bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early Experience of Functional Fetal Lung Imaging using Low Field MRI
Authors: Payette Kelly , Zampieri Carla Avena , Verdera Jordina Aviles , Story Lisa , Tomi-Tricot Raphael , Hajnal Joseph , Rutherford Mary , Hutter Jana
Published: August 2024

Low field MRI for fetal imaging has the potential to be a powerful tool for prenatal diagnosis, with a favourable combination of scope for a larger bore (adding comfort and reducing claustrophobia), and lower SAR, susceptibility effects and receiver coil properties. We performed functional scans of the fetal lung to demonstrate the high image quality that can be acquired. The quantitative values of the fetal lungs (IVIM parameters, T1, T2*) calculated from the low field images match the expected values from higher field strengths reported in the literature.
The noise suppression of resting fMRI data based on eigenvector correction
Authors: Zhao Wei , Li Huanjie , Zhang Yunge , Zhou Dongyue , Cong Fengyu
Published: August 2024

The fMRI signal has been very noisy for artifacts induced various reasons, and yet the head motion and non-neuronal contributions are always the most tickle one. And too severe of motion corruption usually will lead to abandonment of the participant’s data. In this study, proposed method manages to effectively control these noises meanwhile without losing valuable signals. Proposed method exceeds standard pipeline in both quantitative and qualitative metrics.
Linear SAMER: linear motion optimization for scout accelerated retrospective motion estimation and reduction with linear+ reordering in MPRAGE
Authors: Huang Yantu , Splitthoff Daniel Nicolas , Clifford Bryan , Polak Daniel , Cauley Stephen , Lo Wei-Ching , Xiao Nan , Tan Huixin
Published: August 2024

SAMER uses a fast reference scan (“scout”) and short additional guidance lines in each shot of an MPRAGE sequence (“linear+ reordering”) to calculate motion parameters. Optimization of rigid body motion parameters are typically nonlinear. In this work we exploit local linearity with SAMER to improve the performance. During motion estimation, the initial guess of motion parameters for a given shot is taken from the previous most similar shot. Similarity is determined by correlations of the linear+ guidance lines. Retrospective reconstructions of volunteer data show the proposed method has very good computation performance and can handle large motion well.
Fast Prospective Motion Correction using Directional Couplers as Motion Sensors
Authors: van Schoor Jason , Gosselink Mark , Klomp Dennis , Mens Giel , Hoogduin Hans , Prins Wim , van der Velden Tijl
Published: August 2024

Motion is a prevalent issue in MRI. Here, we present a fast prospective motion correction (PMC) algorithm using directional couplers as head-motion sensors. The mean reflectances (per volume) of an 8 channel pTx head coil are modelled to head-position recorded by the systems built-in PMC during a calibration scan. Thereafter, the model is used for motion correction at a per RF pulse temporal resolution. Results indicate partial motion correction with error in correcting fast motions due to the necessary presence of filters to remove unidentified low-frequency noise. Mitigating low-frequency noise contributions would allow for less filtering thereby improving dynamic performance.
Dual-echo 3D Spiral Navigators for the Detection of Temporal Motions and B0 Shifts in Gradient-echo Imaging at 3.0 T
Authors: Meng Yuguang , Lah James , Allen Jason , Qiu Deqiang
Published: August 2024

In gradient-echo imaging, the motion effects on the reconstructed images could be exacerbated by the temporal B0 field changes due to respiration and the subjects’ unintentional position/posture changes during scanning. An efficient 3D spiral navigator independent of the multi-echo gradient-echo (mGRE) acquisition train was designed and implemented in a 3D mGRE sequence. The results showed that although there were unintentional movements during acquisitions, the temporal B0 changes could be significant at 3.0 T. The design provides flexible TE options for mGRE in obtaining simultaneous T1-weighted and T2*-weighted contrasts, quantitative T2* and/or quantitative susceptibility mapping.
Multicompartmental restriction spectrum imaging model for characterizing liver fibrosis in a mouse model
Authors: Cai Yeyu , Liu Jiayi , Zhou Ziyi , Chai Tian , Zheng Liyun , Dai Yongming
Published: August 2024

Liver fibrosis is a serious medical issue and noninvasive technique, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is required to identify and quantify liver fibrosis. Recently, several advanced diffusion MRI signal models that employ additional parameters to describe diffusion signals from complex microstructural compartments have been developed. The purpose of this study was to apply the multicompartmental restriction spectrum imaging (RSI) model to evaluate carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in mice. The optimal model to characterize liver fibrosis was the 4-compartment RSI model. Compared to control groups, mice with liver fibrosis exhibited significantly lower ADC and C3, but higher C1.
Repeatability and reliability of liver quantitative maps in differentiation of hepatic fibrosis stage
Authors: Liu Tianzhu , Huang Lesheng , Liu Weiyin , Chen Jun
Published: August 2024

Grading liver fibrosis using intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) have been shown inconsistent results possibly for differences between liver segments and recruited types of patients. We systematically evaluated all measurements retrieved based on liver segments and classified by stage of liver fibrosis, and inconsistent repeatability and reliability of IVIM-derived values were found, attributing to inter- and intra- manual measurement bias and inhomogeneous distribution of tissue components such as fibrosis. ROC curve analysis showed moderate diagnostic efficiency between early hepatic fibrosis (EHF) and advanced HF (AHF), but not HCs from EHF based on IVIM-derived parameters with acceptable repeatability and reliability.
Association Between NAFLD and Blood Flow: Portal 4D-flow, 2D-flow, Hepatic Elasticity and Spleen Volume
Authors: Eriksson Jonatan , Bartholomä Wolf , Dahlström Nils , Tellman Jens , Kechagias Stergios , Nasr Patrik , Ekstedt Mattias , Kihlberg Johan , Lundberg Peter
Published: August 2024

A group of 6 healthy and 9 NAFLD-patients underwent a multi-parametric MRI examination, including 4D-, 2D-flow, MRE and relaxometry. 2D-flow results were successfully extracted from 4D-flow data, showing good match with 2D-flow, indicating that 4D-flow provides the opportunity to both provide regular flow values as well as additional information e.g. flow visualizations. Correlation between 4D-flow and spleen volume indicate that 4D-flow could provide markers for early portal hypertension.
Liver regeneration of residual right lobe after left lateral sectionectomy in living liver donors: a pilot study based on IVIM and T2* mapping MRI
Authors: xie shuangshuang , qiu caixin , shen wen
Published: August 2024

This study investigated the dynamic changes of residual right liver lobe after left lateral sectionectomy (LLS) and the potential value of IVIM and T2* mapping in evaluation of liver regeneration in living liver donors. All IVIM indexes of right liver lobe showed no obvious changes after surgery, but liver T2* values increased significantly at 2 weeks after surgery, and kept increasing gradually from week 2 to 8. Liver T2* values correlated moderately with liver volume, it may be a good substitute to liver volume in evaluating liver regeneration
3D liver R2, R2* and quantitative susceptibility maps in a single breath-hold
Authors: Li Chao , Li Jiahao , Zhang Jinwei , Spincemaille Pascal , Nguyen Thanh , Wang Yi
Published: August 2024

In this work, a 3D stack-of-spiral spoiled gradient echo sequence was implemented using T2 prepared single and multi-echo gradient echo acquisition for simultaneous R2, R2* and QSM mapping in a single breath hold within 24 secs.
PCa Risk Prediction Model：Combined Clinical Characteristics AND mpMRI Parameters for Prediction of Risk of PCa
Authors: Chen Aiqi , Li Xiang , Xu Jingxu , Yue Xiuzheng , Chen Shoukang , Ma Yichuan
Published: August 2024

It’s still a challenge to accurately diagnose prostate cancer through MRI before operation. PI-RADS was capable of assessing the value of risk, but it did not combine clinical characteristics. we combined clinical characteristics and mpMRI parameters for the prediction of the risk of prostate cancer and compared them with PI-RADS. We found that the model was significantly better than PI-RADS (P=0.01976). The AUC of the model is higher than that of PI-RADS (0.99＞0.90, p=0.019). This study demonstrated the feasibility of the model to predict the risk of prostate cancers early so that low-risk patients can avoid unnecessary needle biopsies.
Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging: an alternative method to differentiate the prostate diseases
Authors: Lihua Chen , Qingwei Song , Wu Zhigang , Wang Jiazhegn , Liu Ailian
Published: August 2024

Differentiation of prostate hyperplasia, prostatitis and prostate cancerremains challenge using conventional MR techniques, especially for prostatitis and prostate cancer. This study evaluates the value of Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging to differentiate these diseases. Results of this study indicate that ADC value has no significant difference, but Fraction of Fast ADC-Mono and Fraction of Fast ADC-Bi shows significant difference between prostate hyperplasia vs prostate cancer. Slow ADC-Bi values shows difference between prostatitis vs prostate cancer. In summary, IVIM combined with different fitting scheme is potentially a promising and valuable method for differentiation of prostate hyperplasia, prostatitis and prostate cancer.
Symptomatic cerebrospinal fluid HIV escape: a quantitative MR-based assessment
Authors: Capelli Serena , Caroli Anna , Pezzetti Giulio , Ferretti Francesca , Cinque Paola , Gerevini Simonetta
Published: August 2024

This study aimed at quantitatively assessing T1-weighted, FLAIR and DWI brain alterations in 14 patients with cerebrospinal fluid HIV escape (HIV-ESC) and 7 patients with untreated HIV encephalitis (HIV-ENC), versus 11 HIV patients without neurological problems and 12 HIV-negative controls. HIV-ESC and HIV-ENC patients showed significantly higher ADC in WM and GM and increased WM FLAIR signal than the other groups. In HIV-ESC patients, the heterogeneous GM volume was negatively correlated with MRI time from infection. WM FLAIR hyperintensity in HIV-ESC and HIV-ENC patients may reflect vasogenic edema, with mass effect depending on its degree and possible underlying brain atrophy.
Feasibility of textural analysis and very-low-field magnetic resonance for imaging Nipah virus infection
Authors: Aggarwal Kunal , Cong Yu , Lee Ji Hyun , Mani Venkatesh , Calcagno Claudia , Holbrook Michael , Geethanath Sairam
Published: August 2024

Our study focuses on textural analysis of high field and low field MR images and its validation through simulation. We acquired MR images of three NHPs at 3T injected with NiV and simulated them into low field to perform texture analysis for different neuroanatomies. The low field simulation was done by changing contrast, resolution and SNR. The validation of low field simulation was performed by scanning phantom at 3T and 0.05T and passing the data though low field simulator. Results showed four out of 14 textural features had similar changes in 2 NHPs.
Application of slice-accelerated one-minute TGSE-BLADE DWI in clinical practices
Authors: Okuchi Sachi , Fushimi Yasutaka , Nakajima Satoshi , Sakata Akihiko , Hinoda Takuya , Otani Sayo , Sakurama Azusa , Wicaksono Krishna , Tagawa Hiroshi , Wang Yang , Ikeda Satoshi , ito Shuichi , Takiya Miyuki , Zhou Kun , Nakamoto Yuji
Published: August 2024

TGSE-BLADE DWI has been reported to reduce geometric distortion and susceptibility artifacts, however the long acquisition time prevent its clinical application. We reduced acquisition time to 1 minute for TGSE-BLADE DWI using slice acceleration (1-min TGSE-BLADE DWI). We compared distortion and artifacts between SS-EPI DWI and 1-min TGSE-BLADE DWI, and evaluated diagnostic performance for acute infarctions of 1-min TGSE-BLADE DWI. The result shows that the 1-min TGSE-BLADE-DWI has better quality image in terms of distortion and artifacts, and higher diagnostic performance for acute infarctions. TGSE-BLADE DWI with slices acceleration is a promising method for evaluating lesions in acute stroke patients.
DWI Imaging for the Discrimination of Cytotoxic Lesions and Acute Ischemic Infarction of the Corpus Callosum: Utility of Relative ADC.
Authors: Tang Xing , Chen Anqi
Published: August 2024

Cytotoxic lesions of the corpus callosum (CLOCCs) is a rare clinical-imaging syndrome, which is difficult to differentiate from acute ischemic infarction of the splenium of the corpus callosum (AII-SCC) by conventional MRI, DWI and ADC value. In this study, a novel relative ADC (rADC) value was proposed. Results showed that the rADC value of CLOCCs is significantly lower than that of AII-SCC, which Indicated that rADC value may have the potential to distinguish these two diseases.
Association of longitudinal changes in cerebral microstructure with cognitive function in breast cancer survivors after adjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Wu Yi-Fang , Chen Vincent Chin-Hung , Tsai Yuan-Hsiung , Weng Jun-Cheng
Published: August 2024

Adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer might impact cognitive function and brain structure. In this study, we investigated the cerebral microstructural changes in breast cancer survivors after adjuvant chemotherapy and the correlation with cognitive function with longitudinal study designs. The results showed brain volume reduction in thefrontal and temporal regions were also observed in patients from baseline to postchemotherapy. An association between brain volume and cognitive performance was also found in the limbic system. According to our findings, the study was useful in developing a prediction model as well as a guide for cancer treatment.
Diffuse dural sinus hyperintensities on arterial spin labeling reflects reduced cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen in sickle cell anemia patients
Authors: Song Alexander , Waddle Spencer , Jones Randall , Patel Niral , Davis Samantha , Custer Chelsea , Davis Larry , Pruthi Sumit , Eisma Jarrod , Aumann Megan , Jordan Lori , Donahue Manus
Published: August 2024

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients have elevated cerebral blood flow and flow velocities to partially compensate for reduced blood oxygen content; this phenomenon may result in inefficient oxygen delivery to tissue due to accelerated red cell capillary transit. Pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) and T2-relaxation-under-sping-tagging (TRUST) MRI methods were used to assess arterial-to-venous transit artifacts and oxygen metabolism in 150 SCA participants. Patients with diffuse dural sinus hyperintensities on pCASL had 22.7% lower cerebral metabolic rates of oxygen compared to their counterparts; however, values remained within a normal range of 2.91±0.69 ml O2/100g/min and were not associated with infarct history.
Ultra-high field MRI sequences for clot characterization in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Lövblad Karl-Olof , LaGrange Daniela Dumitriu , Xin Lijing , Reymond Philippe , Fitzgerald Seàn , Doyle Karen , Machi Paolo , Vargas Maria , Lazeyras François , Wanke Isabel
Published: August 2024

In acute ischemic stroke, the composition of the clot occluding the arteries is associated with the underlying pathophysiology and with the response to treatment. Innovative MRI sequences aim to improve the ability to recognize clot composition from neuroimaging signs. Using ultra-high field MR imaging of clot analogs, we demonstrate the ability of R2* map to distinguish between red blood cells-rich and fibrin-rich compositions. This technique can also be used for the volumetric analysis of formalin fixed clots. Further studies with intermediate clot compositions and improved phantoms will reveal the full potential of MRI sequences for depicting clot composition.
An investigation into the derangement of the linear relationship between 1/T1 and 1/H2O in brain tumours
Authors: Thomas Dennis , Deichmann Ralf , Hattingen Elke , Alcicek Seyma , Pilatus Ulrich , Wenger Katharina
Published: August 2024

Quantitative MRI was applied to assess T1 and water content (H2O) in brain tumors. 1/T1 and 1/H2O are linearly related in healthy WM and GM. Here, we explore deviations from this linear relationship in the tumor regions in 3 glioblastoma patients. Linear regression between 1/T1 and 1/H2O was performed in the healthy brain in the contralateral hemisphere and the obtained values were used to calculate predicted 1/H2O maps for the whole brain. Difference maps between predicted and true 1/H2O were calculated. Further, the importance of robust bias field correction techniques is demonstrated here by comparing two bias field correction approaches.
Comparative Evaluation of Metabolite Composition in Brain Tumor Epilepsy Patients
Authors: Najam Natasha , Tobochnik Steven , Liao Huijin , Kim Sanghoon , Lee Jong , Lin Alexander
Published: August 2024

Brain Tumor Related Epilepsy (BTRE) is a multi-factorial condition with unclear pathophysiology. It has a robust prevalence in tumor patients with 20-40% experiencing onset seizures and a further 20-45% experiencing refractory seizures to treatment.1 This work examines the tumor microenvironment using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to learn more about the epileptogenic mechanisms through a comparison of metabolite composition in BTRE patients and non-seizure tumor patients. Increasing knowledge about the pathophysiology of BTRE might aid the management of anti-tumor and BTRE treatment in the future.
Using MR Elastography in the Assessment of Low-Grade Fibrosis of Pediatric Kidney Transplant Recipients.
Authors: Serai Suraj , Otero Hansel , Morales-Tisnes Tatiana , Elsingergy Mohamed , Bhatti Tricia , Viteri Bernarda
Published: August 2024

MRE can propagate shear waves which can provide better estimates of stiffness of smaller and deeper structures. Here, we found a positive correlation between kidney elasticity and the presence of histological fibrosis where stiffness values tended to be higher in fibrosed allografts than stable or native kidneys. If clinically approved, elastography would not only be useful for early detection of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy in renal transplants, which would individualize the need for immunosuppression therapy, but could also be used as a screening tool to evaluate fibrosis in potential donors to identify best candidates prior to the transplantation procedure.
High resolution, swap free, and motion compensated water/fat separation in free-breathing pediatric T1-weighted abdominal MRI
Authors: Nosrati Reyhaneh , Afacan Onur , Pelkola Kristina , Bixby Sarah , Warfield Simon
Published: August 2024

T1-weighted GRE sequence with Dixon technique for water/fat separation is a routine component of abdominal MRI to detect lesions and characterize hemorrhage/fat content. The limitations of the routine free-breathing T1-weighted pediatric abdominal MRI and water/fat separation includes low-resolution to achieve high pixel-bandwidth and minimize chemical shift, respiratory motion blurring (despite radial acquisition) that degrades image sharpness, water/fat swapping, and off-resonance fat blurring due to multi-peak nature of fat spectrum. We have assessed a novel image acquisition and reconstruction pipeline based on 3-point Dixon method, multi-peak fat model, and residual motion correction to address all the limitations of the current practice.
Exploring accelerated MRI based Bone Imaging in Pediatric Congenital Spinal Anomalies
Authors: Gala Foram , Manek Hirava , Saha Indrajit , Rolla Narayana , Kumar Pradeep , Rao Rashmi
Published: August 2024

Congenital spinal anomalies are common in children resulting in spinal deformities and these could be due to isolated vertebral segmentation abnormalities or with added cord abnormalities referred to as spinal dysraphism. Early surgical intervention is necessary in these children which requires both MRI and CT scan evaluation for cord and bone details respectively. We utilized novel technique - Compressed Sense accelerated MRI based - Fast field echo Resembling A CT Using Restricted Echo-spacing (CS-FRACTURE) technique in pediatric patients which provides CT like contrast. We describe our experience in evaluation of congenital spinal anomalies
Probing arm muscle structure underlying motor impairment in children with cerebral palsy using DTI tractography
Authors: Joshi Divya , Hruby Alexandra , Dewald Julius , Ingo Carson
Published: August 2024

Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) exhibit musculoskeletal maladaptations that have a profound impact on wrist and hand function, yet there is little understanding regarding underlying arm muscle structural changes. We implemented DTI to estimate in vivo muscle architecture of a forearm flexor muscle in both paretic and non-paretic arms of children with hemiparetic CP (n=5). Bone length, muscle size, fascicle lengths, and MD decreased while fascicle curvature increased in the paretic limb. Interlimb differences in fascicle length and curvature were correlated with interlimb differences in MD. We show that DTI is effective at capturing forearm muscle architecture changes in CP.
Habitat analysis by multi-parametric MRI predicts progressive white matter hyperintensities in cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Han Xu , Gu Xiyao , Zhou Yan
Published: August 2024

White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are commonly seen in cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and are associated with an risk of cognitive impairment. However, the mechanism by which WMH develop is incompletely characterized. In this study, we conducted habitat analysis based on physiologic MRI parameters to investigate whether WMH habitat can predict progressive WMH in CSVD. We found that the physiologic MRI habitat with lower fractional anisotropy and cerebral blood flow, higher mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity and radial diffusivity was highly overlapping with the growing WMH in patients after one-year followup, and thus could predict progressive WMH in CSVD.
Physics-guided self-supervised learning for retrospective T1 and T2 mapping from conventional weighted brain MRI
Authors: Qiu Shihan , Christodoulou Anthony , Sati Pascal , Xie Yibin , Li Debiao
Published: August 2024

Quantitative MRI directly measures tissue physical parameters, but has limited clinical adoption due to additional scan time and specialized sequence requirements. Supervised deep learning methods were developed to estimate relaxation maps from conventional weighted images. However, paired weighted images and quantitative maps required for training are hard to obtain. In this work, a physics-guided self-supervised learning approach was developed to estimate T1 and T2 maps from conventional weighted images. Using the Bloch equations to decode the estimated maps back to weighted images and enforcing similarity in the image space, the approach realized label-free training and provided maps comparable to references.
Multi-parametric quantitative MRI without inversion pulses by optimized RF phase modulation
Authors: Fuderer Miha , Liu Hongyan , van der Heide Oscar , van den Berg Cornelis , Sbrizzi Alessandro
Published: August 2024

We applied optimized phase modulation to the RF sequence in MR-STAT. We observe that applying optimized phase is beneficial towards the accuracy of T1 and T2 maps, particularly under constrained conditions. In particular, when comparing sequences with and without an initial inversion pulse we observe that the difference vanishes when applying optimized RF phase modulation. Thus optimized phase modulation allows to omit the initial inversion pulse. We hypothesize that the same holds for other multi-parametric qMRI techniques such as MRF.
The diagnostic value of synthetic MRI in predicting the activity of Graves ophthalmopathy
Authors: Yang Luxi , Wang Wenhua , Chen Yunwen , Zhang Miaoqi , Nie Lisha , Zhang Xiao , Pan Zhihua
Published: August 2024

In this study, we aim to investigate the performance of quantitative measurements from synthetic MRI in predicting the disease activity of Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO).40 patients with different Clinical Activity Scores are investigated. We found a trend that the muscles’ T1, T2 and PD values increased with increasing CAS level, spatially for T2 values. Furthermore, fact that T2 escalation in ‘inactive’ CAS groups compared with healthy controls, indicate CAS staging may underestimate disease activity. We conclude that synthetic MRI have potential to predict clinical activity of GO, and T2 value has the highest diagnostic efficiency.
Comparison of UTE-T1ρ vs. MAPSS-T1ρ Sequences in In-Vivo Knees
Authors: Sacher Sara , Carl Michael , Potter Hollis , Koff Matthew
Published: August 2024

The relative accuracy of an ultrashort echo time (UTE) based T1ρ sequence was compared to a MAPSS based T1ρ sequence in the evaluation of articular cartilage. Scanning with similar parameters between the acquisitions was performed, producing similar T1ρ values in all cartilage sub-compartments except for the femoral trochlea (TrF). TrF MAPSS-T1ρ values were shorter than TrF UTE-T1ρ values (10.91% difference, p = 0.0028). Overall, there was reasonable agreement between the two sequences indicating that UTE-T1ρ may be a promising method to use in place of conventional MAPSS sequences to quantify T1ρ values of articular cartilage.
Analysis of the Discretization Error vs. Estimation Time Tradeoff of MRF Dictionary Matching and the Advantage of the Neural Net-based Approach
Authors: Rao Chinmay , Meineke Jakob , Pezzotti Nicola , Staring Marius , van Osch Matthias , Doneva Mariya
Published: August 2024

Traditional MR fingerprinting involves matching the acquired signal evolutions against a dictionary of expected tissue fingerprints to obtain the corresponding tissue parameters. Since this dictionary is essentially a discrete representation of a physical model and the matching process amounts to brute-force search in a discretized parameter space, there arises a tradeoff between discretization error and parameter estimation time. In this work, we investigate this tradeoff and show via numerical simulation how a neural net-based approach solves it. We additionally conduct a phantom study using 1.5T and 3T data to demonstrate the consistency of neural net-based estimation with dictionary matching.
Reproducing the effect of Steady-State stabilization on MR signals and images and its relation to pulse sequences by MRI simulation
Authors: Tawara Noriyuki , Tamada Daiki
Published: August 2024

The objective of this study was to reproduce the generation process of Steady-State and FLASH Band in MRI phenomena that cannot be reproduced by the actual equipment because of the restrictions imposed by venders, in order to directly confirm their relationship with pulse sequences. MRI simulation can reproduce Bloch equation faithfully, and thus it is possible to reproduce the relation between pulse sequences and the phenomena related to MRI as numerical data.
Assessment of neurochemistry in human-derived cerebral organoids using high-resolution magic angle spinning NMR
Authors: Near Jamie , Chinchalongporn Vorapin , Biswas Rajshree Ghosh , Wu Maggie , Wilson Martin , Simpson Andre , Schuurmans Carol
Published: August 2024

Cerebral organoids are self-organizing three-dimensional clusters of brain tissue, derived from human pluripotent stem cells. A new and rapidly advancing technology, cerebral organoids serve as an important model system for human brain research. In this study, we used high-resolution magic angle spinning (HR-MAS) NMR to characterize the neurochemical profile of ~100-day old cerebral organoids. High-quality spectra were obtained with excellent spectral resolution. More than 17 metabolites were detected, including many resonances commonly observed in the brain in vivo (e.g. choline, creatine, glutamate, GABA, etc.). Notably, NAA was absent. Future work will assess cerebral organoids at later stages of maturity.
Multi-Echo EPI performed on NexGen 7T scanner increases spatial resolution and shortens TE
Authors: Beckett Alexander , Vu An , Ma Samantha , Yacoub Essa , Feinberg David
Published: August 2024

Multi-echo (ME) EPI can increase BOLD sensitivity and reduce signal drop-out compared with standard gradient echo (GE) EPI, however spatial resolution and number of echo images are limited by the echo train length of each image. The powerful gradients on the NexGen 7T scanner allow for shorter echo spacing, and hence a greater number of echoes collected at high-resolution (1.6mm isotropic) as compared to standard 7T systems. ME-EPI collected at these resolutions can be separated into TE-dependent and TE-independent components using ME-ICA, showing promise for ME functional connectivity studies at 7T.
Characterizing Artifacts in Multi-dimensional MR Fingerprinting with High Efficiency for Sequence Optimization: Systematic Error Index
Authors: Hu Siyuan , McGivney Debra , Qiu Zhilang , Ma Dan
Published: August 2024

It is critical to characterize the dominating systematic errors caused by undersampling and field inhomogeneity to design robust MRF scans. However, characterizing such errors by direct simulations of aliasing artifacts is computationally expensive and impractical for sequence optimization for multi-dimensional MRF (mdMRF) scans with higher dimensions. We propose the Systematic Error Index, a model to characterize systematic errors with high computational efficiency. We demonstrate accurate and robust in vivo results from the optimized MRF and mdMRF scans obtained from the proposed SEI-based optimization framework.
A Frequency Modulation HArd Pulse ENcoding Sequence for Ultra-Short Echo Time High-Resolution Three-Dimensional MR Imaging
Authors: Zhao Jun , Cao Yupeng , Tang Weinan , Chen Quelu , Liu Wentao , Han Dong
Published: August 2024

Due to its short T2* value and low proton density, MR imaging of the lung is quite challenging. Recently, ultra-short echo time (UTE) techniques, such as stack-of-spiral, were used to conduct lung MRI with good image quality. Here, based on stack-of-spiral, a frequency modulation hard pulse encoding (HAPEN) 3D UTE was proposed to optimize the echo time of different phase encoding steps in the slice direction. As a result, HAPEN can achieve shorter TE and get better SNR in human lung MRI compared to the traditional stack-of-spiral UTE sequence.
Optimized, volumetric, isotropic-resolution T2W 2D FLAIR with high temporal and SNR efficiencies
Authors: Kim Dahan , Chao Tzu Cheng , Wang Dinghui , Pipe James
Published: August 2024

We describe our novel T2W 2D FLAIR sequence whose temporal and SNR efficiencies are maximized by (1) an efficient IR acquisition that minimizes sequence deadtime and (2) localized quadratic encoding which eliminates SNR-inefficiencies of multi-pass 2D acquisitions. These improvements allowed our FLAIR scan to shorten the scan time while achieving higher SNR than standard SE and 2D-TSE scans of identical/equivalent scan time.
Cardiac-Gated Rosette Pulse Sequence Development for Off-Resonance Frequency Imaging
Authors: Bertini Julian , Liu Mira , Warioba Chisondi , Chen Yu Fen , Carroll Timothy
Published: August 2024

Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is a leading cause of preventable ischemic stroke. Long-term management of chronic ICAD would benefit from directly quantifying key risk factors, such as the oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) and cerebrovascular reserve (CVR). The accurate measurement of the phase signal is vital to measuring OEF using MRI and seeing these effects through the cardiac cycle promises to elucidate CVR. A cardiac-gated, multi-shot, multi-echo rosette pulse sequence is developed and validated with simulation and a phantom study. The proposed pulse sequence and reconstruction pipeline produces strong off-resonance frequency measurements with a scan time under two minutes.
Modified non-contrast enhanced spatially-selective time-resolved vessel imaging by using cylinder-shaped pre-saturation pulse train
Authors: Takizawa Masahiro , Nishihara Takashi , Moriwake Chikako
Published: August 2024

Cylinder-shaped pre-saturation pulse train is modified to achieve non subtract scheme for non-contrast enhanced spatially-selective and time-resolved vessel imaging. The target vessel is selected by cylinder-shaped pre-saturation, and the dynamics of blood flow in the target vessel is observed by changing the number of applied pre-saturation pulses. The developed pulse train was demonstrated to visualize dynamics of a target pulmonary vessel in the lung.
Pre-Operative In Silico Risk Assessment for Hepatectomy Patients, Using MRI and Pharmacokinetic Modeling
Authors: Simonsson Christian , Bartholomä Wolf Claus , Larsson Anna Lindhoff , Karlsson Markus , Tellman Jens , Cedersund Gunnar , Norén Bengt , Dahlström Nils , Sandström Per , Lundberg Peter
Published: August 2024

For a range of late-stage liver disease the only curative treatment option may be hepatectomy surgery, which can have fatal complications. Therefore, a pre-operative risk assessment is vital. However, usually the assessment only investigates global liver function. For a more precise assessment, we investigate the possibility of using DCE-MRI in combination with pharmacokinetic modeling to quantify both global- and regional liver function. Also, we show a novel eight-compartment hepatic model, capable of performing an in-silico resection. We show the tentative predictive capabilities of this approach. This approach could lead to a more precise pre-operative assessment.
Hepatocellular carcinoma with central scar: imaging findings of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and pathological features
Authors: Xing Fei , Wang Yi , Zhao Xian
Published: August 2024

central scar is not a rare feature of conventional non-fifibrolamellar HCC. The dynamic enhancement mode of Gd-EOB-DTPA was helpful to distinguish inflammatory, collagenous, and vascular scars. The EOB “target sign” had a certain characteristic but non-specific, which still needed to be combined with MRI features of the mass.
Differentiation between HCC and ICC using 3D amide proton transfer weighted imaging and diffusion kurtosis imaging
Authors: Xu Qihao , Liu Ailian , Lin Tao , Zheng Dandan , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Chen Lihua , Song Qingwei , Pu Renwang , Zhao Ying , Ren Xue
Published: August 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) are the two most common primary intrahepatic malignant tumors, and the prognosis and treatment methods are significantly different between them. The purpose of this study was to explore the diagnostic ability of APTw and DKI in distinguishing ICC from HCC. When the APTw values were combined with DKI parameters, the AUC was improved from 0.760 to 0.784 and the sensitivity reached 100%. Our preliminary study showed that APTw combined with the mean diffusivity and kurtosis anisotropy values drived from DKI demonstrated a better performance in the differential diagnosis of HCC and ICC.
Sex differences in subcutaneous fat thickness and bone marrow fat area and their relationship to BMI and age
Authors: Johnson Talon , Ren Jimin , Henning Anke
Published: August 2024

This study evaluated the sex factor in affecting fat distribution in bone marrow and subcutaneous tissue in human lower extremity. Bone marrow fat (BMF) was characterized by the cross-sectional area in the fibula bone and subcutaneous fat (SF) was measured by the thickness of SF (SFT) in the periphery of calf muscle. It is found that SFT and BMF are statistically significantly correlated to BMI and age, respectively, in women (n = 43), but not in men (n = 59). For a subgroup of subjects with thinner SFT (<15 mm, n = 87), SFT is negatively correlated to BMF.
Compressed SENSE AI enhanced mDixon-Quant MR Imaging in the Lumber Spine Study
Authors: Li Linzhe , Duan Junhong , Liu Muqi , Liao Yunjie , Hu Pengzhi , Zhao Chen
Published: August 2024

Compressed SENSE (CS) has been suggested to speed up MRI acquisition in clinical studies, while reducing artefacts and improving image quality. To date, the optimal acceleration factor (AF) for Compressed SENSE AI (CS AI) versus conventional compressed SENSE (CS) on lumber spine images remains unclear. In this study, the impact of CS AI technique with different acceleration factors compared with conventional CS on the utility of measuring lumber spine fat was investigated. Results of this study showed that CS AI not only shortened MRI acquisition time, but also ensured image quality, as well as clinical diagnostic accuracy and clinical throughput.
Investigating early-stage parkinsonism using a dedicated MRI protocol and decision tree
Authors: Seada Samy Abo , van der Eerden Anke , Boon Agnita , Hernandez-Tamames Juan
Published: August 2024

A dedicated MRI protocol and decision tree are presented for differentially diagnosing parkinsonisms. Decision rules are based on existing literature which identified biomarkers with a sensitivity and specificity around or above 80%. Initial in-vivo results from patients are presented, and their MRI findings are partially in agreement with existing literature. Our goal is to test our method on patients at an early-stage when their clinical diagnosis is unclear.
Diffusion and structural MRI as potential biomarkers to reflect correlation with plasma biomarkers in nondemented Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Tsai Chih-Chien , Huang Chun-Chao , Chen Pei-Hao , Chiang Hsin-Fan , Hsieh Cheng‑Chih , Chen Ting-Lin , Liao Wei-Hsin , Chen Yao-Liang , Wang Jiun-Jie
Published: August 2024

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with motor dysfunction and cognitive impairments frequently. Previous studies indicated that diffusion MRI could detect white matter alteration in the brain, which can be correlated with disease severity. We use diffusion MRI to investigate the relationship between cognitive functions and these plasma biomarkers. Our study showed that the involved regions might play important roles in early cognitive decline as related to the pathological deposition of the respective plasma biomarkers. This observation might help to elucidate the early pathological change of the brain contributing to different cognitive declines in PD patients.
Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping in Distinguishing Between Patients with Mild and Moderate Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Mo Zhanhao , Liu Lin , Zhang Lei , Tang Runyu , Zhang Yunfei , Dai Yongming , Sui He
Published: August 2024

Iron concentrations were associated with many significant pathological processes in the brain. The advent of Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) enabled the assessment of magnetic susceptibility in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) brains. Our study revealed that magnetic susceptibilities of regional brain structures varied in mild and moderate PD and we investigated the possibility of early detection of PD using QSM.
Histogram analysis of diffusion kurtosis imaging of deep brain nuclei in Parkinson's disease with different motor subtypes
Authors: Wang Jin , Bi Qiu , Chen Linyu , Li Shan , Zhang Hongjiang , Cheng Changxin , Wu Yunzhu , Wang Bo
Published: August 2024

Parkinson's disease (PD) has significant clinical heterogeneity. According to its motor symptoms, PD could be divided into two principal clinical subtypes: tremor-dominant (TD) and postural instability and gait disorder (PIGD). Identifying clinical subtypes of PD could serve to better understand the underlying disease mechanisms, predict progression, and guide treatment. In this study, diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) combined with histogram analysis were used to evaluate the microstructural changes of the deep brain gray matter nuclei in PD patients. And it demonstrated that DKI histogram analysis was useful to diagnose and discriminate different motor subtypes of PD.
Diffuse destruction of white matter myelin sheath integrity associated with cognitive impairment of long-term Parkinson’s disease patients
Authors: Gao Bingbing , Lin Liangjie , Miao Yanwei
Published: August 2024

The incidence of Parkinson's disease patients combined with dementia increased significantly with the extension of disease course, and increased from 26.3% to 83% at twenty years after diagnosis. This study aims to use diffusion tensor imaging to detect the pattern of white matter damage in long-term PD patients with cognitive impairment, and results indicated that PD patients have diffuse FA decrease of white matter that is correlated with cognitive status.
Dobutamine-induced Stress Altered Cerebral Blood Flow in Healthy Adults: a 3D Pseudocontinuous Arterial Spin Labeling Study
Authors: Ren Pengling , zhang Tingting , Niu Haijun , Liu Yawen , Cai Linkun , zhao erwei , Wang Yishi , Zhu Yi , Liu Dong , Li Min , Liu Wenjuan , Qiao Penggang , Zheng Wei , Yang Zhenghan , Wang Zhenchang
Published: August 2024

It is not fully known whether dobutamine commonly clinically used in echocardiography and short-term treatment of congestive heart failure has effect on brain microcirculatory behavior. In this study, we sought to investigate the effect of dobutamine on cerebral haemodynamics in healthy volunteers. The results showed that dobutamine-induced stress significantly decreased the CBF in the anterior circulation, mainly in frontal lobe. Furthermore, volunteers with high BMI, large BA diameter and low SBP during dobutamine stress test are more likely to have stress-induced decrease of CBF.
Real-time phase contrast sequences versus conventional phase contrast sequences in cerebral blood flow quantification: an in vivo study
Authors: LIU Pan , Monnier Heimiri , Owashi Kimi , Metanbou Serge , Capel Cyrille , Balédent Olivier
Published: August 2024

Real-time phase contrast sequences (RT-PC) appear to have great potential in clinical applications. However, it is important to validate RT-PC in the quantification of cerebral blood flow prior to its use in clinical applications. In this study, we analyzed RT-PC accuracy by comparing the segmentation area, flow rate and pulsatility index of cerebral vessels obtained from RT-PC and conventional phase contrast sequences. RT-PC with 2×2 mm2 spatial resolution and 75ms/image temporal resolution can accurately quantify cerebral blood flow rate with an error of less than 3%. Higher temporal resolution in RT-PC could improve accuracy in cerebral arterial flow quantification.
Correlation of volume transfer constant measured from WEPCAST and DCE-MRI: A pilot study
Authors: Sankaralayam Dinil Sasi , Shi Wen , Lin Zixuan , DuVal Anna , Hazel Kaisha , Ecoff Katie , Jiang Dengrong , Saidha Shiv , Lu Hanzhang
Published: August 2024

There is an unmet need of a non-invasive technique to compute the water exchange between vascular and extra-vascular space in the brain since blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption is common in many pathologies and the state of art exogenous contrast agent based method cann’t be applied to all clinical population. So, the current study is aimed at computing a volume transfer constant (Ktrans) from water-extraction-with-phase-contrast-arterial-spin-labelling (WEPCAST) method and to compare it with the global Ktrans from DCE-MRI data. Results of the study finds a good correlation between Ktrans computed from WEPCAST and DCE-MRI data.
Improved visualization of T1-weighted carotid artery plaque imaging using time-efficient spiral spin-echo DIXON with Compressed SENSE
Authors: Enzaki Masahiro , Azuma Minako , Kadota Yoshihito , Takahashi Tenma , Yoneyama Masami , Hamano Hiroshi , Komi Masanori
Published: August 2024

In MR carotid plaque imaging, black-blood imaging can diagnose plaque components and predict plaque hardness with a high degree of accuracy. In this study, we proposed T1-weighted black-blood carotid plaque images using non-ECG gated time-efficient Spiral spin-echo (SE) with Compressed SENSE (CS-Spiral SE) and compared with conventional ECG-gated DIR-TSE. We have demonstrated that the non-gated CS-Spiral SE could provide improved visualization in carotid plaque imaging with superior contrast to DIR-TSE with sufficient fat and blood signal suppression within a shorter scan time. It has a great potential to help more accurate assessment and characterization of the carotid atherosclerotic plaque.
Regional coupling of macrovascular flow velocity and cerebrovascular reactivity amplitude and delay in healthy adolescents
Authors: Zvolanek Kristina , Moore Jackson , Jarvis Kelly , Richter Adam , Moum Sarah , Bright Molly
Published: August 2024

In a preliminary sample of healthy adolescents, we evaluated the relationship between hemodynamic function in large cerebral arteries and smaller cortical vessels. Specifically, we investigated correlations between 4D flow MRI-derived systolic blood velocity in the anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries and BOLD cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) in associated vascular territories. Both the amplitude and delay of CVR were negatively correlated with systolic velocity. These results provide new insights into the mechanism of CVR and measures of macrovascular flow, but more work is needed to better understand these relationships. Our work establishes important normative data for future comparisons in cerebrovascular pathology.
Cerebrovascular Peak-Velocity Mapping in Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease (ICAD) using 4D Flow MRI
Authors: Moore Jackson , Koko Deima , Jarvis Kelly , Patel Abhinav , Richter Adam , Abdalla Ramez , Aristova Maria , Ragin Ann , Caprio Fan , Ansari Sameer , Schnell Susanne , Markl Michael
Published: August 2024

Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) accounts for 10-50% of acute ischemic strokes and is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. We used a semi-automated voxel-wise velocity-based mapping approach to visualize and quantify global and regional peak velocities (PVs) in the Circle of Willis (CoW) in 31 ICAD patients with moderate to severe MCA or ICA stenosis and 23 healthy controls. Our findings indicate 4D flow MRI-based cerebrovascular PV mapping can detect asymmetric PV distribution in the CoW on hemispheric and vessel levels. Future work will include investigation of PV asymmetry measures in the assessment of ICAD progression and outcomes.
Development of quantitative vessel analysis platform based on MR angiography to assess reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome
Authors: Kuo Pei-Hsuan , Wang Shuu-Jiun , Lirng Jiing-Feng , Chen Shih-Pin , Wu Chia-Hung , Kuo Yu , Lu Chia-Feng
Published: August 2024

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) shows reversible diffuse constriction of the cerebral arteries. Previous studies proposed manual measurement of vasoconstriction. However, the stenosis estimated by comparing the stenosed with proximally normal diameter might result in an underestimate of vasoconstriction for the long-segmental stenosis. Accordingly, we developed a quantitative vessel analysis platform to measure the vasoconstriction rate by comparing vessel diameters between acute and remission MR angiography. Our platform provided objective measures of vasoconstriction and further confirmed that acute RCVS presented not only local vasoconstriction but a large portion of short- and long-segmental vasoconstriction in all artery segments.
DCE-MRI in Distinguishing Solitary Brain Metastasis from Glioblastoma: Evaluation of Multiple Pharmacokinetic Models
Authors: Wang Bao , Yao Yuan , He Jingzhen , Pylypenko Dmytro
Published: August 2024

This study aimed to explore performances of parameters derived from DCE-MRI with multiple pharmacokinetic models regarding this differential diagnosis, as well as overall performances of models. Eighty-eight patients with suspected GBM and SBM underwent DCE-MRI in this study. Peritumoral vp from shutter-speed model achieved the best single-parameter’s performance. Additionally, shutter-speed model achieved the highest overall separating performance. Shutter-speed is the recommended DCE-MRI pharmacokinetic model for differential diagnosis between GBM and SBM.