Evaluation of the inner ear by 3D fast asymmetric spin echo (FASE) MR imaging: phantom and volunteer studies

The 3D fast asymmetric spin echo (FASE) method combines the half-Fourier technique and 3D fast spin echo (FSE) sequence. The advantage of this method is that it maintains the same spatial resolution as FSE while markedly reducing the imaging time. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of the 3D FASE technique in displaying the inner ear structure using phantom and volunteer studies. 3D FSE sequence images were obtained for comparison, and the optimum 3D FASE sequence was investigated on a 1.5T MR scanner. The results of phantom experiments showed increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with prolonging repetition time (TR) on both 3D FASE and 3D FSE sequences. Although the SNR of 3D FASE images was 20-25% lower than that of 3D FSE images with the same TR, the SNR per minute with 3D FASE was about twice that with 3D FSE. On 3D FASE images, a higher spatial resolution was obtained with 2- or 4-shot images than with single-shot images. However, no significant difference was observed between 2-shot and 4-shot images. In the volunteer study, 3D FASE images using a TR of 5000 ms and an effective echo time (TEeff) of 250 ms showed a high SNR and spatial resolution and provided excellent contrast between cerebrospinal fluid and nerves in the internal auditory canal. The highest contrast was achieved in the 2-shot/2 number of excitations sequence. 3D FASE provides the same image quality as 3D FSE with a significant reducing in imaging time, and gives strong T2-weighted images. This method enables detailed visualization of the tiny structures of the inner ear.     

Resolving overlaps in diffusion encoded spectra using band-selective pulses in a 3D BEST-DOSY experiment

A novel diffusion-edited 3D NMR experiment that incorporates a BEST-HMQC pulse sequence in its implementation is presented. Heteronuclear 3D DOSY NMR experiments are useful in elucidating the diffusion coefficients of individual constituents of a mixture, especially in cases where the proton NMR 2D DOSY spectra show considerable overlap. The present 3D BEST-DOSY pulse sequence provides a more sensitive and less time-consuming alternative to standard 3D HMQC-DOSY experiments. Cleanly separated subspectra of individual mixture components are obtained, leading to the determination of diffusion coefficients with better accuracy. The feasibility of the technique is demonstrated on a mixture of amino acids, on a mixture of small molecules with similar diffusion coefficients, and on a complex mixture with large dynamic range (commercial gasoline). The implications of using adiabatic decoupling schemes and band-selective shaped pulses for selective BEST-DOSY experiments on proteins are also discussed.     

Optimal techniques for magnetic resonance imaging of the liver using a respiratory navigator-gated three-dimensional spoiled gradient-recalled echo sequence

Purpose

To optimize the navigator-gating technique for the acquisition of high-quality three-dimensional spoiled gradient-recalled echo (3D SPGR) images of the liver during free breathing.

Materials and methods

Ten healthy volunteers underwent 3D SPGR magnetic resonance imaging of the liver using a conventional navigator-gated 3D SPGR (cNAV-3D-SPGR) sequence or an enhanced navigator-gated 3D SPGR (eNAV-3D-SPGR) sequence. No exogenous contrast agent was used. A 20-ms wait period was inserted between the 3D SPGR acquisition component and navigator component of the eNAV-3D-SPGR sequence to allow T1 recovery. Visual evaluation and calculation of the signal-to-noise ratio were performed to compare image quality between the imaging techniques.

Result

The eNAV-3D-SPGR sequence provided better noise properties than the cNAV-3D-SPGR sequence visually and quantitatively. Navigator gating with an acceptance window of 2 mm effectively inhibited respiratory motion artifacts. The widening of the window to 6 mm shortened the acquisition time but increased motion artifacts, resulting in degradation of overall image quality. Neither slice tracking nor incorporation of short breath holding successfully compensated for the widening of the window.

Conclusion

The eNAV-3D-SPGR sequence with an acceptance window of 2 mm provides high-quality 3D SPGR images of the liver.     

Preoperative fast MRI of brain tumors using three-dimensional segmented echo planar imaging compared to three-dimensional gradient echo technique

The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic efficacy of a newly developed T(1)-weighted three-dimensional segmented echo planar imaging (3D EPI) sequence versus a conventional T(1)-weighted three dimensional spoiled gradient echo (3D GRE) sequence in the evaluation of brain tumors. Forty-four patients with cerebral tumors and infections were examined on a 1.0 T MR unit with 23 mT/m gradient strength. The total scan time for the T(1) 3D EPI sequence was 2 min 12 s, and for a conventional 3D GRE sequence it was 4 min 59 s. Both sequences were performed after administration of a contrast agent. The images were analyzed by three radiologists. Image assessment criteria included lesion conspicuity, contrast between different types of normal tissue, and image artifacts. In addition, signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise-ratio (C/N) were calculated. The gray-white differentiation and C/N ratio of 3D EPI were found to be inferior to conventional 3D GRE images, but the difference was not statistically significant. In the qualitative comparison, lesion detection and conspicuity of 3D EPI images and conventional 3D GRE images were similar, but a tow-fold reduction of the scanning time was obtained. With the 3D EPI technique, a 50% scan time reduction could be achieved with acceptable image quality compared to conventional 3D GRE. Thus, the 3D EPI technique could replace conventional 3D GRE in the preoperative imaging of brain.     

Breath-held MR Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) using a 3D Dixon fat–water separated balanced steady state free precession sequence

A novel 3D breath-held Dixon fat–water separated balanced steady state free precession (b-SSFP) sequence for MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is described and its potential clinical utility assessed in a series of patients. The main motivation is to develop a robust breath-held alternative to the respiratory gated 3D Fast Spin Echo (FSE) sequence, the current clinical sequence of choice for MRCP. Respiratory gated acquisitions are susceptible to motion artifacts and blurring in patients with significant diaphragmatic drift, erratic respiratory rhythms or sleep apnea. A two point Dixon fat–water separation scheme was developed which eliminates signal loss arising from B₀ inhomogeneity effects and minimizes artifacts from perturbation of the b-SSFP steady state. Preliminary results from qualitative analysis of 49 patients demonstrate robust performance of the 3D Dixon b-SSFP sequence with diagnostic image quality acquired in a 20–24 s breath-hold.     

Diffusion-weighted three-dimensional MP-RAGE MR imaging

The advantages of three-dimensional (3D) acquisition are that you obtain thinner and more slices with better profiles, and better signal-to-noise ratio for an equivalent slice thickness. Three-dimensional acquisition is preferable for obtaining contiguous thin-slice MR images. However, the acquisition time extends compared with the two-dimensional acquisition because the second phase-encode axis is applied by the 3D acquisition. Therefore, 3D acquisition should be a high-speed imaging method. In this paper, a new diffusion-sensitive 3D magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo (3D MP-RAGE) sequence was studied. In this sequence, a preparation phase with a 90 degrees RF-motion proving gradient (MPG): MPG-180 degrees RF-MPG-90 degrees RF pulse train (diffusion-weighted driven-equilibrium Fourier transform) was used to sensitize the magnetization to diffusion. Centric k-space acquisition order is necessary to minimize saturation effects from tissues with short relaxation times. From phantom experimental results, the effect of the diffusion weighting was changed by the centric vs. sequential k-space acquisition order. The effect of centric k-space acquisition order was larger than the effect of sequential k-space acquisition order. The contrast of centric k-space acquisition order became equal to the contrast of conventional diffusion-weighted spin echo. From rat experimental results, small isotropic diffusion-weighted image data (voxel size: 0.625 x 0.625 x 0.625 mm3) were obtained. This sequence was useful in vivo.     

Generalized three-dimensional windowed Fourier transform for fringe analysis

A 3D windowed Fourier transform is proposed for fringe sequence analysis, which processes the joint spatial and temporal information of the fringe sequence simultaneously. The 2D windowed Fourier transform in the spatial domain and the 1D windowed Fourier transform in the temporal domain are two special cases of the proposed method. The principles of windowed Fourier filtering and windowed Fourier ridges are developed. Experimental verification shows encouraging results despite a longer processing time.     

Optimization and validation of a rapid high-resolution T1-w 3D FLASH water excitation MRI sequence for the quantitative assessment of articular cartilage volume and thickness

In view of follow up, survey and development of therapeutic strategies for osteoarthritis where cartilage deterioration plays an important role, a non invasive, reliable and quantitative assessment of the articular cartilage is desirable. The currently available high resolution T(1)-weighted (T1-w) 3D FLASH pulse sequences with frequency selective fat suppression are very time consuming. We have 1) optimized a high resolution T1-w 3D FLASH water excitation (WE) sequence for short acquisition time and cartilage visualization, and 2) validated this sequence for cartilage volume and thickness quantification. The spectral fat presaturation was replaced by selective water excitation. The flip angle of the WE sequence was optimized for the contrast to noise (C/N(cart)) ratio of cartilage. Sagittal datasets (voxel size: 0.31 x 0.31 x 2 mm(3)) of the knees of nine healthy volunteers were acquired both, with the 3D FLASH WE (17.2/6.6/30 degrees ) sequence (WE) and a previously validated 3D FLASH fat saturated (42/11/30 degrees ) sequence (FS). For validation of the WE sequence, cartilage volume, mean and maximal cartilage thickness of the two sequences were compared. Reproducibility was assessed by calculating the coefficient of variation (COV %) of 4 consecutive WE data sets in the volunteers. The acquisition time was reduced from 16'30" (FS) down to 7'14" for the WE sequence. Image contrast and visualization of the cartilage was very similar, but delineation of the basal layer of the cartilage was slightly improved with the WE sequence. A flip angle of 30 degrees provided the best C/N(cart) ratios (WE). Reproducibility (COV) was between 1.9 and 5.9%. Cartilage volume and thickness agreed within 4% between FS and WE sequence. The WE sequence allows for rapid, valid and reproducible quantification of articular cartilage volume and thickness, prerequisites for follow-up examinations. The reduced acquisition time (50% of FS) enables routine clinical application and thus may contribute to a broader assessment of osteoarthritis.     

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.     

Exact solution of three-dimensional acoustic field in a wedge with perfectly reflecting boundaries

An exact approach is presented to compute the three-dimensional(3D) acoustic field in a homogeneous wedge-shaped ocean with perfectly reflecting boundaries. This approach applies the Fourier synthesis technique, which reduces a 3D point-source ideal wedge problem into a sequence of two-dimensional(2D) line-source ideal wedge problems, whose analytical solution is well established. A comparison of numerical efficiency is provided between this solution and the solution proposed by Buckingham,which is obtained by a sequence of integral transforms. The details of numerical implementation of these two solutions are also given. To validate the present approach and at the same time compare numerical efficiency between this approach and Buckingham's analytical solution, two numerical examples are considered. One is the Acoustical Society of America(ASA) benchmark wedge problem and the other is a wide-angle wedge problem. Numerical results indicate that the present approach is efficient and capable of providing accurate 3D acoustic field results for arbitrary receiver locations, and hence can serve as a benchmark model for sound propagation in a homogeneous wedge-shaped ocean.     

Direct MR arthrography of the shoulder: 2D vs. 3D gradient-echo imaging.

The aim of this study was to determine the value of a fat suppressed 3D gradient-echo sequence (GRE) data set in comparison to a 2D GRE sequence in direct MR arthrography of the shoulder. For this purpose we examined 50 consecutive patients with subacute or chronic disorders of the shoulder using a 1.5 T scanner: Transverse T1-weighted 2D (slice thickness 4 mm) and 3D GRE (slice thickness 1.5 mm reconstructed from 3 mm), oblique coronal T2- and T1-weighted turbo spin-echo (TSE) and sagittal T1-weighted TSE with fat saturation were applied. Visual image analysis of anatomical and pathological structures was performed by two independent observers. A correlation to surgical results was available in 21 patients. Transverse GRE sequences were well suited for analysis of the anterior/posterior labrum, the middle glenohumeral ligament, and cartilage. 3D GRE with fat suppression was slightly superior to 2D GRE without fat suppression in the evaluation of the anterior/posterior labrum, and the middle glenohumeral ligament, whereas for cartilage no significant differences were found between both sequences. Concerning pathological findings, in most of the cases 2D delivered the same results as 3D. In conclusion, a T1-weighted 3D GRE data set with fat saturation in transverse orientation may be useful for evaluation of the anterior/posterior labrum, and the middle glenohumeral ligament. However, similar measured slice thickness of 3 mm-even if interpolated to 1.5 mm-compared to a 2D sequence with 4 mm does not provide significant diagnostic advantages.     

Improving structural brain images acquired with the 3D FLASH sequence

The three-dimension Fast Low Angle SHot Magnetic Resonance Imaging (3D FLASH) sequence has been widely adopted in medical diagnostic imaging because of its availability, simplicity, and high spatial resolution. To improve the quality of structural brain images acquired with the 3D FLASH sequence, we developed a parameter optimization scheme and image inhomogeneity correction methods. The optimal imaging parameters were determined by maximizing gray-matter and white-matter CNR efficiency. Compared to protocols based on published parameters, applying the proposed optimal imaging parameters increased CNR efficiency by > 10%. Image inhomogeneity, including signal and CNR inhomogeneity, was corrected by the choice of an optimal flip angle, estimated transmit function, and estimated receive sensitivity. As a result, our optimization and image inhomogeneity correction greatly improved the quality of images acquired with the 3D FLASH sequence.     

Application of fast Pade approximation in simulating photonic crystal nanocavities by FDTD technology

The exact calculation of mode quality factor Q is a key problem in the design of high-Q photonic crystal nanocavity. On the basis of further investigation on conventional Pade approximation, FDM and DFT, Pade approximation with Baker’s algorithm is enhanced through introducing multiple frequency search and parabola interpolation. Though Pade approximation is a nonlinear signal processing method and only short time sequence is needed, we find the different length of sequence requirements for 2D and 3D FDTD, which is very important to obtain convergent and accurate results. By using the modified Pade approximation method and 3D FDTD, the 2D slab photonic crystal nanocavity is analyzed and high-Q multimode can be solved quickly instead of large range high-resolution scanning. Monitor position has also been investigated. These results are very helpful to the design of photonic crystal nanocavity devices.     

3D H2BC: A novel experiment for small-molecule and biomolecular NMR at natural isotopic abundance

3D H2BC is introduced for heteronuclear assignment on natural abundance samples even for biomolecules up to at least 10 kDa in low millimolar concentrations as an overnight experiment using the latest generation of cryogenically cooled probes. The short pulse sequence duration of H2BC is maintained in the 3D version due to multiple use of the constant-time delay. Applications ranging from a small lipid to a non-recombinant protein demonstrate the merits of 3D H2BC and the ease of obtaining assignments in chains of protonated carbons.     

Real-time volumetric MR thermometry using 3D echo-shifted sequence under an open source reconstruction platform

PurposeThe aim of this work is to implement real-time 3D MR thermometry for high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) monitoring.MethodsVolumetric MR thermometry was implemented based on a 3D echo-shifted sequence with short TR to improve temperature sensitivity. The 3D acquisition was accelerated in two phase encoding directions with controlled aliasing in volumetric parallel imaging (CAIPIRINHA). Image reconstruction was run in an open source reconstruction platform (Gadgetron).ResultsPhantom experiments showed the proposed volumetric thermometry was comparable to the fiber optical thermometer. In-vivo animal experiments in rabbit thigh showed that the temperature error before and after 4× acceleration was less than 0.65 °C. Finally, real-time 3D thermometry with temporal resolution ~3 s and spatial resolution 2 × 2 × 5 mm³ (spatial coverage 192 × 192 × 80 mm³) was achieved with Gadgetron reconstruction.ConclusionReal-time temperature monitoring was achieved in-vivo by using parallel imaging accelerated 3D echo-shifted sequence with Gadgetron reconstruction.     

Quantitation of atherosclerosis by magnetic resonance imaging and 3-D morphology operators

The objective was to ascertain whether MRI and image processing can be used to quantify atherosclerosis by measuring wall thickness in rabbit aorta. The abdominal aortas of 2 healthy and 5 atherosclerotic rabbits were examined with a gradient-echo inflow angiography sequence (2DI) and a proton density weighted turbo-spin-echo sequence (PDW). Using thresholding by four observers and 3D morphology operators, segmentation of the artery and vein lumina was performed from the 2DI sequence, and of surrounding fat and muscle from the PDW sequence. Remaining voxels adjacent to the aortic lumen were classified as vessel wall. By measuring the vessel wall volume and the lumen volume, the wall percentage was calculated. The values were significantly higher for the diseased animals than for unaffected individuals (p < 0.01). It is concluded that aortic wall thickening in atherosclerotic rabbits can be measured quantitatively by using MRI combined with 3D morphology image processing operators.     

3D projection sideband cooling

We demonstrate 3D microwave projection sideband cooling of trapped, neutral atoms. The technique employs state-dependent potentials that enable microwave photons to drive vibration-number reducing transitions. The particular cooling sequence we employ uses minimal spontaneous emission, and works even for relatively weakly bound atoms. We cool 76% of atoms to their 3D vibrational ground states in a site-resolvable 3D optical lattice.     

Fast high-resolution 2D correlation spectroscopy in inhomogeneous fields via Hadamard intermolecular multiple quantum coherences technique

Recently, a method based on intermolecular multiple quantum coherences (iMQCs) has been proposed to obtain high-resolution 2D COSY spectra in inhomogeneous fields via 3D acquisitions. However, the very long acquisition time prevents its practical application. To overcome this shortage, the Hadamard technique was applied for the iMQC method in this paper. For the new pulse sequence, the direct frequency-domain excitation is used in the first indirect detection dimension, so the 3D acquisition was replaced by an array of 2D acquisitions. The acquisition time can be reduced to 10 min. The resulting spectra retain useful structural information including chemical shifts and multiplet patterns of J coupling even when the inhomogeneous line broadening leads to overlap of neighboring diagonal resonances in the conventional COSY spectrum. The experimental results are consistent with the theoretical predictions and computer simulations. The new sequence may provide a time-efficient way for the studies of chemical solution in inhomogeneous fields.     

S(3)E-E.COSY methods for the measurement of (19)F associated scalar and dipolar coupling constants

A (1)H-(19)F spin state selective excitation (S(3)E) pulse sequence element has been applied in combination with (1)H homonuclear mixing to create E.COSY-type experiments designed to measure scalar J(HF2') and J(HH2') and residual dipolar D(HF2') and D(HH2') couplings in 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-sugars. The (1)H-(19)F S(3)E pulse sequence element, which resembles a simple INEPT sequence, achieves spin-state-selective correlation between geminal (1)H-(19)F spin pairs by linear combination of in-phase (19)F magnetization and anti-phase magnetization evolved from (1)H. Since the S(3)E sequence converts both (19)F and (1)H steady-state polarization into observable coherences, an approximately twofold signal increase is observed for fully relaxed (1)H-(19)F spin pairs with respect to a standard (1)H coupled (19)F 1D experiment. The improved sensitivity and resolution afforded by the use of (1)H-(19)F S(3)E E.COSY-type experiments for measuring couplings is demonstrated on the nucleoside 9-(2',3'-dideoxy-2'-fluoro-beta-D-threo-pentofuranosyl)adenine (beta-FddA) and on a selectively 2'-fluorine labeled 21mer RNA oligonucleotide.