1
|
Zhang X, Zhou B, Chen Y, Cai Z, Guo Y, Wei Z, Li S, Feng Y, Sedaghat S, Jang H. Evaluation of gadolinium deposition in cortical bone using three-dimensional ultrashort echo time quantitative susceptibility mapping: A preliminary study. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2024; 37:e5035. [PMID: 37721094 PMCID: PMC10726698 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.5035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the current study was to investigate the feasibility of three-dimensional ultrashort echo time quantitative susceptibility mapping (3D UTE-QSM) for the assessment of gadolinium (Gd) deposition in cortical bone. To this end, 40 tibial bovine cortical bone specimens were divided into five groups then soaked in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solutions with five different Gd concentrations of 0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 mmol/L for 48 h. Additionally, eight rabbits were randomly allocated into three groups, consisting of a normal-dose macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) group (n = 3), a high-dose macrocyclic GBCA group (n = 3), and a control group (n = 2). All bovine and rabbit tibial bone samples underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on a 3-T clinical MR system. A 3D UTE-Cones sequence was utilized to acquire images with five different echo times (i.e., 0.032, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 ms). The UTE images were subsequently processed with the morphology-enabled dipole inversion algorithm to yield a susceptibility map. The average susceptibility was calculated in three regions of interest in the middle of each specimen, and the Pearson's correlation between the estimated susceptibility and Gd concentration was calculated. The bone samples soaked in PBS with higher Gd concentrations exhibited elevated susceptibility values. A mean susceptibility value of -2.47 ± 0.23 ppm was observed for bovine bone soaked in regular PBS, while the mean QSM value increased to -1.75 ± 0.24 ppm for bone soaked in PBS with the highest Gd concentration of 1.6 mmol/L. A strong positive correlation was observed between Gd concentrations and QSM values. The mean susceptibility values of rabbit tibial specimens in the control group, normal-dose GBCA group, and high-dose GBCA group were -4.11 ± 1.52, -3.85 ± 1.33, and -3.39 ± 1.35 ppm, respectively. In conclusion, a significant linear correlation between Gd in cortical bone and QSM values was observed. The preliminary results suggest that 3D UTE-QSM may provide sensitive noninvasive assessment of Gd deposition in cortical bone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Beibei Zhou
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanjun Chen
- Department of Radiology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Zhenyu Cai
- University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Yihao Guo
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Image Processing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhao Wei
- University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Shisi Li
- Department of Radiology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanqiu Feng
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Image Processing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sam Sedaghat
- University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Hyungseok Jang
- University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cheng J, Song M, Xu Z, Zheng Q, Zhu L, Chen W, Feng Y, Bao J, Cheng J. A new 3D phase unwrapping method by region partitioning and local polynomial modeling in abdominal quantitative susceptibility mapping. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1287788. [PMID: 38033538 PMCID: PMC10684715 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1287788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Accurate phase unwrapping is a critical prerequisite for successful applications in phase-related MRI, including quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) and susceptibility weighted imaging. However, many existing 3D phase unwrapping algorithms face challenges in the presence of severe noise, rapidly changing phase, and open-end cutline. Methods In this study, we introduce a novel 3D phase unwrapping approach utilizing region partitioning and a local polynomial model. Initially, the method leverages phase partitioning to create initial regions. Noisy voxels connecting areas within these regions are excluded and grouped into residual voxels. The connected regions within the region of interest are then reidentified and categorized into blocks and residual voxels based on voxel count thresholds. Subsequently, the method sequentially performs inter-block and residual voxel phase unwrapping using the local polynomial model. The proposed method was evaluated on simulation and in vivo abdominal QSM data, and was compared with the classical Region-growing, Laplacian_based, Graph-cut, and PRELUDE methods. Results Simulation experiments, conducted under different signal-to-noise ratios and phase change levels, consistently demonstrate that the proposed method achieves accurate unwrapping results, with mean error ratios not exceeding 0.01%. In contrast, the error ratios of Region-growing (N/A, 84.47%), Laplacian_based (20.65%, N/A), Graph-cut (2.26%, 20.71%), and PRELUDE (4.28%, 10.33%) methods are all substantially higher than those of the proposed method. In vivo abdominal QSM experiments further confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method in unwrapping phase data and successfully reconstructing susceptibility maps, even in scenarios with significant noise, rapidly changing phase, and open-end cutline in a large field of view. Conclusion The proposed method demonstrates robust and accurate phase unwrapping capabilities, positioning it as a promising option for abdominal QSM applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junying Cheng
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Manli Song
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhongbiao Xu
- Department of Radiotherapy, Cancer Center, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qian Zheng
- College of Software Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Li Zhu
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wufan Chen
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Image Processing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanqiu Feng
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Image Processing, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianfeng Bao
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jingliang Cheng
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Athertya JS, Akers J, Sedaghat S, Wei Z, Moazamian D, Dwek S, Thu M, Jang H. Detection of iron oxide nanoparticle (IONP)-labeled stem cells using quantitative ultrashort echo time imaging: a feasibility study. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2023; 13:585-597. [PMID: 36819276 PMCID: PMC9929408 DOI: 10.21037/qims-22-654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Background In this study, we investigated the feasibility of quantitative ultrashort echo time (qUTE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques in the detection and quantification of iron oxide nanoparticle (IONP)-labeled stem cells. Methods A stem cell phantom containing multiple layers of unlabeled or labeled stem cells with different densities was prepared. The phantom was imaged with quantitative UTE (qUTE) MR techniques [i.e., UTE-T1 mapping, UTE-T2* mapping, and UTE-based quantitative susceptibility mapping (UTE-QSM)] as well as with a clinical T2 mapping sequence on a 3T clinical MR system. For T1 mapping, a variable flip angle (VFA) method based on actual flip angle imaging (AFI) technique was utilized. For T2* mapping and UTE-QSM, multiple images with variable, interleaved echo times including UTE images and gradient recalled echo (GRE) images were used. For UTE-QSM, the phase information from the multi-echo images was utilized and processed using a QSM framework based on the morphology-enabled dipole inversion (MEDI) algorithm. The qUTE techniques were also evaluated in an ex vivo experiment with a mouse injected with IONP-labeled stem cells. Results In the phantom experiment, the parameters estimated with qUTE techniques showed high linearity with respect to the density of IONP-labeled stem cells (R2>0.99), while the clinical T2 parameter showed impaired linearity (R2=0.87). In the ex vivo mouse experiment, UTE-T2* mapping and UTE-QSM showed feasibility in the detection of injected stem cells with high contrast, whereas UTE-T1 and UTE-T2* showed limited detection. Overall, UTE-QSM demonstrated the best contrast of all, with other methods being subjected more to a confounding factor due to different magnetic susceptibilities of various types of neighboring tissues, which creates inhomogeneous contrast that behaves similar to IONP. Conclusions In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of a series of qUTE imaging techniques as well as conventional T2 mapping for the detection of IONP-labeled stem cells in vitro and ex vivo. UTE-QSM performed superior amongst other qUTE techniques as well as conventional T2 mapping in detecting stem cells with high contrast.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiyo S. Athertya
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Sam Sedaghat
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Zhao Wei
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Dina Moazamian
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Sophia Dwek
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Mya Thu
- VisiCELL Medical Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Hyungseok Jang
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ma Y, Jang H, Jerban S, Chang EY, Chung CB, Bydder GM, Du J. Making the invisible visible-ultrashort echo time magnetic resonance imaging: Technical developments and applications. APPLIED PHYSICS REVIEWS 2022; 9:041303. [PMID: 36467869 PMCID: PMC9677812 DOI: 10.1063/5.0086459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a large magnetic field and radio waves to generate images of tissues in the body. Conventional MRI techniques have been developed to image and quantify tissues and fluids with long transverse relaxation times (T2s), such as muscle, cartilage, liver, white matter, gray matter, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid. However, the body also contains many tissues and tissue components such as the osteochondral junction, menisci, ligaments, tendons, bone, lung parenchyma, and myelin, which have short or ultrashort T2s. After radio frequency excitation, their transverse magnetizations typically decay to zero or near zero before the receiving mode is enabled for spatial encoding with conventional MR imaging. As a result, these tissues appear dark, and their MR properties are inaccessible. However, when ultrashort echo times (UTEs) are used, signals can be detected from these tissues before they decay to zero. This review summarizes recent technical developments in UTE MRI of tissues with short and ultrashort T2 relaxation times. A series of UTE MRI techniques for high-resolution morphological and quantitative imaging of these short-T2 tissues are discussed. Applications of UTE imaging in the musculoskeletal, nervous, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular systems of the body are included.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Ma
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California 92037, USA
| | - Hyungseok Jang
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California 92037, USA
| | - Saeed Jerban
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California 92037, USA
| | | | | | - Graeme M Bydder
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California 92037, USA
| | - Jiang Du
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed:. Tel.: (858) 246-2248, Fax: (858) 246-2221
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Afsahi AM, Ma Y, Jang H, Jerban S, Chung CB, Chang EY, Du J. Ultrashort Echo Time Magnetic Resonance Imaging Techniques: Met and Unmet Needs in Musculoskeletal Imaging. J Magn Reson Imaging 2021; 55:1597-1612. [PMID: 34962335 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.28032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This review article summarizes recent technical developments in ultrashort echo time (UTE) magnetic resonance imaging of musculoskeletal (MSK) tissues with short-T2 relaxation times. A series of contrast mechanisms are discussed for high-contrast morphological imaging of short-T2 MSK tissues including the osteochondral junction, menisci, ligaments, tendons, and bone. Quantitative UTE mapping of T1, T2*, T1ρ, adiabatic T1ρ, magnetization transfer ratio, MT modeling of macromolecular proton fraction, quantitative susceptibility mapping, and water content is also introduced. Met and unmet needs in MSK imaging are discussed. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amir Masoud Afsahi
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Yajun Ma
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Hyungseok Jang
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Saeed Jerban
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Christine B Chung
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California, USA.,Research Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Eric Y Chang
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California, USA.,Research Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Jiang Du
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California, USA.,Research Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Jang H, Ma YJ, Chang EY, Fazeli S, Lee RR, Lombardi AF, Bydder GM, Corey-Bloom J, Du J. Inversion Recovery Ultrashort TE MR Imaging of Myelin is Significantly Correlated with Disability in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2021; 42:868-874. [PMID: 33602747 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a7006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE MR imaging has been widely used for the noninvasive evaluation of MS. Although clinical MR imaging sequences are highly effective in showing focal macroscopic tissue abnormalities in the brains of patients with MS, they are not specific to myelin and correlate poorly with disability. We investigated direct imaging of myelin using a 2D adiabatic inversion recovery ultrashort TE sequence to determine its value in assessing disability in MS. MATERIALS AND METHODS The 2D inversion recovery ultrashort TE sequence was evaluated in 14 healthy volunteers and 31 patients with MS. MPRAGE and T2-FLAIR images were acquired for comparison. Advanced Normalization Tools were used to correlate inversion recovery ultrashort TE, MPRAGE, and T2-FLAIR images with disability assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale. RESULTS Weak correlations were observed between normal-appearing white matter volume (R = -0.03, P = .88), lesion load (R = 0.22, P = .24), and age (R = 0.14, P = .44), and disability. The MPRAGE signal in normal-appearing white matter showed a weak correlation with age (R = -0.10, P = .49) and disability (R = -0.19, P = .31). The T2-FLAIR signal in normal-appearing white matter showed a weak correlation with age (R = 0.01, P = .93) and disability (R = 0.13, P = .49). The inversion recovery ultrashort TE signal was significantly negatively correlated with age (R = -0.38, P = .009) and disability (R = -0.44; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS Direct imaging of myelin correlates with disability in patients with MS better than indirect imaging of long-T2 water in WM using conventional clinical sequences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- H Jang
- From the Department of Radiology (H.J., Y.-J.M., E.Y.C., S.F., R.R.L., A.F.L., G.M.B., J.D.), University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Y-J Ma
- From the Department of Radiology (H.J., Y.-J.M., E.Y.C., S.F., R.R.L., A.F.L., G.M.B., J.D.), University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - E Y Chang
- From the Department of Radiology (H.J., Y.-J.M., E.Y.C., S.F., R.R.L., A.F.L., G.M.B., J.D.), University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
- Radiology Service (E.Y.C., R.R.L.), VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California
| | - S Fazeli
- From the Department of Radiology (H.J., Y.-J.M., E.Y.C., S.F., R.R.L., A.F.L., G.M.B., J.D.), University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - R R Lee
- From the Department of Radiology (H.J., Y.-J.M., E.Y.C., S.F., R.R.L., A.F.L., G.M.B., J.D.), University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
- Radiology Service (E.Y.C., R.R.L.), VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California
| | - A F Lombardi
- From the Department of Radiology (H.J., Y.-J.M., E.Y.C., S.F., R.R.L., A.F.L., G.M.B., J.D.), University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - G M Bydder
- From the Department of Radiology (H.J., Y.-J.M., E.Y.C., S.F., R.R.L., A.F.L., G.M.B., J.D.), University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - J Corey-Bloom
- Department of Neurosciences (J.C.-B.), University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - J Du
- From the Department of Radiology (H.J., Y.-J.M., E.Y.C., S.F., R.R.L., A.F.L., G.M.B., J.D.), University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jang H, McMillan AB, Ma Y, Jerban S, Chang EY, Du J, Kijowski R. Rapid single scan ramped hybrid-encoding for bicomponent T2* mapping in a human knee joint: A feasibility study. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2020; 33:e4391. [PMID: 32761692 PMCID: PMC7584401 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of using a single scan ramped hybrid-encoding (RHE) method for rapid bicomponent T2* analysis of the human knee joint. The proposed method utilizes RHE to acquire ultrashort echo time (UTE) and subsequent gradient echo images at 16 different echo times ranging between 40 μs and 30 ms in a single scan. In the proposed RHE technique, UTE imaging was followed by acquisition of 14 gradient recalled echo images, where an additional UTE image was obtained within the first readout by oversampling single point imaging (SPI) encoding. The single scan RHE method with a 9-minute scan time was performed on human cadaveric knee joints from six donors and in vivo knee joints from four healthy volunteers at 3 T. A bicomponent signal model was used to characterize the short T2* and long T2* water components. Mean bicomponent T2* parameters for patellar tendon, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and meniscus were calculated. In the experimental results, the RHE technique provided bicomponent T2* parameter estimations of tendon, ACL, PCL and meniscus, which were similar to previously reported values in the literature. In conclusion, the proposed single scan RHE technique provides rapid bicomponent T2* analysis of the human knee joint with a total scan time of less than 9 minutes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyungseok Jang
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
- Corresponding Author: Hyungseok Jang, Ph.D., University of California, San Diego, Department of Radiology, 200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92103-8226, Phone (858) 246-2225,
| | - Alan B McMillan
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Yajun Ma
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
| | - Saeed Jerban
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
| | - Eric Y Chang
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
- Radiology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jiang Du
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
| | - Richard Kijowski
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jerban S, Ma Y, Wei Z, Jang H, Chang EY, Du J. Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cortical and Trabecular Bone. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2020; 24:386-401. [PMID: 32992367 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1710355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Bone is a composite material consisting of mineral, organic matrix, and water. Water in bone can be categorized as bound water (BW), which is bound to bone mineral and organic matrix, or as pore water (PW), which resides in Haversian canals as well as in lacunae and canaliculi. Bone is generally classified into two types: cortical bone and trabecular bone. Cortical bone is much denser than trabecular bone that is surrounded by marrow and fat. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been increasingly used for noninvasive assessment of both cortical bone and trabecular bone. Bone typically appears as a signal void with conventional MR sequences because of its short T2*. Ultrashort echo time (UTE) sequences with echo times 100 to 1,000 times shorter than those of conventional sequences allow direct imaging of BW and PW in bone. This article summarizes several quantitative MR techniques recently developed for bone evaluation. Specifically, we discuss the use of UTE and adiabatic inversion recovery prepared UTE sequences to quantify BW and PW, UTE magnetization transfer sequences to quantify collagen backbone protons, UTE quantitative susceptibility mapping sequences to assess bone mineral, and conventional sequences for high-resolution imaging of PW as well as the evaluation of trabecular bone architecture.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Jerban
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Yajun Ma
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Zhao Wei
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Hyungseok Jang
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California
| | - Eric Y Chang
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California.,Research Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California
| | - Jiang Du
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, California
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Jang H, von Drygalski A, Wong J, Zhou JY, Aguero P, Lu X, Cheng X, Ball ST, Ma Y, Chang EY, Du J. Ultrashort echo time quantitative susceptibility mapping (UTE-QSM) for detection of hemosiderin deposition in hemophilic arthropathy: A feasibility study. Magn Reson Med 2020; 84:3246-3255. [PMID: 32662904 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of ultrashort echo time quantitative susceptibility mapping (UTE-QSM) for assessment of hemosiderin deposition in the joints of hemophilic patients. METHODS The UTE-QSM technique was based on three sets of dual-echo 3D UTE Cones data acquired with TEs of 0.032/2.8, 0.2/3.6, and 0.4/4.4 ms. The images were processed with iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation to estimate the B0 field map in the presence of fat. Then, the projection onto dipole field (PDF) algorithm was applied to acquire a local field map generated by tissues, followed by application of the morphology-enabled dipole inversion (MEDI) algorithm to estimate a final susceptibility map. Three healthy volunteers and three hemophilic patients were recruited to evaluate the UTE-QSM technique's ability to assess hemosiderin in the knee or ankle joint at 3T. One patient subsequently underwent total knee arthroplasty after the MR scan. The synovial tissues harvested from the knee joint during surgery were processed for histological analysis to confirm iron deposition. RESULTS UTE-QSM successfully yielded tissue susceptibility maps of joints in both volunteers and patients. Multiple regions with high susceptibility over 1 ppm were detected in the affected joints of hemophilic patients, while no localized regions with high susceptibility were detected in asymptomatic healthy volunteers. Histology confirmed the presence of iron in regions where high susceptibility was detected by UTE-QSM. CONCLUSION The UTE-QSM technique can detect hemosiderin deposition in the joint, and provides a potential sensitive biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of hemophilic arthropathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyungseok Jang
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Annette von Drygalski
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Jonathan Wong
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Jenny Y Zhou
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Peter Aguero
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Xing Lu
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Xin Cheng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Scott T Ball
- Orthopedic Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Yajun Ma
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Eric Y Chang
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Radiology Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Jiang Du
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Mastrogiacomo S, Dou W, Jansen JA, Walboomers XF. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Hard Tissues and Hard Tissue Engineered Bio-substitutes. Mol Imaging Biol 2020; 21:1003-1019. [PMID: 30989438 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-019-01345-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive diagnostic imaging tool based on the detection of protons into the tissues. This imaging technique is remarkable because of high spatial resolution, strong soft tissue contrast and specificity, and good depth penetration. However, MR imaging of hard tissues, such as bone and teeth, remains challenging due to low proton content in such tissues as well as to very short transverse relaxation times (T2). To overcome these issues, new MRI techniques, such as sweep imaging with Fourier transformation (SWIFT), ultrashort echo time (UTE) imaging, and zero echo time (ZTE) imaging, have been developed for hard tissues imaging with promising results reported. Within this article, MRI techniques developed for the detection of hard tissues, such as bone and dental tissues, have been reviewed. The main goal was thus to give a comprehensive overview on the corresponding (pre-) clinical applications and on the potential future directions with such techniques applied. In addition, a section dedicated to MR imaging of novel biomaterials developed for hard tissue applications was given as well.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simone Mastrogiacomo
- Department of Biomaterials, Radboud University Medical Center, Philips van Leijdenlaan 25, 6525 EX, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Imaging, NINDS, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, 5S261, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Weiqiang Dou
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- GE Healthcare, MR Research, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - John A Jansen
- Department of Biomaterials, Radboud University Medical Center, Philips van Leijdenlaan 25, 6525 EX, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - X Frank Walboomers
- Department of Biomaterials, Radboud University Medical Center, Philips van Leijdenlaan 25, 6525 EX, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Jang H, Carl M, Ma Y, Searleman AC, Jerban S, Chang EY, Corey-Bloom J, Du J. Inversion recovery zero echo time (IR-ZTE) imaging for direct myelin detection in human brain: a feasibility study. Quant Imaging Med Surg 2020; 10:895-906. [PMID: 32489915 DOI: 10.21037/qims.2020.04.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Myelin alteration is closely associated with neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Unfortunately, due to myelin's extremely short T2* (~0.3 ms or shorter at 3T), it cannot be directly imaged with conventional MR imaging techniques. Recently, ultrashort echo time (UTE) imaging-based methods have been proposed for direct imaging of myelin. In this study, we explore the feasibility and efficacy of inversion recovery prepared zero echo time (IR-ZTE) imaging for direct volumetric imaging of myelin in white matter of the brain in vivo. Methods In the proposed method, an adiabatic IR preparation pulse is used to suppress long T2 white matter signal, followed by dual echo ZTE imaging where the remaining long T2 components, including gray matter, are suppressed by dual echo subtraction. In the implementation of ZTE, the sampling strategy introduced in Water- and Fat-Suppressed Proton Projection MRI (WASPI) was incorporated to acquire the k-space data missing due to the radiofrequency (RF) transmit/receiver switching time. The IR-ZTE sequence was implemented on a 3T clinical MR system and evaluated using a myelin phantom composed of six different myelin concentrations (0% to 20%), a cadaveric human brain, four healthy volunteers, and seven MS patients. Results In the myelin phantom experiment, the ZTE signal intensity showed high linearity to the myelin concentrations (R2=0.98). In the ex vivo and in vivo experiments, the IR-ZTE sequence provided high contrast volumetric imaging of myelin in human brains. The IR-ZTE sequence was able to detect demyelinated foci lesions in all MS patients. Conclusions Adiabatic IR prepared dual echo ZTE imaging allows for direct, volumetric imaging of myelin in white matter of the brain in vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyungseok Jang
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | - Yajun Ma
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Adam C Searleman
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Saeed Jerban
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Eric Y Chang
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.,Radiology Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jody Corey-Bloom
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jiang Du
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Pelzer EA, Florin E, Schnitzler A. Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping and Resting State Network Analyses in Parkinsonian Phenotypes-A Systematic Review of the Literature. Front Neural Circuits 2019; 13:50. [PMID: 31447651 PMCID: PMC6691025 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2019.00050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An imbalance of iron metabolism with consecutive aggregation of α-synuclein and axonal degeneration of neurons has been postulated as the main pathological feature in the development of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is a new imaging technique, which enables to measure structural changes caused by defective iron deposition in parkinsonian brains. Due to its novelty, its potential as a new imaging technique remains elusive for disease-specific characterization of motor and non-motor symptoms (characterizing the individual parkinsonian phenotype). Functional network changes associated with these symptoms are however frequently described for both magnetoencephalography (MEG) and resting state functional magnetic imaging (rs-fMRI). Here, we performed a systematic review of the current literature about QSM imaging, MEG and rs-fMRI in order to collect existing data about structural and functional changes caused by motor and non-motor symptoms in PD. Whereas all three techniques provide an effect in the motor domain, the understanding of network changes caused by non-motor symptoms is much more lacking for MEG and rs-fMRI, and does not yet really exist for QSM imaging. In order to better understand the influence of pathological iron distribution onto the functional outcome, whole-brain QSM analyses should be integrated in functional analyses (especially for the non-motor domain), to enable a proper pathophysiological interpretation of MEG and rs-fMRI network changes in PD. Herewith, a better understanding of the relationship between neuropathological changes, functional network changes and clinical phenotype might become possible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Esther A Pelzer
- Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Max-Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany
| | - Esther Florin
- Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alfons Schnitzler
- Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Jerban S, Ma Y, Dorthe EW, Kakos L, Le N, Alenezi S, Sah RL, Chang EY, D'Lima D, Du J. Assessing cortical bone mechanical properties using collagen proton fraction from ultrashort echo time magnetization transfer (UTE-MT) MRI modeling. Bone Rep 2019; 11:100220. [PMID: 31440531 PMCID: PMC6700521 DOI: 10.1016/j.bonr.2019.100220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortical bone shows as a signal void when using conventional clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Ultrashort echo time MRI (UTE-MRI) can acquire high signal from cortical bone, thus enabling quantitative assessments. Magnetization transfer (MT) imaging combined with UTE-MRI can indirectly assess protons in the organic matrix of bone. This study aimed to examine UTE-MT MRI techniques to estimate the mechanical properties of cortical bone. A total of 156 rectangular human cortical bone strips were harvested from the tibial and femoral midshafts of 43 donors (62 ± 22 years old, 62 specimens from females, 94 specimens from males). Bone specimens were scanned using UTE-MT sequences on a clinical 3 T MRI scanner and on a micro-computed tomography (μCT) scanner. A series of MT pulse saturation powers (400°, 600°, 800°) and frequency offsets (2, 5, 10, 20, 50 kHz) was used to measure the macromolecular fraction (MMF) utilizing a two-pool MT model. Failure mechanical properties of the bone specimens were measured using 4-point bending tests. MMF from MRI results showed significant strong correlations with cortical bone porosity (R = -0.72, P < 0.01) and bone mineral density (BMD) (R = +0.71, P < 0.01). MMF demonstrated significant moderate correlations with Young modulus, yield stress, and ultimate stress (R = 0.60-0.61, P < 0.01). These results suggest that the two-pool UTE-MT model focusing on the organic matrix of bone can potentially serve as a novel tool to detect the variations of bone mechanical properties and intracortical porosity.
Collapse
Key Words
- 3D, three-dimensional
- 3D-UTE, three-dimensional ultrashort echo time imaging
- BMD, bone mineral density
- Bone microstructure
- CT, computed tomography
- Cortical bone
- DEXA, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
- FA, flip angle
- FOV, field of view
- MMF, macromolecular proton fraction
- MR, magnetic resonance
- MRI
- MRI, magnetic resonance imaging
- MT, magnetization transfer
- Magnetization transfer
- Mechanical properties
- PBS, phosphate-buffered saline
- RF, radio frequency
- ROI, region of interest
- T2MM, macromolecular T2
- TE, echo time
- TR, repetition time
- Ultrashort echo time
- μCT, micro-computed tomography
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Jerban
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Yajun Ma
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Erik W Dorthe
- Shiley Center for Orthopedic Research and Education at Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Lena Kakos
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Nicole Le
- Radiology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA
| | - Salem Alenezi
- Research and Laboratories Sector, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Riyadh 3292, Saudi Arabia
| | - Robert L Sah
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA.,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Eric Y Chang
- Radiology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA.,Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Darryl D'Lima
- Shiley Center for Orthopedic Research and Education at Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jiang Du
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Significant correlations between human cortical bone mineral density and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) obtained with 3D Cones ultrashort echo time magnetic resonance imaging (UTE-MRI). Magn Reson Imaging 2019; 62:104-110. [PMID: 31247253 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2019.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) MRI is a tool that can characterize changes in susceptibility, an intrinsic property which is associated with compositional changes in the tissue. Current QSM estimation of cortical bone is challenging because conventional clinical MRI cannot acquire signal in cortical bone. This study aimed to implement Cones 3D ultrashort echo time MRI (UTE-MRI) for ex vivo QSM measurements in human tibial cortical bone, investigating the correlations of QSM with volumetric intracortical bone mineral density (BMD). MATERIALS AND METHODS Nine tibial midshaft cortical bone specimens (25 mm long specimens cut at the mid-point of tibial shaft, 67 ± 20 years old, 5 women and 4 men) were scanned on a clinical 3 T MRI scanner for QSM measurement. The specimens were also scanned on a high-resolution micro-computed tomography (μCT) scanner for volumetric BMD estimation. QSM and μCT results were compared at approximately nine regions of interest (ROIs) per specimen. RESULTS Average 3D UTE-MRI QSM showed significantly strong correlation with volumetric BMD (R = -0.82, P < 0.01) and bone porosity (R = 0.72, P < 0.01). Combining all data points together (77 ROIs), QSM showed significant moderate to strong correlation with volumetric BMD after correction for interdependencies in specimens (R = -0.70, P < 0.01). The corrections were required because the data points were not independent in each specimen. Similarly, the correlation between QSM and porosity was significant (R = 0.68, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the Cones 3D UTE-MRI QSM technique can potentially serve as a novel and accurate tool to assess intracortical bone mineral density whilst avoiding ionizing radiation.
Collapse
|
15
|
von Drygalski A, Barnes RFW, Jang H, Ma Y, Wong JH, Berman Z, Du J, Chang EY. Advanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage components in haemophilic joints reveals that cartilage hemosiderin correlates with joint deterioration. Haemophilia 2019; 25:851-858. [PMID: 31199035 DOI: 10.1111/hae.13802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Evidence suggests that toxic iron is involved in haemophilic joint destruction. AIM To determine whether joint iron deposition is linked to clinical and imaging outcomes in order to optimize management of haemophilic joint disease. METHODS Adults with haemophilia A or haemophilia B (n = 23, ≥ age 21) of all severities were recruited prospectively to undergo assessment with Hemophilia Joint Health Scores (HJHS), pain scores (visual analogue scale [VAS]) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3T using conventional MRI protocols and 4-echo 3D-UTE-Cones sequences for one affected arthropathic joint. MRI was scored blinded by two musculoskeletal radiologists using the International Prophylaxis Study Group (IPSG) MRI scale. Additionally, UTE-T2* values of cartilage were quantified. Correlations between parameters were performed using Spearman rank correlation. Two patients subsequently underwent knee arthroplasty, which permitted linking of histological findings (including Perl's reaction) with MRI results. RESULTS MRI scores did not correlate with pain scores or HJHS. Sixteen joints had sufficient cartilage for UTE-T2* analysis. T2* values for cartilage correlated inversely with HJHS (rs = -0.81, P < 0.001) and MRI scores (rs = -0.52, P = 0.037). This was unexpected since UTE-T2* values decrease with better joint status in patients with osteoarthritis, suggesting that iron was present and responsible for the effects. Histological analysis of cartilage confirmed iron deposition within chondrocytes, associated with low UTE-T2* values. CONCLUSIONS Iron accumulation can occur in cartilage (not only in synovium) and shows a clear association with joint health. Cartilage iron is a novel biomarker which, if quantifiable with innovative joint-specific MRI T2* sequences, may guide treatment optimization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annette von Drygalski
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California.,Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Richard F W Barnes
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Hyungseok Jang
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Yajun Ma
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Jonathan H Wong
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Zachary Berman
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Jiang Du
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Eric Y Chang
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California.,Radiology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Lu X, Jang H, Ma Y, Jerban S, Chang EY, Du J. Ultrashort Echo Time Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (UTE-QSM) of Highly Concentrated Magnetic Nanoparticles: A Comparison Study about Different Sampling Strategies. Molecules 2019; 24:E1143. [PMID: 30909448 PMCID: PMC6471558 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24061143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to accurately and non-invasively quantify highly concentrated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) is desirable for many emerging applications. Ultrashort echo time quantitative susceptibility mapping (UTE-QSM) has demonstrated the capability to detect high iron concentrations. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of different sampling trajectories on the accuracy of quantification based on MNPs acquired through UTE-QSM. A phantom with six different MNP concentrations was prepared for UTE-QSM study with different UTE sampling trajectories, including radial acquisition, continuous single point imaging (CSPI), and Cones with four different gradient stretching factors of 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, and 1.6. No significant differences were found in QSM values derived from the different UTE sampling strategies, suggesting that the UTE-QSM technique could be accelerated with extended Cones sampling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xing Lu
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103, USA.
- Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100190, China.
| | - Hyungseok Jang
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103, USA.
| | - Yajun Ma
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103, USA.
| | - Saeed Jerban
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103, USA.
| | - Eric Y Chang
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103, USA.
- Radiology Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Jiang Du
- Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103, USA.
| |
Collapse
|