Dataset Information

Quantitative contrast-enhanced MRI with superparamagnetic nanoparticles using ultrashort time-to-echo pulse sequences.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Conventional MRI using contrast agents is semiquantitative because it is inherently sensitive to extravoxular susceptibility artifacts, field inhomogeneity, partial voluming, perivascular effects, and motion/flow artifacts. Herein we demonstrate a quantitative contrast-enhanced MRI technique using ultrashort time-to-echo pulse sequences for measuring clinically relevant concentrations of ferumoxytol, a superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle contrast agent with high sensitivity and precision in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

The method achieves robust, reproducible results by using rapid signal acquisition at ultrashort time-to-echo (UTE) to produce positive contrast images with pure T1 weighting and little T2* decay. The spoiled gradient echo equation is used to transform UTE intensities directly into concentration using experimentally determined relaxivity constants and image acquisition parameters.

Results

A multiparametric optimization of acquisition parameters revealed an optimal zone capable of producing high-fidelity measurements. Clinically relevant intravascular concentrations of ferumoxytol were measured longitudinally in mice with high sensitivity and precision (∼7.1% error). MRI measurements were independently validated by elemental iron analysis of sequential blood draws. Automated segmentation of ferumoxytol concentration yielded high quality three-dimensional images for visualization of perfusion.

Conclusions

This ability to longitudinally quantify blood pool CA concentration is unique to quantitative UTE contrast-enhanced (QUTE-CE) MRI and makes QUTE-CE MRI competitive with nuclear imaging.

SUBMITTER: Gharagouzloo CA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6691359 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Quantitative contrast-enhanced MRI with superparamagnetic nanoparticles using ultrashort time-to-echo pulse sequences.

Gharagouzloo Codi Amir CA McMahon Patrick N PN Sridhar Srinivas S

Magnetic resonance in medicine 20140828 2

<h4>Purpose</h4>Conventional MRI using contrast agents is semiquantitative because it is inherently sensitive to extravoxular susceptibility artifacts, field inhomogeneity, partial voluming, perivascular effects, and motion/flow artifacts. Herein we demonstrate a quantitative contrast-enhanced MRI technique using ultrashort time-to-echo pulse sequences for measuring clinically relevant concentrations of ferumoxytol, a superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle contrast agent with high sensitivity ...[more]

PMID: 25168606

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Project description:ObjectivesTo compare the diagnostic value of ultrashort echo time (UTE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the lung versus the gold standard computed tomography (CT) and two T1-weighted MRI sequences in children.MethodsTwenty-three patients with proven oncologic disease (14 male, 9 female; mean age 9.0 + / - 5.4 years) received 35 low-dose CT and MRI examinations of the lung. The MRI protocol (1.5-T) included the following post-contrast sequences: two-dimensional (2D) incoherent gradient echo (GRE; acquisition with breath-hold), 3D volume interpolated GRE (breath-hold), and 3D high-resolution radial UTE sequences (performed during free-breathing). Images were evaluated by considering image quality as well as distinct diagnosis of pulmonary nodules and parenchymal areal opacities with consideration of sizes and characterisations.ResultsThe UTE technique showed significantly higher overall image quality, better sharpness, and fewer artefacts than both other sequences. On CT, 110 pulmonary nodules with a mean diameter of 4.9 + / - 2.9 mm were detected. UTE imaging resulted in a significantly higher detection rate compared to both other sequences (p < 0.01): 76.4% (84 of 110 nodules) for UTE versus 60.9% (67 of 110) for incoherent GRE and 62.7% (69 of 110) for volume interpolated GRE sequences. The detection of parenchymal areal opacities by the UTE technique was also significantly higher with a rate of 93.3% (42 of 45 opacities) versus 77.8% (35 of 45) for 2D GRE and 80.0% (36 of 45) for 3D GRE sequences (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe UTE technique for lung MRI is favourable in children with generally high diagnostic performance compared to standard T1-weighted sequences as well as CT. Key Points • Due to the possible acquisition during free-breathing of the patients, the UTE MRI sequence for the lung is favourable in children. • The UTE technique reaches higher overall image quality, better sharpness, and lower artefacts, but not higher contrast compared to standard post-contrast T1-weighted sequences. • In comparison to the gold standard chest CT, the detection rate of small pulmonary nodules small nodules ≤ 4 mm and subtle parenchymal areal opacities is higher with the UTE imaging than standard T1-weighted sequences.

Project description:PurposeTo evaluate three-dimensional (3D) ultrashort echo time (UTE) MRI regarding image quality and suitability for functional image analysis using gradient-echo sequences in breath-hold and with self-navigation.Materials and methodsIn this prospective exploratory study, 10 patients (mean age, 21 years; age range, 5-58 years; five men) and 10 healthy control participants (mean age, 25 years; age range, 10-39 years; five men) underwent 3D UTE MRI at 3.0 T. Imaging was performed with a prototypical stack-of-spirals 3D UTE sequence during single breath holds (echo time [TE], 0.05 msec) and with a self-navigated "Koosh ball" 3D UTE sequence at free breathing (TE, 0.03 msec). Image quality was rated on a four-point Likert scale. Edge sharpness was calculated. After semiautomated segmentation, fractional ventilation was calculated from MRI signal intensity (FVSI) and volume change (FVVol). The air volume fraction (AVF) was estimated from relative signal intensity (aortic blood signal intensity was used as a reference). Means were compared between techniques and participants. The Wilcoxon signed rank test and Spearman rank correlation were used for statistical analyses.ResultsImage quality ratings were equal for both techniques. However, stack-of-spirals breath-hold UTE was more susceptible to motion and aliasing artifacts. Mean FVSI was higher during breath hold than at free breathing (mean ± standard deviation in milliliters of gas per milliliters of parenchyma, 0.17 mL/mL ± 0.06 [minimum, 0.07; maximum, 0.34] vs 0.11 mL/mL ± 0.03 [minimum, 0.06; maximum, 0.17], P = .016). Mean FVSI and FVVol were in good agreement (mean difference: at breath hold, -0.008 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 0.007, -0.024]; ρ = 0.97 vs free breathing, -0.004 [95% CI: 0.007, -0.016]; ρ = 0.91). AVF correlated between both techniques (ρ = 0.94).ConclusionBreath-hold and self-navigated 3D UTE sequences yield proton density-weighted images of the lungs that are similar in quality, and both techniques are suitable for functional image analysis.Supplemental material is available for this article.© RSNA, 2020.

Project description:BackgroundImaging the lung parenchyma with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is challenging due to cardiac and respiratory motion, the low proton density and short T2* relaxation time, and therefore not well established in the clinical routine. As a further step in facilitating lung MRI for longitudinal monitoring, this study aimed to assess the reproducibility of 2D ultrashort echo time (UTE)-derived lung function parameters in healthy subjects.MethodsIn this study, a 2D UTE technique was combined with tiny golden angle (tyGA) ordering. Data were acquired either during breath-holds (BH) or continuously during free-breathing (FB) at a field strength of 3T. Retrospective self-gating (image- and k-space-based) was used to reconstruct respiratory and cardiac multistage images from the FB acquisitions. The reproducibility of functional lung parameters derived from BH and FB acquisitions was assessed for three independent examinations (M1-3). M1 and M2 were acquired within 2 h, whereas M3 was acquired at least 14 d after M1/2. Different respiratory and cardiac phases were reconstructed for three coronal slices. Quantitative analysis including proton fraction (fP ), apparent signal-to-noise ratio (apparent SNR), fractional ventilation (FV), and perfusion (f) was performed by two independent observers, and inter-measurement and inter-observer repeatability were assessed.ResultsAll scans could be performed successfully in all volunteers. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) of inter-measurement and inter-observer variability, and Bland-Altman analysis showed good to very good reproducibility. Larger breathing amplitudes were observed in the BH acquisitions, which also showed lower reproducibility when compared with the FB acquisitions. For the FB approach, the ICC ranged between 0.70 and 0.98 for all measurements, and ranged between 0.86 and 0.97 for the two observers. No bias or significant differences were observed between the three measurements or the two observers in healthy volunteers.ConclusionsThe study proves the feasibility of FB 2D tyGA UTE for lung imaging. Functional parameters derived from FB acquisitions are reproducible in healthy volunteers, allowing for further investigation of this technique in patients with various underlying diseases.

Project description:BackgroundThe deep peripheral fascia and epimysium are vital for muscle and tendon support, but their tight proton composition results in hypointense signals in conventional spin echo sequences. Ultrashort echo time (UTE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), using microsecond TE values, may visualize these structures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether UTE pulse sequence with a three-dimensional cone trajectory (3D UTE), with or without fat suppression (FS), can be used to visualize the fascia and epimysium using porcine lower legs as an example.MethodsThe anterior soft tissues of porcine lower legs were dissected and partially separated into distinct layers to expose the deep peripheral fascia, epimysium, and muscle. Axial 3D UTE and 3D UTE FS imaging using dual-echo acquisition and echo subtraction were performed both before and after dissection. Prior to dissection, the thickness, signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) of structures believed to be deep peripheral fascia and epimysium were measured in both 3D UTE and 3D UTE FS. Post-dissection images were also analyzed to measure the SNRs and CNRs for the deep peripheral fascia and epimysium. Histological evaluations were carried out to verify the identities of the deep peripheral fascia and epimysium, as well as their thickness, and these measurements were compared to imaging findings.ResultsIn pre-dissection images obtained with 3D UTE and 3D UTE FS, both the deep peripheral fascia and epimysium exhibited high signal intensity. In the subtraction images, the mean thickness of the deep fascia was 0.87 mm, and that of the epimysium was 0.80 mm when imaged with 3D UTE. This is compared to measurements of 0.77 and 0.22 mm in 3D UTE FS, respectively. Histological analyses confirmed the thickness of the deep peripheral fascia and epimysium as 0.65 and 0.14 mm, respectively. In the post-dissection images, the deep fascia continued to display high signal intensity when compared with adjacent soft tissues, consistent with the histological findings. Meanwhile, the epimysium showed very low CNRs.Conclusions3D UTE and 3D UTE FS can be used to visualize the deep peripheral fascia with high signal intensity and contrast but are insufficient to show signal intensity in the epimysium.

Project description:BackgroundA previous study demonstrated the feasibility of using 3D radial ultrashort echo time (UTE) oxygen-enhanced MRI (UTE OE-MRI) for functional imaging of healthy human lungs. The repeatability of quantitative measures from UTE OE-MRI needs to be established prior to its application in clinical research.PurposeTo evaluate repeatability of obstructive patterns in asthma and cystic fibrosis (CF) with UTE OE-MRI with isotropic spatial resolution and full chest coverage.Study typeVolunteer and patient repeatability.PopulationEighteen human subjects (five asthma, six CF, and seven normal subjects).Field strength/sequenceRespiratory-gated free-breathing 3D radial UTE (80 μs) sequence at 1.5T.AssessmentTwo 3D radial UTE volumes were acquired sequentially under normoxic and hyperoxic conditions. A subset of subjects underwent repeat acquisitions on either the same day or ≤15 days apart. Asthma and CF subjects also underwent spirometry. A workflow including deformable registration and retrospective lung density correction was used to compute 3D isotropic percent signal enhancement (PSE) maps. Median PSE (MPSE) and ventilation defect percent (VDP) of the lung were measured from the PSE map.Statistical testsThe relations between MPSE, VDP, and spirometric measures were assessed using Spearman correlations. The test-retest repeatability was evaluated using Bland-Altman analysis and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).ResultsVentilation measures in normal subjects (MPSE = 8.0%, VDP = 3.3%) were significantly different from those in asthma (MPSE = 6.0%, P = 0.042; VDP = 21.7%, P = 0.018) and CF group (MPSE = 4.5%, P = 0.0006; VDP = 27.2%, P = 0.002). MPSE correlated significantly with forced expiratory lung volume in 1 second percent predicted (ρ = 0.72, P = 0.017). The ICC of the test-retest VDP and MPSE were both ≥0.90. In all subject groups, an anterior/posterior gradient was observed with higher MPSE and lower VDP in the posterior compared to anterior regions (P ≤ 0.0021 for all comparisons).Data conclusion3D radial UTE OE-MRI supports quantitative differentiation of diseased vs. healthy lungs using either whole lung VDP or MPSE with excellent test-retest repeatability.Level of evidence2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1287-1297.

Dataset Information

Quantitative contrast-enhanced MRI with superparamagnetic nanoparticles using ultrashort time-to-echo pulse sequences.

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Quantitative contrast-enhanced MRI with superparamagnetic nanoparticles using ultrashort time-to-echo pulse sequences.

Similar Datasets

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