定量磁化率成像重建方法及其应用

磁共振成像(MRI)中,相位图像包含丰富的组织磁化率变化信息,获取相位图像不需要额外的扫描时间.组织中的顺磁性物质会影响组织磁化率差异,从而导致局部磁场不均匀.对组织内顺磁性物质的定量有利于许多脑血管疾病和神经系统疾病的诊断,但利用局部相位信息重建组织磁化率分布是一个不适定逆问题,目前仍然有许多问题亟待解决.该文着重介绍定量磁化率成像(QSM)的原理、重建方法及其在MRI中的应用.     

三维多回波流动补偿定量磁化率成像(QSM)方法研究

定量磁化率成像(QSM)利用一般成像技术舍弃的相位信息得到局部磁场变化特性,通过复杂的场到源反演计算,可直接得到定量的磁化率图,它广泛应用于测量血氧饱和度、脑部微出血、铁沉积、组织钙化等方面．然而,梯度磁场中流动会引起相位错误,并且产生显著的流动伪影,最终得到错误的QSM图像．为了矫正流动的影响,该文在3 T磁共振系统上实现了三维多回波流动补偿梯度回波序列,并用该序列采集流动水模和志愿者颅脑数据．流动水模和颅脑数据均显示,流动补偿能够明显矫正相位错误,消除流动伪影．颅脑横断位QSM结果证明,流动补偿序列可以消除血液流动引起的QSM的错误,提高QSM的准确性．     

定量磁化率成像多回波相位拟合算法研究

定量磁化率成像(quantitative susceptibility mapping,QSM)技术大多采用多回波梯度回波序列采集相位数据,经加权最小二乘法(weighted linear least-square,WLS)拟合得到局部磁场分布.对于组织磁化率分布不均匀的区域,尤其是颅底部位,常规WLS算法拟合得到的局部磁场误差较大,导致相应部位磁化率分布图信噪比较低.针对常规WLS算法的这一不足,该文提出了一种截断WLS算法.对两种算法拟合得到的磁化率分布图对比研究发现,截断WLS算法可有效提高颅底部位定量磁化率分布图的图像质量,使其噪声明显下降.     

结构光照明相位/荧光双模式显微技术

本文提出了一种基于结构光照明的高分辨相位/荧光双模式显微成像方法.该方法利用一数字微镜阵列(DMD)产生条纹结构光,并记录样品在结构光照明下的全息图像和荧光图像,最终可以重建出样品的定量相位图像和超分辨荧光图像.此外,还提出了一种补偿环境扰动对相位成像影响的数值方法,提高了成像系统的抗干扰能力.在该双模式成像系统中,定量相位成像和荧光成像的空间分辨率分别为840 nm和440 nm,为同一样品提供互补信息.该方法有望被广泛应用于生物医学、工业和化学等诸多领域.     

激光反射断层成像相位恢复方法

针对激光反射断层成像过程中存在目标的平动和抖动所产生的旋转中心偏移导致重建图像错位形成伪影的问题,提出基于相位恢复技术的改进误差下降算法.该方法通过光强反复迭代得到相位分布,获得重构目标丢失的相位信息,通过增加初始约束条件以及空间域和频域的限制有效改善算法的收敛性.运用改进的误差下降算法,有效改善了相位恢复方法容易陷入局部极小解的问题,获得了优化的重构图像.仿真实验表明,三组投影数据重建图像的平均相对均方误差由0.774下降为0.551,能够有效消除图像重建伪影.外场实验结果表明此方法使激光反射断层成像系统分辨率得到有效改善.     

X射线衍射增强成像中吸收、折射以及散射衬度的计算层析

X射线相位衬度成像是一种新型的X射线成像技术,通过记录射线穿过物体后相位的改变对物体进行成像,可以提供比传统的X射线吸收成像更高的图像衬度以及空间分辨力。衍射增强成像方法(Diffraction enhancedimaging,DEI)是X射线相位衬度成像方法之一,利用一块放置在物体和探测器之间的分析晶体提取物体的吸收、折射以及散射信息并进行成像。将衍射增强成像方法与计算机断层成像技术(Computerized Tomography)进行结合,利用吸收、散射以及折射信息,分别采用滤波反投影以及雷登(Radon)变换,对昆虫样品——蜜蜂进行计算层析重建,获得了好于X射线吸收计算层析的重建结果,验证了衍射增强成像信息分离计算层析的优越性。     

基于同时多层激发和并行成像的心脏磁共振电影成像

磁共振成像（MRI）无创无害、对比度多、可以任意剖面成像的特点特别适合用于心脏成像,却因扫描时间长限制了其在临床上的应用.为了解决心脏磁共振电影成像屏气扫描时间过长的问题,该文提出了一种基于同时多层激发的多倍加速心脏磁共振电影成像及其影像重建的方法,该方法将相位调制多层激发（CAIPIRINHA）技术与并行加速（PPA）技术相结合,运用到分段采集心脏电影成像序列中,实现了在相位编码方向和选层方向的四倍加速,并使用改进的SENSE/GRAPPA算法对图像进行重建.分别在水模以及人体上进行了实验,将加速序列图像与不加速序列图像进行对比,结果验证了重建算法的有效性,表明该方法可以在保障图像质量以及准确测量心脏功能的前提下成倍节省扫描时间.     

循环-托普利兹块相位掩模可压缩双透镜成像

压缩成像是压缩传感理论的重要应用领域之一,可以用比Nyquist测量数目少的测量值捕获充分信息重建稀疏或可压缩图像.在研究现有的压缩成像方法的基础上,给出一种新的循环-托普利兹块相位掩模矩阵可压缩双透镜成像方法.模拟实验结果表明新的相位掩模矩阵成像方法可以在欠采样的情况下有效地获得图像信息来重建原始图像.新方法的研究为...     

基于四波前剪切干涉的显微定量相位成像实验研究

提出一种基于四波前剪切干涉的显微定量相位成像方法,使用棋盘型位相光栅获得生物样品的干涉图,采用快速傅里叶法解得相位信息.实验测量可变形镜产生的随机波前,与ZYGO干涉仪的对照结果表明相位测量误差不超过3%,验证了四波前剪切干涉仪的相位探测精度.建立了一套基于四波前剪切干涉技术的显微定量相位成像系统,以小鼠肝癌活体细胞为样品,获得了清晰的强度图像和相位图像.实验结果表明基于四波前剪切干涉技术的系统可以实现高精度的定量相位成像,适用于生物活体细胞的相位显微成像研究.     

多通道相位图像的改进型自适应重建算法

自适应重建(Adaptive Reconstruction,AR)算法被广泛应用于磁共振图像的多通道合并问题上.AR算法不需要直接采集各个线圈的灵敏度信息,而是通过通道间信号及噪声相关矩阵,估算出各个通道的灵敏度,从而保证了合并的幅值图像具有较高的信噪比(Signal-to-Noise Ratio,SNR).然而,由于AR算法没有针对相位图像的合并问题进行优化,导致重建出的相位图像具有不确定性.另外,受各通道之间相位偏移及低信噪比相位图像的影响,重建结果可能包含伪影.该文提出了一种改进型AR算法,估算并移除了各通道之间的相位偏移,同时对多通道数据的相位进行质量评估及通道重排,用以进行后续自适应重建.仿体及在体实验表明,该方法可以有效提升AR算法稳定性、消除重建图像中存在的伪影,同时保持合并后幅值图像及相位图像的高信噪比.     

Weighted total variation using split Bregman fast quantitative susceptibility mapping reconstruction method

An ill-posed inverse problem in quantitative susceptibility mapping(QSM) is usually solved using a regularization and optimization solver, which is time consuming considering the three-dimensional volume data. However, in clinical diagnosis, it is necessary to reconstruct a susceptibility map efficiently with an appropriate method. Here, a modified QSM reconstruction method called weighted total variation using split Bregman(WTVSB) is proposed. It reconstructs the susceptibility map with fast computational speed and effective artifact suppression by incorporating noise-suppressed data weighting with split Bregman iteration. The noise-suppressed data weighting is determined using the Laplacian of the calculated local field, which can prevent the noise and errors in field maps from spreading into the susceptibility inversion.The split Bregman iteration accelerates the solution of the L_1-regularized reconstruction model by utilizing a preconditioned conjugate gradient solver. In an experiment, the proposed reconstruction method is compared with truncated k-space division(TKD), morphology enabled dipole inversion(MEDI), total variation using the split Bregman(TVSB) method for numerical simulation, phantom and in vivo human brain data evaluated by root mean square error and mean structure similarity. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed method can achieve better balance between accuracy and efficiency of QSM reconstruction than conventional methods, and thus facilitating clinical applications of QSM.     

Detection of susceptibility effects using simultaneous T(2)* and magnetic field mapping

Tracking susceptibility effects is a convenient way to detect small inclusions in a bulk tissue matrix by MRI. We propose a quantitative assessment of these susceptibility effects by simultaneously mapping T(2)* and magnetic field from the time course of magnitude and phase using a multiple GE sequence at 4.7 T. A high-pass scheme is also introduced to highlight the mesoscopic magnetic field variations due to local susceptibility differences specifically in the magnetic field map. Applying this method to muscle tissue, we demonstrate that connective tissue generates detectable susceptibility effects through concomitant local magnetic field variation and T(2)* shortening.     

Quantitative susceptibility mapping using principles of echo shifting with a train of observations sequence on 1.5 T MRI

PurposeTo evaluate the accuracy of susceptibility estimated from the principles of echo shifting with a train of observations (PRESTO) sequence using a 1.5 T MRI system, we conducted experiments on the human brain using the PRESTO sequence and compared our results with the susceptibility obtained from spoiled gradient-recalled echo (GRE) sequence with flow compensation using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) reconstruction.Materials and methodsExperiments on the human brain were conducted on 12 healthy volunteers (27 ± 4 years) using PRESTO and spoiled GRE sequences on a 1.5 T scanner. The PRESTO sequence is an echo-shifted gradient echo sequence that allows high susceptibility sensitivity and rapid acquisition because of TE > TR compared with the spoiled GRE sequence. QSM analysis was performed on the obtained phase images using the iLSQR method. Estimated susceptibility maps were used for region of interest analyses and estimation of line profiles through iron-rich tissue and major vessels.ResultsOur results demonstrated that susceptibility maps were accurately estimated, without error, by QSM analysis of PRESTO and spoiled GRE sequences. Acquisition time in the PRESTO sequence was reduced by 43% compared with that in the spoiled GRE sequence. Differences did exist between susceptibility maps in PRESTO and spoiled GRE sequences for visualization and quantitative values of major blood vessels and the areas around themConclusionThe PRESTO sequence enables correct estimation of tissue susceptibility with rapid acquisition and may be useful for QSM analysis of clinical use of 1.5 T scanners.     

Restoration of low resolution metabolic images with a priori anatomic information: 23Na MRI in myocardial infarction

A new iterative extrapolation image reconstruction algorithm is presented, which enhances low resolution metabolic magnetic resonance images (MRI) with information about the bounds of signal sources obtained from a priori anatomic proton ((1)H) MRI. The algorithm ameliorates partial volume and ringing artefacts, leaving unchanged local metabolic heterogeneity that is present in the original dataset but not evident at (1)H MRI. Therefore, it is ideally suited to metabolic studies of ischemia, infarction and other diseases where the extent of the abnormality at (1)H MRI is uncertain. The performance of the algorithm is assessed by simulations, MRI of phantoms, and by surface coil 23Na MRI studies of canine myocardial infarction on a clinical scanner where the injury was not evident at (1)H MRI. The algorithm includes corrections for transverse field inhomogeneity, and for the leakage of intense signals into regions of interest such as 23Na MRI signals from ventricular blood ringing into the myocardium. The simulations showed that the algorithm reduced ringing artefacts by 15%, was stable at low SNR ( approximately 7), but is sensitive to the positioning of the (1)H MRI boundaries. The 23Na MRI showed hyperenhancement of regions identified as infarcted at post-mortem histological staining. The areas of hyperenhancement were measured by five independent observers in four 23Na images of infarction reconstructed with and without the algorithm. The infarct areas were correlated with areas determined by post-mortem histological staining with coefficient 0.85 for the enhanced images, compared to 0.58 with the conventional images. The scatter in the amplitude and in the area measurements of ischemia-associated hyper-enhancement in 23Na MRI was reduced by the algorithm by 1.6-fold and by at least 3-fold, respectively, demonstrating its ability to substantially improve quantification of the extent and intensity of metabolic changes in injured tissue that is not evident by (1)H MRI.     

MRI phase offset correction method impacts quantitative susceptibility mapping

Individual channel ultra-high field (7T) phase images have to be phase offset corrected prior to the mapping of magnetic susceptibility of tissue. Whilst numerous methods have been proposed for gradient recalled echo MRI phase offset correction, it remains unclear how they affect quantitative magnetic susceptibility values derived from phase images. Methods already proposed either employ a single or multiple echo time MRI data. In terms of the latter, offsets can be derived using an ultra-short echo time acquisition, or by estimating the offset based on two echo points with the assumption of linear phase evolution with echo time. Our evaluation involved 32 channel multi-echo time 7T GRE (Gradient Recalled Echo) and ultra-short echo time PETRA (Pointwise Encoding Time Reduction with Radial Acquisition) MRI data collected for a susceptibility phantom and three human brains. The combined phase images generated using four established offset correction methods (two single and two multiple echo time) were analysed, followed by an assessment of quantitative susceptibility values obtained for a phantom and human brains. The effectiveness of each method in removing the offsets was shown to reduce with increased echo time, decreased signal intensity and reduced overlap in coil sensitivity profiles. Quantitative susceptibility values and how they change with echo time were found to be method specific. Phase offset correction methods based on single echo time data have a tendency to produce more accurate and less noisy quantitative susceptibility maps in comparison with methods employing multiple echo time data.     

MR phase imaging: sensitive and contrast-enhancing visualization in cellular imaging

The successful translation of stem-cell therapies requires a detailed understanding of the fate of transplanted cells. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has provided a noninvasive means of imaging cell dynamics in vivo by prelabeling cell with T(2) shortening iron oxide particles. However, this approach suffers from a gradual loss of sensitivity since active cell mitosis could decrease the cellular contrast agent (CA) concentration below detection level. In addition, the interpretation of images may be confounded by hypointensities induced by factors other than this CA susceptibility effect (CASE). We therefore examined the feasibility of exploiting the phase information in MRI to increase the sensitivity of cellular imaging and to differentiate the CASE from endogenous image hypointensity. Phase aliasing and the B(0) field inhomogeneity effect were removed by applying a reliable unwrapping algorithm and a high-pass filter, respectively, thus delineating phase variations originating from high spatial frequencies due to the CASE. We found that the filtered phase map detects labeled cells with high sensitivity and can readily differentiate the cell migration track from the white matter, both of which are hypointense in T(2)-weighted magnitude images. Furthermore, an approximate fivefold contrast-to-noise ratio enhancement can be achieved with an MRI phase map over conventional T(2)-weighted magnitude images.     

High-resolution near-infrared tomographic imaging simulations of the rat cranium by use of a priori magnetic resonance imaging structural information

Near-infrared (NIR) optical image reconstruction that incorporates magnetic resonance image (MRI) structural data was tested in a series of simulated reconstructions. NIR diffuse tomography generally suffers from comparatively low spatial resolution. By using the fine structural detail that is available with MRI, combined with the functional information of NIR spectroscopy, it is possible to design a new image-reconstruction methodology that provides high-resolution images that are correlated with hemoglobin concentration and oxygen saturation. To test this concept a MRI spin-echo image of a rat cranium was used to obtain an outline of the bone, brain, and muscle tissues, and this information was incorporated into an iterative-based diffuse tomography reconstruction. These simulations represent what is believed to be the first attempt at evaluating a spatially constrained iterative-reconstruction MRI-NIR imaging modality for brain tissue.     

Visualizing the lateral habenula using susceptibility weighted imaging and quantitative susceptibility mapping

The habenulae consist of a pair of small nuclei which bridge the limbic forebrain and midbrain monoaminergic centers. They are implicated in major depressive disorders due to abnormal phasic response when provoked by a conditioned stimulus. The lateral habenula (Lhb) is believed to be involved in dopamine metabolism and is now a target for deep brain stimulation, a treatment which has shown promising anti-depression effects. We imaged the habenulae with susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) in order to localize the lateral habenula. Fifty-six healthy controls were recruited for this study. For the quantitative assessment, we traced the structure to compute volume from magnitude images and mean susceptibility bilaterally for the habenula on QSM. Thresholding methods were used to delineate the Lhb habenula on QSM. SWI, true SWI (tSWI), and QSM data were subjectively reviewed for increased Lhb contrast. SWI, QSM, and tSWI showed bilateral signal changes in the posterior location of the habenulae relative to the anterior location, which may indicate increased putative iron content within the Lhb. This signal behavior was shown in 41/44 (93%) subjects. In summary, it is possible to localize the lateral component of the habenula using SWI and QSM at 3 T.     

A Study on Usefulness Comparison of Multiple-Shot FSE PROPELLER and IDEAL-FSE Techniques for Magnetic Susceptibility Artifact

The aim of this study was to visualize multiple-shot fast spin echo (FSE) images using a periodically rotated overlapping parallel line with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER) technique. An iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and a least squares estimation (IDEAL) technique were also performed to reduce the image distortion or susceptibility artifact depending on the difference in magnetic susceptibility to the surrounding tissues caused by metal insertion. The utility of this technique was examined quantitatively. A ferromagnetic image was generated from all the metals, but the IDEAL technique caused less image distortion than the PROPELLER technique. The 3-point IDEAL technique, which used the difference in the signal phase of fat and water, required more time for the examination and image reconstruction than the PROPELLER technique, which was based on a rotating blade in k-space. On the other hand, the IDEAL technique was more useful for reducing the susceptibility artifacts. The use of a proper technique in clinical trials based on these results is expected to provide better clinical information for imaging diagnoses.