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Echo-planar Imaging (echo-planar + imaging)
Selected AbstractsPulsed saturation of the standard two-pool model for magnetization transfer.CONCEPTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE, Issue 1 2004Part II: The transition to steady state Abstract The transition of the tissue signal to steady state under periodic selective saturation of macromolecular magnetization can be observed by single-shot echo-planar imaging. The general solution for a two-pool system with linear exchange kinetics contains two transient components. The rapid minor transient causes an initial delay of the transition for fast pulse repetition (PR) and weak saturation. The slow major transient combines progressive direct saturation and transferred saturation. Its PR -dependence provides similar information as the steady state, but is less sensitive to direct saturation and fitting errors. Sampling at different PR allows to quantify all system parameters. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 21A: 50,62, 2004 [source] Toward brain correlates of natural behavior: fMRI during violent video gamesHUMAN BRAIN MAPPING, Issue 12 2006Klaus Mathiak Abstract Modern video games represent highly advanced virtual reality simulations and often contain virtual violence. In a significant amount of young males, playing video games is a quotidian activity, making it an almost natural behavior. Recordings of brain activation with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during gameplay may reflect neuronal correlates of real-life behavior. We recorded 13 experienced gamers (18,26 years; average 14 hrs/week playing) while playing a violent first-person shooter game (a violent computer game played in self-perspective) by means of distortion and dephasing reduced fMRI (3 T; single-shot triple-echo echo-planar imaging [EPI]). Content analysis of the video and sound with 100 ms time resolution achieved relevant behavioral variables. These variables explained significant signal variance across large distributed networks. Occurrence of violent scenes revealed significant neuronal correlates in an event-related design. Activation of dorsal and deactivation of rostral anterior cingulate and amygdala characterized the mid-frontal pattern related to virtual violence. Statistics and effect sizes can be considered large at these areas. Optimized imaging strategies allowed for single-subject and for single-trial analysis with good image quality at basal brain structures. We propose that virtual environments can be used to study neuronal processes involved in semi-naturalistic behavior as determined by content analysis. Importantly, the activation pattern reflects brain-environment interactions rather than stimulus responses as observed in classical experimental designs. We relate our findings to the general discussion on social effects of playing first-person shooter games. Hum Brain Mapp, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Ultrafast imaging: Principles, pitfalls, solutions, and applicationsJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 2 2010Jeffrey Tsao PhD Abstract Ultrafast MRI refers to efficient scan techniques that use a high percentage of the scan time for data acquisition. Often, they are used to achieve short scan duration ranging from sub-second to several seconds. Alternatively, they may form basic components of longer scans that may be more robust or have higher image quality. Several important applications use ultrafast imaging, including real-time dynamic imaging, myocardial perfusion imaging, high-resolution coronary imaging, functional neuroimaging, diffusion imaging, and whole-body scanning. Over the years, echo-planar imaging (EPI) and spiral imaging have been the main ultrafast techniques, and they will be the focus of the review. In practice, there are important challenges with these techniques, as it is easy to push imaging speed too far, resulting in images of a nondiagnostic quality. Thus, it is important to understand and balance the trade-off between speed and image quality. The purpose of this review is to describe how ultrafast imaging works, the potential pitfalls, current solutions to overcome the challenges, and the key applications. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;32:252,266. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Stimulated echo induced misestimates on diffusion tensor indices and its remedyJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 6 2010Tzu-Chao Chuang PhD Abstract Purpose: To report possible erroneous estimates of diffusion parameters in the twice-refocused spin-echo (TRSE) technique, proposed to eliminate eddy-current-induced geometric distortions in diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging, when stimulated echo signals are inappropriately included. Materials and Methods: Eleven subjects were included for imaging experiments on two 1.5 Tesla systems using the TRSE sequence. Three versions, two with unbalanced crusher gradients inserted to dephase the stimulated echo from the b = 0 images and one with balanced crusher gradients, were implemented. The apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were derived and compared. Results: The ADCs obtained with unbalanced crusher gradients were closer to values reported in the literature. Stimulated echo led to ADC over-estimations by 34.2%, 50.4%, 54.0%, 51.5%, 24.0%, and 41.9% in the genu of corpus callosum, splenium of corpus callosum, bilateral corona radiata, internal capsule, mediofrontal gyrus, and the cuneus, respectively (P < 0.01), with concomitant reduction in FA in highly anisotropic regions. Over-estimations of diffusion coefficients were found to be roughly equal along all directions. Conclusion: Formation of stimulated echo in the TRSE technique can lead to erroneous estimations of the diffusion parameters, even if no prominent morphological artifacts are seen. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;31:1522,1529. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Comparison of ferucarbotran-enhanced fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery echo-planar, T2-weighted turbo spin-echo, T2*-weighted gradient-echo, and diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging for detection of malignant liver lesionsJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 3 2010Yoshihiko Fukukura MD Abstract Purpose: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery echo-planar imaging (FLAIR EPI) for malignant liver tumors with that of T2-weighted turbo spin-echo (TSE), T2*-weighted gradient-echo (GRE), and diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging (DW EPI). Materials and Methods: SPIO-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that included FLAIR EPI, T2-weighted TSE, T2*-weighted GRE, and DW EPI sequences was performed using a 3 T system in 54 consecutive patients who underwent surgical exploration with intraoperative ultrasonography. A total of 88 malignant liver tumors were evaluated. Images were reviewed independently by two blinded observers who used a 5-point confidence scale to identify lesions. Results were correlated with results of histopathologic findings and surgical exploration with intraoperative ultrasonography. The accuracy of each MRI sequence was measured with jackknife alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic analysis. The sensitivity of each observer with each MRI sequence was compared with McNemar's test. Results: Accuracy values were significantly higher with FLAIR EPI sequence (0.93) than with T2*-weighted GRE (0.80) or DW EPI sequences (0.80) (P < 0.05). Sensitivity was significantly higher with the FLAIR EPI sequence than with any of the other sequences. Conclusion: SPIO-enhanced FLAIR EPI sequence was more accurate in the diagnosis of malignant liver tumors than T2*-weighted GRE and DW EPI sequences. SPIO-enhanced FLAIR EPI sequence is helpful for the detection of malignant liver tumors. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;31:607,616. ©2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Minimization of Nyquist ghosting for echo-planar imaging at ultra-high fields based on a "negative readout gradient" strategyJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 5 2009Wietske van der Zwaag PhD Abstract Purpose: To improve the traditional Nyquist ghost correction approach in echo planar imaging (EPI) at high fields, via schemes based on the reversal of the EPI readout gradient polarity for every other volume throughout a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) acquisition train. Materials and Methods: An EPI sequence in which the readout gradient was inverted every other volume was implemented on two ultrahigh-field systems. Phantom images and fMRI data were acquired to evaluate ghost intensities and the presence of false-positive blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal with and without ghost correction. Three different algorithms for ghost correction of alternating readout EPI were compared. Results: Irrespective of the chosen processing approach, ghosting was significantly reduced (up to 70% lower intensity) in both rat brain images acquired on a 9.4T animal scanner and human brain images acquired at 7T, resulting in a reduction of sources of false-positive activation in fMRI data. Conclusion: It is concluded that at high B0 fields, substantial gains in Nyquist ghost correction of echo planar time series are possible by alternating the readout gradient every other volume. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:1171,1178. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Measurement of deep gray matter perfusion using a segmented true,fast imaging with steady-state precession (True-FISP) arterial spin-labeling (ASL) method at 3TJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 6 2009Elan J. Grossman MS Abstract Purpose To study the feasibility of using the MRI technique of segmented true,fast imaging with steady-state precession arterial spin-labeling (True-FISP ASL) for the noninvasive measurement and quantification of local perfusion in cerebral deep gray matter at 3T. Materials and Methods A flow-sensitive alternating inversion-recovery (FAIR) ASL perfusion preparation was used in which the echo-planar imaging (EPI) readout was replaced with a segmented True-FISP data acquisition strategy. The absolute perfusion for six selected regions of deep gray matter (left and right thalamus, putamen, and caudate) were calculated in 11 healthy human subjects (six male, five female; mean age = 35.5 years ± 9.9). Results Preliminary measurements of the average absolute perfusion values at the six selected regions of deep gray matter are in agreement with published values for mean absolute cerebral blood flow (CBF) baselines acquired from healthy volunteers using positron emission tomography (PET). Conclusion Segmented True-FISP ASL is a practical and quantitative technique suitable to measure local tissue perfusion in cerebral deep gray matter at a high spatial resolution without the susceptibility artifacts commonly associated with EPI-based methods of ASL. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;29:1425,1431. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Differential interictal activity of the precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex revealed by resting state functional MRI at 3T in generalized vs.JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 6 2008Partial seizure Abstract Purpose To characterize, using functional MRI (fMRI), the pattern of active brain regions in the resting state in patients with epilepsy. Materials and Methods We studied 28 patients with epilepsy, divided into a partial seizure (PS; N = 9) and a generalized seizure group (GS; N = 19), and 34 control subjects. Resting state fMRI was performed using a GE 3T scanner by collecting 200 volumes of echo-planar imaging (EPI) images with subjects relaxed, eyes closed. Data were processed using a modification of the method of Fransson (Hum Brain Mapp 2005;26:15,29), which reveals information on regional low-frequency Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent (BOLD) signal oscillations in the resting state without any a priori hypothesis. The significant active areas in brain were identified with both individual and group analysis. Results Controls showed active regions in the precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC)/ventral anterior cingulate cortex (vACC), theregions associated with the brain "default mode." Similar active regions were observed in PS, whereas GS showed no significant activation of precuneus/PCC. Conclusion In GS, the lack of activation in precuneus/PCC may partly account for their more severe interictal deficits, compared to PS, in cognitive functions such as concentration and memory. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;27:1214,1220. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Apparent diffusion coefficient in pancreatic cancer: Characterization and histopathological correlationsJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 6 2008Noriaki Muraoka MD Abstract Purpose To clarify the components primarily responsible for diffusion abnormalities in pancreatic cancerous tissue. Materials and Methods Subjects comprised 10 patients with surgically confirmed pancreatic cancer. Diffusion-weighted (DW) echo-planar imaging (b value = 0, 500 s/mm2) was employed to calculate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). ADC values of cancer and noncancerous tissue were calculated. Furthermore, ADC values of the cancer were compared with histopathological results. Results The mean (±standard deviation) ADC value was significantly lower for tumor (1.27 ± 0.52 × 10,3 mm2/s) than for noncancerous tissue (1.90 ± 0.41 × 10,3 mm2/s, P < 0.05). Histopathological examination showed similar proportions of fibrotic area, cellular component, necrosis, and mucin in each case. Regarding the density of fibrosis in cancer, three cases were classified in the loose fibrosis group and the remaining seven cases were classified in the dense fibrosis group. The mean ADC value was significantly higher in the loose fibrosis group (1.88 ± 0.39 × 10,3 mm2/s) than in the dense fibrosis group (1.01 ± 0.29 × 10,3 mm2/s, P < 0.05). In quantitative analysis, ADC correlated well with the proportion of collagenous fibers (r = ,0.87, P < 0.05). Conclusion Collagenous fibers may be responsible for diffusion abnormalities in pancreatic cancer. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;27:1302,1308. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] False-positive analysis of functional MRI during simulated deep brain stimulation: A phantom studyJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 6 2008Ho-Ling Liu PhD Abstract Purpose To investigate the false-positive activations/deactivations in functional MRI (fMRI) of deep brain stimulation (DBS) using a phantom. Materials and Methods fMRI experiments were performed on a 1.5T scanner using a single-shot gradient-echo echo-planar imaging (GE-EPI) sequence (TR/TE/FA = 6000 msec/60 msec/90°) on an agar-gel phantom inserted with DBS electrodes. During the experimental blocks, two-second stimuli were delivered during the interscan waiting time (ISWT), which was adjusted by changing the number of slices acquired within the TR (3500 msec with 30 slices and 5160 msec with 10 slices). Data were analyzed using SPM2 software, and the false-positive voxels were detected with five different P-value thresholds. Results The number of false-positive voxels in experimental conditions had no significant differences from those in control conditions with either long or short ISWT, which increased with the P-value threshold from zero at P < 0.0001 to approximately 40 at P < 0.05. The pattern of increasing number of false-positive reactions along with P-value was similar between all conditions. Conclusion False-positive findings from fMRI with similar experimental design can be well controlled with a statistical threshold of P < 0.001 or tighter. The short ISWT of 3500 msec did not increase false-positive reactions compared to the long ISWT of 5160 msec. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;27:1439,1442. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] EPI distortion correction from a simultaneously acquired distortion map using TRAILJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 4 2006Andrew N. Priest D.Phil Abstract Purpose To develop a method for shot-by-shot distortion correction of single-shot echo-planar imaging (EPI) that is capable of correcting each image individually using a distortion measurement performed during acquisition of the image itself. Materials and Methods The recently-introduced method known as two reduced acquisitions interleaved (TRAIL) was extended to measure the distribution of the main magnetic field B0 with each shot. This corresponded to a map of distortion, and allowed distortion to be corrected in the acquired images. Results Distortion-corrected images were demonstrated in the human brain. The distortion field could be directly visualized using the "stripe" distribution imposed by the TRAIL pulse sequence. This confirmed the success of the correction. Over a time-course measurement of 10 images, variance was reduced by using shot-by-shot distortion correction compared to correction with a constant field map. Conclusion Shot-by-shot distortion correction may be performed for EPI images acquired using an extension of the TRAIL technique, ensuring that the correction reflects the actual distortion pattern and not merely a previously measured, but possibly no longer valid, distortion field. This avoids errors due to changes in the distortion field or misregistration of a previously measured distortion map resulting from subject motion. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Method for improving the accuracy of quantitative cerebral perfusion imaging,JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 5 2005Ken E. Sakaie PhD Abstract Purpose To improve the accuracy of dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) measurements of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and volume (CBV). Materials and Methods In eight volunteers, steady-state CBV (CBVSS) was measured using TrueFISP readout of inversion recovery (IR) before and after injection of a bolus of contrast. A standard DSC (STD) perfusion measurement was performed by echo-planar imaging (EPI) during passage of the bolus and subsequently used to calculate the CBF (CBFDSC) and CBV (CBVDSC). The ratio of CBVSS to CBVDSC was used to calibrate measurements of CBV and CBF on a subject-by-subject basis. Results Agreement of values of CBV (1.77 ± 0.27 mL/100 g in white matter (WM), 3.65 ± 1.04 mL/100 g in gray matter (GM)), and CBF (23.6 ± 2.4 mL/(100 g min) in WM, 57.3 ± 18.2 mL/(100 g min) in GM) with published gold-standard values shows improvement after calibration. An F-test comparison of the coefficients of variation of the CBV and CBF showed a significant reduction, with calibration, of the variability of CBV in WM (P< 0.001) and GM (P < 0.03), and of CBF in WM (P < 0.0001). Conclusion The addition of a CBVSS measurement to an STD measurement of cerebral perfusion improves the accuracy of CBV and CBF measurements. The method may prove useful for assessing patients suffering from acute stroke. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2005;21:512,519. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Disparity of activation onset in sensory cortex from simultaneous auditory and visual stimulation: Differences between perfusion and blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imagingJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 2 2005Ho-Ling Liu PhD Abstract Purpose To compare the temporal behaviors of perfusion and blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in the detection of timing differences between distinct brain areas, and determine potential latency differences between stimulus onset and measurable fMRI signal in sensory cortices. Materials and Methods Inversion recovery (IR) spin-echo echo-planar imaging (EPI) and T2*-weighted gradient-echo EPI sequences were used for perfusion- and BOLD-weighted experiments, respectively. Simultaneous auditory and visual stimulations were employed in an event-related (ER) paradigm. Signal time courses were averaged across 40 repeated trials to evaluate the onset of activation and to determine potential differences of activation latency between auditory and visual cortices and between these scanning methods. Results Temporal differences between visual and auditory areas ranged from 90,200 msec (root-mean-square (RMS) = 134 msec) and from ,80 to 930 msec (RMS = 604 msec) in perfusion and BOLD measurements, respectively. The temporal variability detected with BOLD sequences was larger between subjects and was significantly greater than that in the perfusion response (P < 0.04). The measured time to half maximum (TTHM) values for perfusion imaging (visual, 3260 ± 710 msec; auditory, 3130 ± 700 msec) were earlier than those in BOLD responses (visual, 3770 ± 430 msec; auditory, 3360 ± 460 msec). Conclusion The greater temporal variability between brain areas detected with BOLD could result from differences in the venous contributions to the signal. The results suggest that perfusion methods may provide more accurate timing information of neuronal activities than BOLD-based imaging. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2005;21:111,117. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Simple anatomical measurements do not correlate significantly to individual peripheral nerve stimulation thresholds as measured in MRI gradient coilsJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 6 2003Blaine A. Chronik PhD Abstract Purpose To examine peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) thresholds for normal human subjects in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gradient coils, and determine if observed thresholds could be predicted based on gross physiologic measurements. Materials and Methods PNS thresholds for 21 healthy normal subjects were measured using a whole-body gradient coil. Subjects were exposed to a trapezoidal echo-planar imaging (EPI) gradient waveform and the total change in gradient strength (,G) required to cause PNS as a function of the duration of the gradient switching time (,) were measured. Correlation coefficients and corresponding P values were calculated for the PNS threshold measurements against simple physiologic measurements taken of the subjects, including weight, height, girth, and average body fat percentage, in order to determine if there were any easily observable dependencies. Results No convincing correlations between threshold parameters and gross physiologic measurements were observed. Conclusion These results suggest it is unlikely that a simple physiologic measurement of subject anatomy can be used to guide the operation of MRI scanners in a subject-specific manner in order to increase gradient system performance while avoiding PNS. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2003;17:716,721. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Diffusion-weighted MRI of cholesteatomas of the petrous boneJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 6 2002Clemens Fitzek MD Abstract Purpose To investigate if primary cholesteatomas of the petrous bone show high signal in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Materials and Methods In this blinded study, we compared 15 patients with clinically certain cases and later surgically proven cholesteatomas vs. 12 patients with clinically acute otitis of the middle ear and 20 volunteers without petrous bone disease. Two blinded readers without knowledge of the clinical data decided in consensus agreement whether there was a pathologic signal increase in the petrous bone in an anisotropic single-shot echo-planar imaging (EPI) DWI sequence, an artifact, or no signal increase. Results Thirteen of 15 patients with cholesteatomas showed bright signal in EPI DWI, whereas 10 of 12 patients with acute otitis media and all volunteers presented the usual low signal of petrous bone. Conclusion EPI DWI is a fast diagnostic method that may be an additional valuable tool in the workup of suspected cholesteatomas. The ability of this technique to differentiate between cholesteatomas and granulomas or chronic otitis is not yet available. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2002;15:636,641. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Diffusion-weighted imaging of the spinal cord: Interleaved echo-planar imaging is superior to fast spin-echoJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 4 2002Roland Bammer PhD Abstract Purpose To compare and evaluate two novel diffusion-weighted sequences, based either on fast spin-echo (FSE) or interleaved echo-planar imaging (EPI) methods, as potential tools for investing spinal cord abnormalities. Materials and Methods Following recent improvements, both interleaved EPI (IEPI) and FSE techniques could be alternative approaches for rapid diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Therefore, a navigated diffusion-weighted multishot FSE sequence and a fat-suppressed navigated diffusion-weighted IEPI sequence with local shimming capabilities were tested. Both methods were compared in a consecutive series of five healthy volunteers and five patients with suspected intramedullary lesions. The sequences were graded qualitatively as either superior, inferior, or equal in quality, and also quantitatively by measuring the amount of ghosting artifacts in the background. Quantitative measurements of the diffusion coefficients within the spine were included. Results The overall image quality of IEPI was superior to FSE. Two out of five FSE scans were rated with poor image quality, whereas all IEPI scans were of sufficient quality. The ghosting levels ranged from approximately 3.3% to 6.2% for IEPI and from approximately 7.5% to 18.9% for FSE. Diffusion coefficients measured in healthy volunteers were similar for both IEPI and FSE, but showed higher fluctuations with the FSE technique. Conclusion Despite potential advantages of FSE, the IEPI technique is preferable for DWI applications in the spinal cord. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2002;15:364,373. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Coronary artery imaging using contrast-enhanced 3D segmented EPIJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 5 2001Vibhas S. Deshpande BE Abstract The purpose of the work was to evaluate the effectiveness of extracellular contrast media in improving MR coronary angiography using breath-hold segmented echo-planar imaging (SEPI). Two protocols were designed to optimize the inversion recovery-prepared contrast-enhanced SEPI method. In 15 healthy volunteers, significant improvements in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), vessel sharpness, and length of visualization were observed post-contrast. The method with two targeted scans to cover the left and right arteries, respectively, following separate 20-mL contrast injections, was found to yield thinner slices and longer right coronary artery (RCA) visualization than a single scan following a 40-mL contrast injection without compromising SNR and CNR. In conclusion, extracellular contrast media substantially improves the delineation of coronary arteries with SEPI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2001;13:676,681. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Relationship between bone marrow cellularity and apparent diffusion coefficientJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 5 2001Yoshie Nonomura MD Abstract This study was performed to determine if there is a relationship between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and cellularity of bone marrow of the posterior ilium. Four groups of various marrow cellularity underwent diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging: 1) adults with normal hypocellularity (21 patients); 2) adults with normal normocellularity (13 patients); 3) young children with normal hypercellularity (5 patients); and 4) adults with lymphoma-related hypercellularity (3 patients). In all adults, marrow cellularity was confirmed by uni-or bilateral bone marrow biopsies. In children, the iliac marrow was presumed hypercellular because of their ages. A total of 66 ADC values of bone marrow calculated from diffusion-weighted images with b-values of 30 and 300 seconds/mm2 was evaluated. Hypercellular marrow (normal and lymphoma-related) showed the highest mean ADC, and hypocellular the lowest ADC. Statistically significant differences were found between three groups of normal marrow: hypocellular, normocellular, and hypercellular. There is a positive correlation between ADC and cellularity of bone marrow. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2001;13:757,760. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A simple low-SAR technique for chemical-shift selection with high-field spin-echo imagingMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 2 2010Dimo Ivanov Abstract We have discovered a simple and highly robust method for removal of chemical shift artifact in spin-echo MR images, which simultaneously decreases the radiofrequency power deposition (specific absorption rate). The method is demonstrated in spin-echo echo-planar imaging brain images acquired at 7 T, with complete suppression of scalp fat signal. When excitation and refocusing pulses are sufficiently different in duration, and thus also different in the amplitude of their slice-select gradients, a spatial mismatch is produced between the fat slices excited and refocused, with no overlap. Because no additional radiofrequency pulse is used to suppress fat, the specific absorption rate is significantly reduced compared with conventional approaches. This enables greater volume coverage per unit time, well suited for functional and diffusion studies using spin-echo echo-planar imaging. Moreover, the method can be generally applied to any sequence involving slice-selective excitation and at least one slice-selective refocusing pulse at high magnetic field strengths. The method is more efficient than gradient reversal methods and more robust against inhomogeneities of the static (polarizing) field (B0). Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Diffusion imaging in humans at 7T using readout-segmented EPI and GRAPPAMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 1 2010Robin M. Heidemann Abstract Anatomical MRI studies at 7T have demonstrated the ability to provide high-quality images of human tissue in vivo. However, diffusion-weighted imaging at 7T is limited by the increased level of artifact associated with standard, single-shot, echo-planar imaging, even when parallel imaging techniques such as generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisitions (GRAPPA) are used to reduce the effective echo spacing. Readout-segmented echo-planar imaging in conjunction with parallel imaging has the potential to reduce these artifacts by allowing a further reduction in effective echo spacing during the echo-planar imaging readout. This study demonstrates that this approach does indeed provide a substantial improvement in image quality by reducing image blurring and susceptibility-based distortions, as well as by allowing the acquisition of diffusion-weighted images with a high spatial resolution. A preliminary application of the technique to high-resolution diffusion tensor imaging provided a high level of neuroanatomical detail, which should prove valuable in a wide range of applications. Magn Reson Med 64:9,14, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Super-resolved spatially encoded single-scan 2D MRIMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 6 2010Noam Ben-Eliezer Abstract Single-scan MRI underlies a wide variety of clinical and research activities, including functional and diffusion studies. Most common among these "ultrafast" MRI approaches is echo-planar imaging. Notwithstanding its proven success, echo-planar imaging still faces a number of limitations, particularly as a result of susceptibility heterogeneities and of chemical shift effects that can become acute at high fields. The present study explores a new approach for acquiring multidimensional MR images in a single scan, which possesses a higher built-in immunity to this kind of heterogeneity while retaining echo-planar imaging's temporal and spatial performances. This new protocol combines a novel approach to multidimensional spectroscopy, based on the spatial encoding of the spin interactions, with image reconstruction algorithms based on super-resolution principles. Single-scan two-dimensional MRI examples of the performance improvements provided by the resulting imaging protocol are illustrated using phantom-based and in vivo experiments. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Improvements in parallel imaging accelerated functional MRI using multiecho echo-planar imaging,MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 4 2010Heiko Schmiedeskamp Abstract Multiecho echo-planar imaging (EPI) was implemented for blood-oxygenation-level-dependent functional MRI at 1.5 T and compared to single-echo EPI with and without parallel imaging acceleration. A time-normalized breath-hold task using a block design functional MRI protocol was carried out in combination with up to four echo trains per excitation and parallel imaging acceleration factors R = 1,3. Experiments were conducted in five human subjects, each scanned in three sessions. Across all reduction factors, both signal-to-fluctuation-noise ratio and the total number of activated voxels were significantly lower using a single-echo EPI pulse sequence compared with the multiecho approach. Signal-to-fluctuation-noise ratio and total number of activated voxels were also considerably reduced for nonaccelerated conventional single-echo EPI when compared to three-echo measurements with R = 2. Parallel imaging accelerated multiecho EPI reduced geometric distortions and signal dropout, while it increased blood-oxygenation-level-dependent signal sensitivity all over the brain, particularly in regions with short underlying T*2. Thus, the presented method showed multiple advantages over conventional single-echo EPI for standard blood-oxygenation-level-dependent functional MRI experiments. Magn Reson Med 63:959,969, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Multishot diffusion-weighted SPLICE PROPELLER MRI of the abdomenMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 5 2008Jie Deng Abstract Multishot FSE (fast spin echo)-based diffusion-weighted (DW)-PROPELLER (periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction) MRI offers the potential to reduce susceptibility artifacts associated with single-shot DW-EPI (echo-planar imaging) approaches. However, DW-PROPELLER in the abdomen is challenging due to the large field-of-view and respiratory motion during DW preparation. Incoherent signal phase due to motion will violate the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) conditions, leading to destructive interference between spin echo and stimulated echo signals and consequent signal cancellation. The SPLICE (split-echo acquisition of FSE signals) technique can mitigate non-CPMG artifacts in FSE-based sequences. For SPLICE, spin echo and stimulated echo are separated by using imbalanced readout gradients and extended acquisition window. Two signal families each with coherent phase properties are acquired at different intervals within the readout window. Separate reconstruction of these two signal families can avoid destructive phase interference. Phantom studies were performed to validate signal phase properties with different initial magnetization phases. This study evaluated the feasibility of combining SPLICE and PROPELLER for DW imaging of the abdomen. It is demonstrated that DW-SPLICE-PROPELLER can effectively mitigate non-CPMG artifacts and improve DW image quality and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map homogeneity. Magn Reson Med 59:947,953, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] BOLD contrast sensitivity enhancement and artifact reduction with multiecho EPI: Parallel-acquired inhomogeneity-desensitized fMRIMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 6 2006Benedikt A. Poser Abstract Functional MRI (fMRI) generally employs gradient-echo echo-planar imaging (GE-EPI) to measure blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal changes that result from changes in tissue relaxation time T between activation and rest. Since T strongly varies across the brain and BOLD contrast is maximal only where the echo time (TE) equals the local T, imaging at a single TE is a compromise in terms of overall sensitivity. Furthermore, the long echo train makes EPI very sensitive to main field inhomogeneities, causing strong image distortion. A method is presented that uses accelerated parallel imaging to reduce image artifacts and acquire images at multiple TEs following a single excitation, with no need to increase TR. Sensitivity gains from the broadened T coverage are optimized by pixelwise weighted echo summation based on local T or contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) measurements. The method was evaluated using an approach that allows differential BOLD CNR to be calculated without stimulation, as well as with a Stroop experiment. Results obtained at 3 T showed that BOLD sensitivity improved by 11% or more in all brain regions, with larger gains in areas typically affected by strong susceptibility artifacts. The use of parallel imaging markedly reduces image distortion, and hence the method should find widespread application in functional brain imaging. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Functional perfusion imaging using continuous arterial spin labeling with separate labeling and imaging coils at 3 TMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 5 2003Toralf Mildner Abstract Functional perfusion imaging with a separate labeling coil located above the common carotid artery was demonstrated in human volunteers at 3 T. A helmet resonator and a spin-echo echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequence were used for imaging, and a circular surface coil of 6 cm i.d. was employed for labeling. The subjects performed a finger-tapping task. Signal differences between the condition of finger tapping and the resting state were between ,0.5% and ,1.1 % among the subjects. The imaging protocol included a long post-label delay (PLD) to reduce transit time effects. Labeling was applied for all repetitions of the functional run to reduce the sampling interval. Magn Reson Med 49:791,795, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Correction of concomitant magnetic field-induced image artifacts in nonaxial echo-planar imaging,MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 3 2002Yiping P. Du Abstract Echo-planar images acquired in nonaxial planes are often distorted. Such image distortion has limited the applications of the echo-planar imaging (EPI) technique. In this article, it is demonstrated that a considerable amount of the distortion is caused by the higher-order magnetic field concomitant with the linear magnetic field gradient, or the concomitant magnetic field. The image distortion caused by the concomitant magnetic field is more prominent when a higher gradient amplitude is used for readout. It is also shown that the concomitant magnetic field can cause ghosting and blurring. A theoretical analysis is performed for the concomitant field effect in nonaxial EPI images. A point-by-point (or line-by-line) phase correction algorithm is developed to correct the image distortion, ghosting, and blurring. A postreconstruction processing algorithm is also developed to correct image distortion with much higher computational efficiency. Experimental results show that both correction methods effectively reduce the image distortion in coronal or sagittal images. Magn Reson Med 48:509,515, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Image-based EPI ghost correction using an algorithm based on projection onto convex sets (POCS)MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 4 2002K.J. Lee Abstract This work describes the use of a method, based on the projection onto convex sets (POCS) algorithm, for reduction of the N/2 ghost in echo-planar imaging (EPI). In this method, ghosts outside the parent image are set to zero and a model k -space is obtained from the Fourier transform (FT) of the resulting image. The zeroth- and first-order phase corrections for each line of the original k -space are estimated by comparison with the corresponding line in the model k -space. To overcome problems of phase wrapping, the first-order phase corrections for the lines of the original k -space are estimated by registration with the corresponding lines in the model k -space. It is shown that applying these corrections will result in a reduction of the ghost, and that iterating the process will result in a convergence towards an image in which the ghost is minimized. The method is tested on spin-echo EPI data. The results show that the method is robust and remarkably effective, reducing the N/2 ghost to a level nearly comparable to that achieved with reference scans. Magn Reson Med 47:812,817, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Applications of diffusion-weighted and diffusion tensor MRI to white matter diseases , a reviewNMR IN BIOMEDICINE, Issue 7-8 2002Mark A. Horsfield Abstract This paper reviews the current applications of diffusion-weighted and diffusion tensor MRI in diseases of the brain white matter. The contribution that diffusion-weighted imaging has made to our understanding of white matter diseases is critically appraised. The quantitative nature of diffusion MRI is one of its major attractions; however, this is offset by the more advanced hardware required to collect diffusion-weighted images reliably, and the more complex processing to produce quantitative parametric diffusion images. With the now common availability of scanners equipped to perform echo-planar imaging, the acquisition of diffusion tensor images is sure to become more widespread and routine. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||