal PZ, CG and PCa; however, EPI produced significantly higher ADC values than FSE.     

1D spectroscopic imaging with rf echo planar (SIRFEN) methods

A recently developed rf echo planar imaging method has been modified to rapidly generate spectroscopic information along one in-plane axis and spatial information along the other. The method allows the production of one-dimensional chemical shift images (1D CSIs) in acquisition times of 18 sec or less. A specific phase-encode-reordering algorithm provides convenient manipulation of T₂ weighting, yielding partial suppression of short T₂ species like muscle water. The method is demonstrated in phantoms and in vivo with 1D CSIs of human brain and limbs. Abnormal fat distribution is demonstrated in the calf of a patient with aggressive fibromatosis. The advantages of short acquisition times obtainable with SIRFEN are offset by limited spectral resolution, suggesting that primary applications will be confined to rapid spatial mapping of major spectral components.     

脑功能磁共振成像在人类嗅觉研究中的应用

在人类的5种主要感觉中,嗅觉是最广泛、古老、直接和内在的感觉.这些特性使人们对人类嗅觉的研究异常艰难,以致于直到今天人们对嗅觉的功能仍不清楚,而对大脑的功能机制所知更少.与其他基于物理原理的方法一样,磁共振成像技术的广泛应用极大地推动了整个生命科学的发展.脑功能磁共振成像的优势（高分辨率、高对比度、无损性和无放射性等）为人们研究嗅觉高级中枢以及与嗅觉相关行为的脑机制等提供了强有力的技术手段.文章在简单介绍嗅觉知识的基础上,着重讨论了近十年来,脑功能磁共振成像技术在人类嗅觉研究中所取得的成果.     

脑功能磁共振成像在人类嗅觉研究中的应用

在人类的5种主要感觉中,嗅觉是最广泛、古老、直接和内在的感觉.这些特性使人们对人类嗅觉的研究异常艰难,以致于直到今天人们对嗅觉的功能仍不清楚,而对大脑的功能机制所知更少.与其他基于物理原理的方法一样,磁共振成像技术的广泛应用极大地推动了整个生命科学的发展.脑功能磁共振成像的优势(高分辨率、高对比度、无损性和无放射性等)为人们研究嗅觉高级中枢以及与嗅觉相关行为的脑机制等提供了强有力的技术手段.文章在简单介绍嗅觉知识的基础上,着重讨论了近十年来,脑功能磁共振成像技术在人类嗅觉研究中所取得的成果.     

A design of novel type superconducting magnet for super—high field functional magnetic resonance imaging by using the harmonic analysis method of magnetic vector potentials

The approach of expanding the magnetic scalar potential in a series of Legendre polynomials is suitable for designing a conventional superconducting magnetic resonance imaging magnet of distributed solenoidal configuration. Whereas the approach of expanding the magnetic vector potential in associated Legendre harmonics is suitable for designing a single-solenoid magnet that has multiple tiers, in which each tier may have multiple layers with different winding lengths. A set of three equations to suppress some of the lowest higher-order harmonics is found. As an example, a 4T single-solenoid magnetic resonance imaging magnet with 4×6 layers of superconducting wires is designed. The degree of homogeneity in the 0.5m diameter sphere volume is better than 5.8 ppm. The same degree of homogeneity is retained after optimal integralization of turns in each correction layer. The ratio B_m/B₀ in the single-solenoid magnet is 30% lower than that in the conventional six-solenoid magnet. This tolerates higher rated superconducting current in the coil. The Lorentz force of the coil in the single-solenoid system is also much lower than in the six-solenoid system. This novel type of magnet possesses significant advantage over conventional magnets, especially when used as a super-high field functional magnetic resonance imaging magnet.     

核磁共振成像系列实验教学探讨

超小型核磁共振成像仪已经应用在近代物理实验教学中,该仪器可以研究各种样品的脉冲核磁共振.本文从教学内容和教学方法上对核磁共振成像实验进行了探讨·     

Ictal imaging using functional magnetic resonance

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can now provide maps of human brain function with high spatial and temporal resolution. This noninvasive technique can also map the coritical activation that occurs during focal seizures, as demonstrated here by the results obtained using a conventional 1.5 T clinical MRI system for the investigation of a 4-year-old boy suffering from frequent partial motor seizures of his right side. FLASH images (TE = 60 ms) were acquired every 10 s over a period of 25 min, and activation images derived by subtracting baseline images from images obtained during clinical seizures. Functional MRI revealed sequential activation associated with specific gyri within the left hemisphere with each of five consecutive clinical seizures, and also during a period that was not associated with a detectable clinical seizure. The activated regions included gyri that were structurally abnormal. These results demonstrate (a) that functional MRI can potentially provide new insights into the dynamic events that occur in the epileptic brain and their relationship to brain structure; and (b) that there is the possibility of obtaining similar information in the absence of clinical seizures, suggesting the potential for studies in patients with interictal electrical disturbances.     

Functional magnetic resonance imaging of tonic pain and vasopressor effects in rats

In functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, an elevation in blood pressure (BP) in individuals with a poor autoregulatory response may increase cerebral blood flow, potentially enhancing the blood oxygenation level dependent response. To investigate the role of BP changes, the cerebral activation to either tonic pain or the infusion of the vasopressor norepinephrine was correlated with the accompanying BP changes in alpha-chloralose anesthetized rats. Immediately after formalin (2%) injection into the forepaw, fMRI detected an activation that was correlated with the BP increase and additional activations that were independent of blood pressure changes 5–40 minutes later. The activation detected with the administration of the vasopressor norepinephrine, which does not cross the blood-brain barrier was correlated to both the amount and rate of increase in BP. The response ranged from being sparse, localized within cortex or widespread during modest, moderate or severe elevations in BP, respectively. The cerebral circulatory effects of hypertension should be considered as contributing to changes in cerebral blood oxygenation in fMRI studies involving increases in BP.     

Retinotopic mapping with spin echo BOLD at 7T

For blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional MRI experiments, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) increases with increasing field strength for both gradient echo (GE) and spin echo (SE) BOLD techniques. However, susceptibility artifacts and nonuniform coil sensitivity profiles complicate large field-of-view fMRI experiments (e.g., experiments covering multiple visual areas instead of focusing on a single cortical region). Here, we use SE BOLD to acquire retinotopic mapping data in early visual areas, testing the feasibility of SE BOLD experiments spanning multiple cortical areas at 7T. We also use a recently developed method for normalizing signal intensity in T₁-weighted anatomical images to enable automated segmentation of the cortical gray matter for scans acquired at 7T with either surface or volume coils. We find that the CNR of the 7T GE data (average single-voxel, single-scan stimulus coherence: 0.41) is almost twice that of the 3T GE BOLD data (average coherence: 0.25), with the CNR of the SE BOLD data (average coherence: 0.23) comparable to that of the 3T GE data. Repeated measurements in individual subjects find that maps acquired with 1.8-mm resolution at 3T and 7T with GE BOLD and at 7T with SE BOLD show no systematic differences in either the area or the boundary locations for V1, V2 and V3, demonstrating the feasibility of high-resolution SE BOLD experiments with good sensitivity throughout multiple visual areas.     

Comparison of magnetic resonance imaging of inhaled SF6 with respiratory gas analysis

Magnetic resonance imaging of inhaled fluorinated inert gases ((19)F-MRI) such as sulfur hexafluoride (SF(6)) allows for analysis of ventilated air spaces. In this study, the possibility of using this technique to image lung function was assessed. For this, (19)F-MRI of inhaled SF(6) was compared with respiratory gas analysis, which is a global but reliable measure of alveolar gas fraction. Five anesthetized pigs underwent multiple-breath wash-in procedures with a gas mixture of 70% SF(6) and 30% oxygen. Two-dimensional (19)F-MRI and end-expiratory gas fraction analysis were performed after 4 to 24 inhaled breaths. Signal intensity of (19)F-MRI and end-expiratory SF(6) fraction were evaluated with respect to linear correlation and reproducibility. Time constants were estimated by both MRI and respiratory gas analysis data and compared for agreement. A good linear correlation between signal intensity and end-expiratory gas fraction was found (correlation coefficient 0.99+/-0.01). The data were reproducible (standard error of signal intensity 8% vs. that of gas fraction 5%) and the comparison of time constants yielded a sufficient agreement. According to the good linear correlation and the acceptable reproducibility, we suggest the (19)F-MRI to be a valuable tool for quantification of intrapulmonary SF(6) and hence lung function.     

Basic concepts for nuclear magnetic resonance imaging

The basic concepts necessary to understand the physical basis of NMR imaging are presented in this didactic article. It is intended as a starting point for the radiologist or medical physicist who is addressing the topic of NMR for the first time. The basis of the NMR phenomena is described with introduction of the concepts of magnetic moment, magnetic fields, magnetic resonance, net magnetic moment of a sample, NMR excitation and NMR emission. The equipment necessary to observe these NMR properties of matter is summarized as well as the procedures for basic pulsed NMR experiments. The physical concepts for spatial localization of NMR emissions are introduced with physical analogies to stringed musical instruments. Several alternative imaging modalities are compared with greatest emphasis on the inversion recovery technique which yields images weighted by tissue T₁ values. The six subsystems of an NMR imaging device (primary magnet, computer, radio equipment, magnetic gradient, data storage and display subsystems) are described in an overview fashion. The paper is followed by a series of study questions to test the reader's comprehension of basic NMR imaging concepts.     

磁共振波谱与成像技术

文章简要介绍了核磁共振的基本原理,详细阐述了液体核磁共振在蛋白质结构、功能和动力学等方面的研究进展,论述了增强固体核磁共振分辨率的方法及其应用,讲述了磁共振成像的原理并综述了不同磁共振成像方法的应用研究进展,并对核磁共振的发展作了展望。     

磁共振成像发展与超高场磁共振成像技术

20世纪70年代磁共振成像技术的发明为生物医学成像开辟了一个极富生命力的领域。随着技术的进步和生命科学研究的深入,磁共振成像技术正向超高场发展。文章将在介绍磁共振成像技术发展的历史后,结合作者的认识,简要介绍超高磁共振成像技术的发展现状和关键技术方面的进展。     

Sub-optical resolution of single spins using magnetic resonance imaging at room temperature in diamond

There has been much recent interest in extending the technique of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) down to the level of single spins with sub-optical wavelength resolution. However, the signal to noise ratio for images of individual spins is usually low and this necessitates long acquisition times and low temperatures to achieve high resolution. An exception to this is the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color center in diamond whose spin state can be detected optically at room temperature. Here we apply MRI to magnetically equivalent NV spins and demonstrate fully resolved spectra with resolution well below the optical wavelength of the readout light. In addition, using a microwave version of MRI we achieved a resolution that is 1/270 in size of the coplanar striplines, which define the effective wavelength of the microwaves that were used to excite the transition. This technique can eventually be extended to imaging of large numbers of NVs in a confocal spot and possibly to image nearby dark spins via their mutual magnetic interaction with the NV spin.     

Post-stimulus response in hemodynamics observed by functional magnetic resonance imaging--difference between the primary sensorimotor area and the supplementary motor area

The blood oxygen level dependency (BOLD) contrast is a useful tool for functional neuroimaging based on the hemodynamic response to neuronal activation. We observed different hemodynamic responses in the BOLD signal between the primary sensorimotor area (SM1) and the supplementary motor area (SMA) in the sequential finger movement task. In the SMA, a stronger initial overshoot and a post-stimulus overshoot were observed. It was hypothesized from the time course analysis that the stronger initial overshoot reflected the activation of the SMA for motor control programming in the initial phase. Although the post-stimulus overshoot may be partially explained by cerebral blood flow (CBF) cerebral blood volume (CBV) uncoupling, its mechanism remained unknown. In the SM1, only the initial overshoot was observed and the level of BOLD signal was almost constant after the initial overshoot during the task period. These observations suggested that the BOLD signal is characterized by both CBF-CBV uncoupling and the neuronal activation characteristics in each region.