Liquid crystal phantom for validation of microscopic diffusion anisotropy measurements on clinical MRI systems.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To develop a phantom for validating MRI pulse sequences and data processing methods to quantify microscopic diffusion anisotropy in the human brain.

Methods

Using a liquid crystal consisting of water, detergent, and hydrocarbon, we designed a 0.5-L spherical phantom showing the theoretically highest possible degree of microscopic anisotropy. Data were acquired on the Connectome scanner using echo-planar imaging signal readout and diffusion encoding with axisymmetric b-tensors of varying magnitude, anisotropy, and orientation. The mean diffusivity, fractional anisotropy (FA), and microscopic FA (µFA) parameters were estimated.

Results

The phantom was observed to have values of mean diffusivity similar to brain tissue, and relaxation times compatible with echo-p

SUBMITTER: Nilsson M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5756689 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature