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Riemann LT, Aigner CS, Mekle R, Speck O, Rose G, Ittermann B, Schmitter S, Fillmer A. Fourier-based decomposition for simultaneous 2-voxel MRS acquisition with 2SPECIAL. Magn Reson Med 2022; 88:1978-1993. [PMID: 35906900 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To simultaneously acquire spectroscopic signals from two MRS voxels using a multi-banded 2 spin-echo, full-intensity acquired localized (2SPECIAL) sequence, and to decompose the signal to their respective regions by a novel voxel-GRAPPA (vGRAPPA) decomposition approach for in vivo brain applications at 7 T. METHODS A wideband, uniform rate, smooth truncation (WURST) multi-banded pulse was incorporated into SPECIAL to implement 2SPECIAL for simultaneous multi-voxel spectroscopy (sMVS). To decompose the acquired data, the voxel-GRAPPA decomposition algorithm is introduced, and its performance is compared to the SENSE-based decomposition. Furthermore, the limitations of two-voxel excitation concerning the multi-banded adiabatic inversion pulse, as well as of the combined B0 shim and B1 + adjustments, are evaluated. RESULTS It was successfully shown that the 2SPECIAL sequence enables sMVS without a significant loss in SNR while reducing the total scan time by 21.6% compared to two consecutive acquisitions. The proposed voxel-GRAPPA algorithm properly reassigns the signal components to their respective origin region and shows no significant differences to the well-established SENSE-based algorithm in terms of leakage (both <10%) or Cramér-Rao lower bounds (CRLB) for in vivo applications, while not requiring the acquisition of additional sensitivity maps and thus decreasing motion sensitivity. CONCLUSION The use of 2SPECIAL in combination with the novel voxel-GRAPPA decomposition technique allows a substantial reduction of measurement time compared to the consecutive acquisition of two single voxels without a significant decrease in spectral quality or metabolite quantification accuracy and thus provides a new option for multiple-voxel applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layla Tabea Riemann
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig und Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Ralf Mekle
- Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver Speck
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.,Research Campus STIMULATE, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Georg Rose
- Research Campus STIMULATE, Magdeburg, Germany.,Institut für Medizintechnik, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Ittermann
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig und Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Schmitter
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig und Berlin, Germany.,Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ariane Fillmer
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig und Berlin, Germany
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2
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Dorst J, Borbath T, Landheer K, Avdievich N, Henning A. Simultaneous detection of metabolite concentration changes, water BOLD signal and pH changes during visual stimulation in the human brain at 9.4T. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2022; 42:1104-1119. [PMID: 35060409 PMCID: PMC9121534 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x221075892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This study presents a method to directly link metabolite concentration changes and BOLD response in the human brain during visual stimulation by measuring the water and metabolite signals simultaneously. Therefore, the metabolite-cycling (MC) non-water suppressed semiLASER localization technique was optimized for functional 1H MRS in the human brain at 9.4 T. Data of 13 volunteers were acquired during a 26:40 min visual stimulation block-design paradigm. Activation-induced BOLD signal was observed in the MC water signal as well as in the NAA-CH3 and tCr-CH3 singlets. During stimulation, glutamate concentration increased 2.3 ± 2.0% to a new steady-state, while a continuous increase over the whole stimulation period could be observed in lactate with a mean increase of 35.6 ± 23.1%. These increases of Lac and Glu during brain activation confirm previous findings reported in literature. A positive correlation of the MC water BOLD signal with glutamate and lactate concentration changes was found. In addition, a pH decrease calculated from a change in the ratio of PCr to Cr was observed during brain activation, particularly at the onset of the stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Dorst
- High-Field MR Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.,IMPRS for Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience, 9188University of Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tamas Borbath
- High-Field MR Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.,Faculty of Science, 9188University of Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Nikolai Avdievich
- High-Field MR Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anke Henning
- High-Field MR Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.,Advanced Imaging Research Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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3
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Hangel G, Niess E, Lazen P, Bednarik P, Bogner W, Strasser B. Emerging methods and applications of ultra-high field MR spectroscopic imaging in the human brain. Anal Biochem 2022; 638:114479. [PMID: 34838516 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2021.114479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI) of the brain enables insights into the metabolic changes and fluxes in diseases such as tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, or hepatic encephalopathy, as well as insights into general brain functionality. However, the routine application of MRSI is mostly hampered by very low signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) due to the low concentrations of metabolites, about 10000 times lower than water. Furthermore, MRSI spectra have a dense information content with many overlapping metabolite resonances, especially for proton MRSI. MRI scanners at ultra-high field strengths, like 7 T or above, offer the opportunity to increase SNR, as well as the separation between resonances, thus promising to solve both challenges. Yet, MRSI at ultra-high field strengths is challenged by decreased B0- and B1-homogeneity, shorter T2 relaxation times, stronger chemical shift displacement errors, and aggravated lipid contamination. Therefore, to capitalize on the advantages of ultra-high field strengths, these challenges must be overcome. This review focuses on the challenges MRSI of the human brain faces at ultra-high field strength, as well as the possible applications to this date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert Hangel
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Medical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Niess
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Medical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Philipp Lazen
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Medical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Petr Bednarik
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Medical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Bogner
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Medical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Strasser
- High Field MR Centre, Department of Medical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
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4
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Shi Y, Clare S, Vannesjo SJ. Shim optimization with region of interest-specific Tikhonov regularization: Application to second-order slice-wise shimming of the brain. Magn Reson Med 2021; 87:1218-1230. [PMID: 34783374 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Slice-wise shimming can improve field homogeneity, but suffers from large noise propagation in the shim calculation. Here, we propose a robust shim current optimization for higher-order dynamic shim updating, based on Tikhonov regularization with a variable regularization parameter, λ . THEORY AND METHODS: λ was selected for each slice separately in a fully automatic procedure based on a combination of boundary constraints and an L-curve search algorithm. Shimming performance was evaluated for second order slice-wise shimming of the brain at 7T, by simulation on a database of field maps from 143 subjects, and by direct measurements in 8 subjects. RESULTS Simulations yielded on average 36% reduction in the shim current norm for just 0.4 Hz increase in residual field SD as compared to unconstrained unregularized optimization. In vivo results yielded on average 34.0 Hz residual field SD as compared to 34.3 Hz with a constrained unregularized optimization, while simultaneously reducing the shim current norm to 2.8 A from 3.9 A. The proposed regularization also reduced the average step in the shim current between slices. CONCLUSION Slice-wise variable Tikhonov regularization yielded reduced current norm and current steps to a negligible cost in field inhomogeneity. The method holds promise to increase the robustness, and thereby the utility, of higher-order shim updating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Shi
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart Clare
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Signe Johanna Vannesjo
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
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5
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Riemann LT, Aigner CS, Ellison SLR, Brühl R, Mekle R, Schmitter S, Speck O, Rose G, Ittermann B, Fillmer A. Assessment of measurement precision in single-voxel spectroscopy at 7 T: Toward minimal detectable changes of metabolite concentrations in the human brain in vivo. Magn Reson Med 2021; 87:1119-1135. [PMID: 34783376 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To introduce a study design and statistical analysis framework to assess the repeatability, reproducibility, and minimal detectable changes (MDCs) of metabolite concentrations determined by in vivo MRS. METHODS An unbalanced nested study design was chosen to acquire in vivo MRS data within different repeatability and reproducibility scenarios. A spin-echo, full-intensity acquired localized (SPECIAL) sequence was employed at 7 T utlizing three different inversion pulses: a hyperbolic secant (HS), a gradient offset independent adiabaticity (GOIA), and a wideband, uniform rate, smooth truncation (WURST) pulse. Metabolite concentrations, Cramér-Rao lower bounds (CRLBs) and coefficients of variation (CVs) were calculated. Both Bland-Altman analysis and a restricted maximum-likelihood estimation (REML) analysis were performed to estimate the different variance contributions of the repeatability and reproducibility of the measured concentration. A Bland-Altmann analysis of the spectral shape was performed to assess the variance of the spectral shape, independent of quantification model influences. RESULTS For the used setup, minimal detectable changes of brain metabolite concentrations were found to be between 0.40 µmol/g and 2.23 µmol/g. CRLBs account for only 16 % to 74 % of the total variance of the metabolite concentrations. The application of gradient-modulated inversion pulses in SPECIAL led to slightly improved repeatability, but overall reproducibility appeared to be limited by differences in positioning, calibration, and other day-to-day variations throughout different sessions. CONCLUSION A framework is introduced to estimate the precision of metabolite concentrations obtained by MRS in vivo, and the minimal detectable changes for 13 metabolite concentrations measured at 7 T using SPECIAL are obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rüdiger Brühl
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Braunschweig und Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Mekle
- Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Oliver Speck
- Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.,Research Campus STIMULATE, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Georg Rose
- Research Campus STIMULATE, Magdeburg, Germany.,Institut für Medizintechnik, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Bernd Ittermann
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Braunschweig und Berlin, Germany
| | - Ariane Fillmer
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Braunschweig und Berlin, Germany
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6
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Platt T, Ladd ME, Paech D. 7 Tesla and Beyond: Advanced Methods and Clinical Applications in Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Invest Radiol 2021; 56:705-725. [PMID: 34510098 PMCID: PMC8505159 DOI: 10.1097/rli.0000000000000820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Ultrahigh magnetic fields offer significantly higher signal-to-noise ratio, and several magnetic resonance applications additionally benefit from a higher contrast-to-noise ratio, with static magnetic field strengths of B0 ≥ 7 T currently being referred to as ultrahigh fields (UHFs). The advantages of UHF can be used to resolve structures more precisely or to visualize physiological/pathophysiological effects that would be difficult or even impossible to detect at lower field strengths. However, with these advantages also come challenges, such as inhomogeneities applying standard radiofrequency excitation techniques, higher energy deposition in the human body, and enhanced B0 field inhomogeneities. The advantages but also the challenges of UHF as well as promising advanced methodological developments and clinical applications that particularly benefit from UHF are discussed in this review article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Platt
- From the Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
| | - Mark E. Ladd
- From the Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
- Faculty of Physics and Astronomy
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg
- Erwin L. Hahn Institute for MRI, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen
| | - Daniel Paech
- Division of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg
- Clinic for Neuroradiology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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7
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Maudsley AA, Andronesi OC, Barker PB, Bizzi A, Bogner W, Henning A, Nelson SJ, Posse S, Shungu DC, Soher BJ. Advanced magnetic resonance spectroscopic neuroimaging: Experts' consensus recommendations. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2021; 34:e4309. [PMID: 32350978 PMCID: PMC7606742 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) offers considerable promise for monitoring metabolic alterations associated with disease or injury; however, to date, these methods have not had a significant impact on clinical care, and their use remains largely confined to the research community and a limited number of clinical sites. The MRSI methods currently implemented on clinical MRI instruments have remained essentially unchanged for two decades, with only incremental improvements in sequence implementation. During this time, a number of technological developments have taken place that have already greatly benefited the quality of MRSI measurements within the research community and which promise to bring advanced MRSI studies to the point where the technique becomes a true imaging modality, while making the traditional review of individual spectra a secondary requirement. Furthermore, the increasing use of biomedical MR spectroscopy studies has indicated clinical areas where advanced MRSI methods can provide valuable information for clinical care. In light of this rapidly changing technological environment and growing understanding of the value of MRSI studies for biomedical studies, this article presents a consensus from a group of experts in the field that reviews the state-of-the-art for clinical proton MRSI studies of the human brain, recommends minimal standards for further development of vendor-provided MRSI implementations, and identifies areas which need further technical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Maudsley
- Department of Radiology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Ovidiu C Andronesi
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Peter B Barker
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and the Kennedy Krieger Institute, F.M. Kirby Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alberto Bizzi
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Wolfgang Bogner
- High Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anke Henning
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Sarah J Nelson
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Stefan Posse
- Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Dikoma C Shungu
- Department of Neuroradiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Brian J Soher
- Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
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8
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9
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Geldschläger O, Bosch D, Avdievich NI, Henning A. Ultrahigh-resolution quantitative spinal cord MRI at 9.4T. Magn Reson Med 2020; 85:1013-1027. [PMID: 32789980 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To present the results of the first human spinal cord in vivo MRI scans at 9.4T. METHODS A human brain coil was used to image the human spinal cord at 9.4T. All anatomical images were acquired with a T2 *-weighted gradient-echo sequence. A comparison of the influence of four different B0 shimming routines on the image quality was performed. Intrinsic signal-to-noise-ratio maps were determined using a pseudo-multiple replica approach. Measurements with different echo times were compared and processed to one multiecho data image combination image. Based on the multiecho acquisitions, T2 *-relaxation time maps were calculated. Algorithmic spinal cord detection and gray matter/white matter segmentation were tested. RESULTS An echo time between 9 and 13.8 ms compromised best between gray matter/white matter contrast and image quality. A maximum in-plane resolution of 0.15 × 0.15 mm2 was achieved for anatomical images. These images offered excellent image quality and made small structures of the spinal cord visible. The scanner vendor implemented B0 shimming routine performed best during this work. Intrinsic signal-to-noise-ratio values of between 6600 and 8060 at the upper cervical spinal cord were achieved. Detection and segmentation worked reliably. An average T2 *-time of 24.88 ms ± 6.68 ms for gray matter and 19.37 ms ± 8.66 ms for white matter was calculated. CONCLUSION The proposed human brain coil can be used to image the spinal cord. The maximum in-plane resolution in this work was higher compared with the 7T results from the literature. The 9.4T acquisitions made the small structures of the spinal cord clearly visible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ole Geldschläger
- High-Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dario Bosch
- High-Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.,Biomedical Magnetic Resonance, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nikolai I Avdievich
- High-Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anke Henning
- High-Field Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.,Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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10
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Hock M, Terekhov M, Stefanescu MR, Lohr D, Herz S, Reiter T, Ankenbrand M, Kosmala A, Gassenmaier T, Juchem C, Schreiber LM. B 0 shimming of the human heart at 7T. Magn Reson Med 2020; 85:182-196. [PMID: 32700791 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Inhomogeneities of the static magnetic B0 field are a major limiting factor in cardiac MRI at ultrahigh field (≥ 7T), as they result in signal loss and image distortions. Different magnetic susceptibilities of the myocardium and surrounding tissue in combination with cardiac motion lead to strong spatio-temporal B0 -field inhomogeneities, and their homogenization (B0 shimming) is a prerequisite. Limitations of state-of-the-art shimming are described, regional B0 variations are measured, and a methodology for spherical harmonics shimming of the B0 field within the human myocardium is proposed. METHODS The spatial B0 -field distribution in the heart was analyzed as well as temporal B0 -field variations in the myocardium over the cardiac cycle. Different shim region-of-interest selections were compared, and hardware limitations of spherical harmonics B0 shimming were evaluated by calibration-based B0 -field modeling. The role of third-order spherical harmonics terms was analyzed as well as potential benefits from cardiac phase-specific shimming. RESULTS The strongest B0 -field inhomogeneities were observed in localized spots within the left-ventricular and right-ventricular myocardium and varied between systolic and diastolic cardiac phases. An anatomy-driven shim region-of-interest selection allowed for improved B0 -field homogeneity compared with a standard shim region-of-interest cuboid. Third-order spherical harmonics terms were demonstrated to be beneficial for shimming of these myocardial B0 -field inhomogeneities. Initial results from the in vivo implementation of a potential shim strategy were obtained. Simulated cardiac phase-specific shimming was performed, and a shim term-by-term analysis revealed periodic variations of required currents. CONCLUSION Challenges in state-of-the-art B0 shimming of the human heart at 7 T were described. Cardiac phase-specific shimming strategies were found to be superior to vendor-supplied shimming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hock
- Chair of Cellular and Molecular Imaging, Comprehensive Heart Failure Center (CHFC), University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Maxim Terekhov
- Chair of Cellular and Molecular Imaging, Comprehensive Heart Failure Center (CHFC), University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Maria Roxana Stefanescu
- Chair of Cellular and Molecular Imaging, Comprehensive Heart Failure Center (CHFC), University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - David Lohr
- Chair of Cellular and Molecular Imaging, Comprehensive Heart Failure Center (CHFC), University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Herz
- Chair of Cellular and Molecular Imaging, Comprehensive Heart Failure Center (CHFC), University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.,Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Theresa Reiter
- Chair of Cellular and Molecular Imaging, Comprehensive Heart Failure Center (CHFC), University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.,Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Ankenbrand
- Chair of Cellular and Molecular Imaging, Comprehensive Heart Failure Center (CHFC), University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Aleksander Kosmala
- Chair of Cellular and Molecular Imaging, Comprehensive Heart Failure Center (CHFC), University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.,Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Gassenmaier
- Chair of Cellular and Molecular Imaging, Comprehensive Heart Failure Center (CHFC), University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany.,Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Juchem
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Radiology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Laura Maria Schreiber
- Chair of Cellular and Molecular Imaging, Comprehensive Heart Failure Center (CHFC), University Hospital Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany
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11
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Gach HM, Curcuru AN, Mutic S, Kim T. B 0 field homogeneity recommendations, specifications, and measurement units for MRI in radiation therapy. Med Phys 2020; 47:4101-4114. [PMID: 32472707 DOI: 10.1002/mp.14306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose is: (a) Relate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) quality recommendations for radiation therapy (RT) to B0 field homogeneity; (b) Evaluate manufacturer specifications of B0 homogeneity for 34 commercial whole-body MRI systems based on the MRI quality recommendations and RT application; (c) Measure field homogeneity in five commercial MRI systems and one commercial MRI-Linac used in RT and compare the results with their B0 homogeneity specifications. METHODS Magnetic resonance imaging quality recommendations for spatial integrity, image blurring, fat saturation, and null banding in RT were developed based on the literature. Guaranteed (maximum) and typical B0 field homogeneity specifications for various diameter spherical volumes (DSVs) were provided by GE, Philips, Siemens, and Canon. For each system, the DSV that conforms to each MRI quality recommendation and anatomical RT application was estimated based on the manufacturer specifications. B0 field homogeneity was measured on six MRI systems including Philips (1.5 T), Siemens (1.5 and 3 T), and ViewRay MRI (0.35 T) systems using 24 and 35 cm DSV spherical phantoms. Two measurement techniques were used: (a) MRI using phase contrast field mapping to measure peak-to-peak (pk-pk), volume root mean square (VRMS), and standard deviation (SD); and (b) Magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy by acquiring a volumetric free induction decay (FID) to measure full width at half maximum (FWHM). The measurements were used to assess: (a) conformance with the manufacturer specifications; and (b) the relationship between the various field homogeneity measurement units. Measurements were made with and without gradient shimming (gradshim) or second-order active shimming. Multiple comparisons, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlations were performed to assess the dependence of pk-pk, VRMS, SD, and FWHM measurements of field homogeneity on shim volume, level of shim, and MRI system. RESULTS For a 40 cm DSV, the B0 homogeneity specifications ranged from 0.35 to 5 ppm (median = 0.75 ppm) VRMS for 1.5 T systems and 0.2 to 1.4 ppm (median = 0.5 ppm) VRMS for 3 T systems. The usable DSVs ranged from 16 to 49 cm (median = 35 cm) based on the image quality recommendations and the manufacturer specifications. There was general compliance between the six measured field homogeneities and manufacturer specifications although signal dephasing was observed in two systems at < 35 cm DSV. The relationships between pk-pk, VRMS, SD, and FWHM varied based on MRI system, shim volume, and quality of shim. However, VRMS and SD measurements were highly correlated. CONCLUSIONS The delineation of the diseased lesion from organs at risk is the main priority for RT. Therefore, field homogeneity performance for RT must minimize image blurring and image artifacts (null bands and signal dephasing) while optimizing spatial integrity and fat saturation. Based on the specifications and recommendations for field homogeneity, some MRI systems are not well suited to meet the strict demands of RT particularly for the large imaging volumes used in body MRI. VRMS and SD measurements of B0 field homogeneity tend to be more stable and sensitive to field inhomogeneities in RT applications than pk-pk and FWHM.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Michael Gach
- Departments of Radiation Oncology, Radiology, and Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Austen N Curcuru
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Sasa Mutic
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Taeho Kim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
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12
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Coello E, Hafalir FS, Noeske R, Menzel M, Haase A, Menze B, Schulte RF. Overdiscrete echo-planar spectroscopic imaging with correlated higher-order phase correction. Magn Reson Med 2019; 84:11-24. [PMID: 31828853 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To introduce a robust methodology for fast 1 H MRSI of the brain at 3T with improved SNR and reduced phase-related artifacts. METHOD An accelerated acquisition scheme using echo-planar spectroscopic imaging (EPSI) was combined with the overdiscrete reconstruction framework. This approach enables the interleaved acquisition of a water reference scan at each phase encoding step, maximizing its correlation with the water-suppressed measurement. Moreover, a generalized high-order phase correction was incorporated into the reconstruction pipeline. The spatial-temporal phase correction term was estimated from the reference scan and interpolated to high resolution using a polynomial basis. The method was implemented at 3T and validated with phantom and in vivo experiments. RESULTS The methodology showed the elimination of spectral artifacts generated by phase disturbances and achieved mean SNR gains in vivo of 3.18 and 1.19 compared to standard reconstructions with corrections performed at nominal and high resolution, respectively. EPSI scans with interleaved water acquisition showed to be robust to system instabilities and potentially to patient motion. Moreover, phase distortions were effectively corrected in a single step, avoiding additional reference measurements and post-processing steps. CONCLUSION The overdiscrete reconstruction framework with high-order phase correction allowed to effectively correct for distortions, related to B0 inhomogeneities, B0 drift, eddy currents, and system vibrations. Furthermore, the presented reconstruction method, combined with EPSI acquisitions, demonstrated improved measurement stability, substantial SNR enhancement, better spectral linewidth, and effective artifact removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Coello
- Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.,GE Healthcare, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Marion Menzel
- Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany.,GE Healthcare, Munich, Germany
| | - Axel Haase
- Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
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13
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Gast LV, Henning A, Hensel B, Uder M, Nagel AM. Localized
B
0
shimming based on
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Na MRI at 7 T. Magn Reson Med 2019; 83:1339-1347. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lena V. Gast
- Institute of Radiology University Hospital Erlangen Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU) Erlangen Germany
| | - Anke Henning
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics Tübingen Germany
- Advanced Imaging Research Center UT Southwestern Medical Center Dallas Texas
| | - Bernhard Hensel
- Center for Medical Physics and Engineering Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU) Erlangen Germany
| | - Michael Uder
- Institute of Radiology University Hospital Erlangen Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU) Erlangen Germany
| | - Armin M. Nagel
- Institute of Radiology University Hospital Erlangen Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU) Erlangen Germany
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) Heidelberg Germany
- Institute of Medical Physics Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg (FAU) Erlangen Germany
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14
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Wilson M, Andronesi O, Barker PB, Bartha R, Bizzi A, Bolan PJ, Brindle KM, Choi IY, Cudalbu C, Dydak U, Emir UE, Gonzalez RG, Gruber S, Gruetter R, Gupta RK, Heerschap A, Henning A, Hetherington HP, Huppi PS, Hurd RE, Kantarci K, Kauppinen RA, Klomp DWJ, Kreis R, Kruiskamp MJ, Leach MO, Lin AP, Luijten PR, Marjańska M, Maudsley AA, Meyerhoff DJ, Mountford CE, Mullins PG, Murdoch JB, Nelson SJ, Noeske R, Öz G, Pan JW, Peet AC, Poptani H, Posse S, Ratai EM, Salibi N, Scheenen TWJ, Smith ICP, Soher BJ, Tkáč I, Vigneron DB, Howe FA. Methodological consensus on clinical proton MRS of the brain: Review and recommendations. Magn Reson Med 2019; 82:527-550. [PMID: 30919510 PMCID: PMC7179569 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Proton MRS (1 H MRS) provides noninvasive, quantitative metabolite profiles of tissue and has been shown to aid the clinical management of several brain diseases. Although most modern clinical MR scanners support MRS capabilities, routine use is largely restricted to specialized centers with good access to MR research support. Widespread adoption has been slow for several reasons, and technical challenges toward obtaining reliable good-quality results have been identified as a contributing factor. Considerable progress has been made by the research community to address many of these challenges, and in this paper a consensus is presented on deficiencies in widely available MRS methodology and validated improvements that are currently in routine use at several clinical research institutions. In particular, the localization error for the PRESS localization sequence was found to be unacceptably high at 3 T, and use of the semi-adiabatic localization by adiabatic selective refocusing sequence is a recommended solution. Incorporation of simulated metabolite basis sets into analysis routines is recommended for reliably capturing the full spectral detail available from short TE acquisitions. In addition, the importance of achieving a highly homogenous static magnetic field (B0 ) in the acquisition region is emphasized, and the limitations of current methods and hardware are discussed. Most recommendations require only software improvements, greatly enhancing the capabilities of clinical MRS on existing hardware. Implementation of these recommendations should strengthen current clinical applications and advance progress toward developing and validating new MRS biomarkers for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Wilson
- Centre for Human Brain Health and School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England
| | - Ovidiu Andronesi
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Peter B Barker
- Department of Radiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Robert Bartha
- Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
| | - Alberto Bizzi
- U.O. Neuroradiologia, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy
| | - Patrick J Bolan
- Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Kevin M Brindle
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England
| | - In-Young Choi
- Department of Neurology, Hoglund Brain Imaging Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Cristina Cudalbu
- Center for Biomedical Imaging, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Dydak
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Uzay E Emir
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
| | - Ramon G Gonzalez
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stephan Gruber
- High Field MR Center, Department of Biomedical imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rolf Gruetter
- Laboratory for Functional and Metabolic Imaging, Center for Biomedical Imaging, Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Rakesh K Gupta
- Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, Haryana, India
| | - Arend Heerschap
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Anke Henning
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tuebingen, Germany
| | | | - Petra S Huppi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ralph E Hurd
- Stanford Radiological Sciences Lab, Stanford, California
| | - Kejal Kantarci
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Risto A Kauppinen
- School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, England
| | | | - Roland Kreis
- Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Martin O Leach
- CRUK Cancer Imaging Centre, Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden Hospital, London, England
| | - Alexander P Lin
- Center for Clinical Spectroscopy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard University Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Małgorzata Marjańska
- Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | | | - Dieter J Meyerhoff
- DVA Medical Center and Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | | | - Paul G Mullins
- Bangor Imaging Unit, School of Psychology, Bangor University, Bangor, Wales
| | | | - Sarah J Nelson
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | | | - Gülin Öz
- Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Julie W Pan
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Andrew C Peet
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England
| | - Harish Poptani
- Centre for Preclinical Imaging, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, England
| | - Stefan Posse
- Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
| | - Eva-Maria Ratai
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nouha Salibi
- MR R&D, Siemens Healthineers, Malvern, Pennsylvania
| | - Tom W J Scheenen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Brian J Soher
- Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Ivan Tkáč
- Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Daniel B Vigneron
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Franklyn A Howe
- Molecular and Clinical Sciences, St George's University of London, London, England
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15
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General technical remarks on 1HMRS translational research in 7T. Pol J Radiol 2019; 84:e190-e197. [PMID: 31481990 PMCID: PMC6717948 DOI: 10.5114/pjr.2019.85147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of the work was to share the practical experience of preclinical and clinical proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1HMRS) studies conducted using a 7-Tesla magnetic field strength scanner, taking into account the specificity of both settings in the context of translational research. Material and methods 1HMRS volunteer studies conducted using a Discovery 950 GE 7T scanner, were carried out with PRESS sequence, and a VOI measuring 2.0 × 2.0 × 2.0 cm3 placed in the white matter at the parietal occipital lobe. Rodent spectra obtained using a 7T Bruker were measured with PRESS, with a VOI 2.0 × 2.0 × 5.5 mm3 placed over the hippocampus. Results 1HMRS data from humans and rats show that the brain spectra obtained in the same field are characterised by a similar neurochemical structure and spectral resolution. Spectra obtained from rats demonstrate the following metabolites: NAA, Glu, Gln, Ins, Cho, Cr, PCr, Tau, GABA, Lac, NAAG, and Asp. In turn, spectra from humans allowed estimation of the following metabolites: Ala, NAA, Glu, Gln, Ins, Cho, Cr, PCr, Tau, GABA, Lac, NAAG, and Asp. Signals from Gln, Glu with chemical shift around 2.4 ppm, from Cr, PCr, and GABA at 3 ppm, and signals from Cho and Tau at approximately 3.2 ppm, can be properly separated and estimated both in humans and in rats. Conclusions These results are promising in terms of broadening the knowledge of many neurological diseases by inducing them on animal models and then transferring this knowledge to clinical practice. In spite of this, important distinctions in the technical aspects and methodological differences of high-field 1HMRS in both preclinical and clinical conditions should be taken into account.
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16
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Aghaeifar A, Mirkes C, Bause J, Steffen T, Avdievitch N, Henning A, Scheffler K. Dynamic B0shimming of the human brain at 9.4 T with a 16-channel multi-coil shim setup. Magn Reson Med 2018; 80:1714-1725. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Revised: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Aghaeifar
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics; Tuebingen Germany
- IMPRS for Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience, University of Tuebingen; Tuebingen Germany
| | | | - Jonas Bause
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics; Tuebingen Germany
- IMPRS for Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience, University of Tuebingen; Tuebingen Germany
| | - Theodor Steffen
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics; Tuebingen Germany
| | - Nikolai Avdievitch
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics; Tuebingen Germany
- Institute of Physics; Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University; Greifswald Germany
| | - Anke Henning
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics; Tuebingen Germany
- Institute of Physics; Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University; Greifswald Germany
| | - Klaus Scheffler
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics; Tuebingen Germany
- Department of Biomedical Magnetic Resonance; University of Tuebingen; Tuebingen Germany
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17
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Chang P, Nassirpour S, Henning A. Modeling real shim fields for very high degree (and order) B 0 shimming of the human brain at 9.4 T. Magn Reson Med 2017; 79:529-540. [PMID: 28321902 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.26658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Revised: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To describe the process of calibrating a B0 shim system using high-degree (or high order) spherical harmonic models of the measured shim fields, to provide a method that considers amplitude dependency of these models, and to show the advantage of very high-degree B0 shimming for whole-brain and single-slice applications at 9.4 Tesla (T). METHODS An insert shim with up to fourth and partial fifth/sixth degree (order) spherical harmonics was used with a Siemens 9.4T scanner. Each shim field was measured and modeled as input for the shimming algorithm. Optimal shim currents can therefore be calculated in a single iteration. A range of shim currents was used in the modeling to account for possible amplitude nonlinearities. The modeled shim fields were used to compare different degrees of whole-brain B0 shimming on healthy subjects. RESULTS The ideal shim fields did not correctly shim the subject brains. However, using the modeled shim fields improved the B0 homogeneity from 55.1 (second degree) to 44.68 Hz (partial fifth/sixth degree) on the whole brains of 9 healthy volunteers, with a total applied current of 0.77 and 6.8 A, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The necessity of calibrating the shim system was shown. Better B0 homogeneity drastically reduces signal dropout and distortions for echo-planar imaging, and significantly improves the linewidths of MR spectroscopy imaging. Magn Reson Med 79:529-540, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Chang
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tuebingen, Germany.,IMPRS for Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience, Eberhard-Karls University of Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Sahar Nassirpour
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tuebingen, Germany.,IMPRS for Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience, Eberhard-Karls University of Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Anke Henning
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tuebingen, Germany
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