Accelerated white matter lesion analysis based on simultaneous T1 and T2∗ quantification using magnetic resonance fingerprinting and deep learning.

PURPOSE: To develop an accelerated postprocessing pipeline for reproducible and efficient assessment of white matter lesions using quantitative magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) and deep learning. METHODS: MRF using echo-planar imaging (EPI) scans with varying repetition and echo times were acquired for whole brain quantification of T1 and T2∗ in 50 subjects with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 10 healthy volunteers along 2 centers. MRF T1 and T2∗ parametric maps were distortion corrected and denoised. A CNN was trained to reconstruct the T1 and T2∗ parametric maps, and the WM and GM probability maps. RESULTS: Deep learning-based postprocessing reduced reconstruction and image processing times from hours to a few seconds while maintaining high accuracy, reliability, and precision. Mean absolute error performed the best for T1 (deviations 5.6%) and the logarithmic hyperbolic cosinus loss the best for T2∗ (deviations 6.0%). CONCLUSIONS: MRF is a fast and robust tool for quantitative T1 and T2∗ mapping. Its long reconstruction and several postprocessing steps can be facilitated and accelerated using deep learning.

Magnetic resonance fingerprinting for simultaneous renal T1 and T2* mapping in a single breath-hold.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) for simultaneous quantification of T1 and T2∗ in a single breath-hold in the kidneys. METHODS: The proposed kidney MRF sequence was based on MRF echo-planar imaging. Thirty-five measurements per slice and overall 4 slices were measured in 15.4 seconds. Group matching was performed for in-line quantification of T1 and T2∗ . Images were acquired in a phantom and 8 healthy volunteers in coronal orientation. To evaluate our approach, region of interests were drawn in the kidneys to calculate mean values and standard deviations of the T1 and T2∗ times. Precision was calculated across multiple repeated MRF scans. Gaussian filtering is applied on baseline images to improve SNR and match stability. RESULTS: T1 and T2∗ times acquired with MRF in the phantom showed good agreement with reference measurements and conventional mapping methods with deviations of less than 5% for T1 and less than 10% for T2∗ . Baseline images in vivo were free of artifacts and relaxation times yielded good agreement with conventional methods and literature (deviation T1:7±4% , T2∗:6±3% ). CONCLUSIONS: In this feasibility study, the proposed renal MRF sequence resulted in accurate T1 and T2∗ quantification in a single breath-hold.

Time efficient whole-brain coverage with MR Fingerprinting using slice-interleaved echo-planar-imaging.

Magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) is a promising method for fast simultaneous quantification of multiple tissue parameters. The objective of this study is to improve the coverage of MRF based on echo-planar imaging (MRF-EPI) by using a slice-interleaved acquisition scheme. For this, the MRF-EPI is modified to acquire several slices in a randomized interleaved manner, increasing the effective repetition time of the spoiled gradient echo readout acquisition in each slice. Per-slice matching of the signal-trace to a precomputed dictionary allows the generation of T1 and T2* maps with integrated B1+ correction. Subsequent compensation for the coil sensitivity profile and normalization to the cerebrospinal fluid additionally allows for quantitative proton density (PD) mapping. Numerical simulations are performed to optimize the number of interleaved slices. Quantification accuracy is validated in phantom scans and feasibility is demonstrated in-vivo. Numerical simulations suggest the acquisition of four slices as a trade-off between quantification precision and scan-time. Phantom results indicate good agreement with reference measurements (Difference T1: -2.4 ± 1.1%, T2*: -0.5 ± 2.5%, PD: -0.5 ± 7.2%). In-vivo whole-brain coverage of T1, T2* and PD with 32 slices was acquired within 3:36 minutes, resulting in parameter maps of high visual quality and comparable performance with single-slice MRF-EPI at 4-fold scan-time reduction.

Temporally resolved parametric assessment of Z-magnetization recovery (TOPAZ): Dynamic myocardial T1 mapping using a cine steady-state look-locker approach.

PURPOSE: To develop and evaluate a cardiac phase-resolved myocardial T1 mapping sequence. METHODS: The proposed method for temporally resolved parametric assessment of Z-magnetization recovery (TOPAZ) is based on contiguous fast low-angle shot imaging readout after magnetization inversion from the pulsed steady state. Thereby, segmented k-space data are acquired over multiple heartbeats, before reaching steady state. This results in sampling of the inversion-recovery curve for each heart phase at multiple points separated by an R-R interval. Joint T1 and B1+ estimation is performed for reconstruction of cardiac phase-resolved T1 and B1+ maps. Sequence parameters are optimized using numerical simulations. Phantom and in vivo imaging are performed to compare the proposed sequence to a spin-echo reference and saturation pulse prepared heart rate-independent inversion-recovery (SAPPHIRE) T1 mapping sequence in terms of accuracy and precision. RESULTS: In phantom, TOPAZ T1 values with integrated B1+ correction are in good agreement with spin-echo T1 values (normalized root mean square error = 4.2%) and consistent across the cardiac cycle (coefficient of variation = 1.4 ± 0.78%) and different heart rates (coefficient of variation = 1.2 ± 1.9%). In vivo imaging shows no significant difference in TOPAZ T1 times between the cardiac phases (analysis of variance: P = 0.14, coefficient of variation = 3.2 ± 0.8%), but underestimation compared with SAPPHIRE (T1 time ± precision: 1431 ± 56 ms versus 1569 ± 65 ms). In vivo precision is comparable to SAPPHIRE T1 mapping until middiastole (P > 0.07), but deteriorates in the later phases. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed sequence allows cardiac phase-resolved T1 mapping with integrated B1+ assessment at a temporal resolution of 40 ms. Magn Reson Med 79:2087-2100, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Magnetic resonance fingerprinting using echo-planar imaging: Joint quantification of T1 and T2∗ relaxation times.

PURPOSE: To develop an implementation of the magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) paradigm for quantitative imaging using echo-planar imaging (EPI) for simultaneous assessment of T1 and T2∗. METHODS: The proposed MRF method (MRF-EPI) is based on the acquisition of 160 gradient-spoiled EPI images with rapid, parallel-imaging accelerated, Cartesian readout and a measurement time of 10 s per slice. Contrast variation is induced using an initial inversion pulse, and varying the flip angles, echo times, and repetition times throughout the sequence. Joint quantification of T1 and T2∗ is performed using dictionary matching with integrated B1+ correction. The quantification accuracy of the method was validated in phantom scans and in vivo in 6 healthy subjects. RESULTS: Joint T1 and T2∗ parameter maps acquired with MRF-EPI in phantoms are in good agreement with reference measurements, showing deviations under 5% and 4% for T1 and T2∗, respectively. In vivo baseline images were visually free of artifacts. In vivo relaxation times are in good agreement with gold-standard techniques (deviation T1 : 4 ± 2%, T2∗: 4 ± 5%). The visual quality was comparable to the in vivo gold standard, despite substantially shortened scan times. CONCLUSION: The proposed MRF-EPI method provides fast and accurate T1 and T2∗ quantification. This approach offers a rapid supplement to the non-Cartesian MRF portfolio, with potentially increased usability and robustness. Magn Reson Med 78:1724-1733, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.