A short-TR single-echo spin-echo breath-hold method for assessing liver T2.

OBJECTIVE: Conventional single-echo spin-echo T2 mapping used for liver iron quantification is too long for breath-holding. This study investigated a short TR (~100 ms) single-echo spin-echo T2 mapping technique wherein each image (corresponding to a single TE) could be acquired in ~17 s-short enough for a breath-hold. TE images were combined for T2 fitting. To avoid T1 bias, each TE acquisition incremented TR to maintain a constant TR-TE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experiments at 1.5T validated the technique's accuracy in phantoms, 9 healthy volunteers, and 5 iron overload patients. In phantoms and healthy volunteers, the technique was compared to the conventional approach of constant TR for all TEs. Iron overload results were compared to FerriScan. RESULTS: In phantoms, the constant TR-TE technique provided unbiased estimates of T2, while the conventional constant TR approach underestimated it. In healthy volunteers, there was no significant discrepancy at the 95% confidence level between constant TR-TE and reference T2 values, whereas there was for constant TR scans. In iron overload patients, there was a high correlation between constant TR-TE and FerriScan T2 values (r2 = 0.95), with a discrepancy of 0.6+/- 1.4 ms. DISCUSSION: The short-TR single-echo breath-hold spin-echo technique provided unbiased estimates of T2 in phantoms and livers.

Understanding Early Hemophilic Arthropathy in Children and Adolescents Through MRI T2 Mapping.

BACKGROUND: Persons with hemophilia experience hemarthrosis, which can lead to cartilage degeneration, causing physical impairment. MRI T2 mapping has the potential to be used as a tool to evaluate early arthropathic changes and cartilage degeneration in patients with hemophilia. PURPOSE: To assess the value of MRI-T2 mapping as a tool for investigating the cartilage status of children and adolescents with hemophilic arthropathy. STUDY TYPE: Prospective, cross-sectional. SUBJECTS: Twenty-eight boys with hemophilia (aged 5-17 years) and 23 healthy boys (aged 7-17 years). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCES: A multiecho spin-echo T2 -weighted gradient echo sequence was used on a 3.0T magnet. ASSESSMENT: MRI-T2 maps of ankle (tibia-talus) (n = 19) or knee (femur-tibia) (n = 9) cartilage were assessed in hemophilia and healthy groups. An anatomically-based MRI score was also assigned to each ankle/knee. STATISTICAL TESTS: Pearson's correlation coefficient (r), linear regression, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. RESULTS: Negative associations between age and ankle/knee cartilage T2 relaxation times were found in hemophilia (r = -0.72 [P = 0.03] to -0.55 [P = 0.01]) and healthy (r = -0.84 [P < 0.001] to -0.55 [P = 0.20]) groups. There were nonsignificant associations between ankle cartilage T2 relaxation times and MRI scores (r = -0.15 [P = 0.54] to 0.31 [P = 0.19]). DATA CONCLUSION: Results of this clinical investigation emphasize the potential importance of MRI-T2 maps as a tool to understand the functional status of cartilage in children and adolescents with hemophilic arthropathy, while holding promise for the detection of early cartilage degeneration prior to macroscopic characterization by conventional MRI. MRI-T2 mapping may provide novel information that is not reflected in the anatomically-based MRI scoring system. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2.

Impact of MRI technique on clinical decision-making in patients with liver iron overload: comparison of FerriScan- versus R2*-derived liver iron concentration.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical decision-making in iron overload patients using FerriScan and an R2*-based approach. METHODS: One-hundred and six patients were imaged at two consecutive timepoints (454 ± 158 days) on a 1.5-T Siemens MAGNETOM Avanto Fit scanner. For both timepoints, patients underwent the standard FerriScan MRI protocol. During the second exam, each patient additionally underwent R2*-MRI mapping. For each patient, a retrospective (simulated) decision was made to increase, decrease, or maintain chelator levels. Two different decision models were considered: The fixed threshold model assumed that chelator adjustments are based strictly on fixed liver iron concentration (LIC) thresholds. Decisions made with this model depend only on the most recent LIC value and do not require any clinician input. The second model utilized decisions made by two hematologists retrospectively based on trends between two consecutive LIC values. Agreement (κA) between hematologists (i.e., interobserver variability) was compared with the agreement (κB) between a single hematologist using the two different LIC techniques. RESULTS: Good agreement between R2*- and FerriScan-derived decisions was achieved for the fixed threshold model. True positive/negative rates were greater than 80%, and false positive/negative rates were less than 10%. ROC analysis yielded areas under the curve greater than 0.95. In the second model, the agreement in clinical decision-making for the two scenarios (κA vs. κB) was equal at the 95% confidence level. CONCLUSIONS: Switching to R2*-based LIC estimation from FerriScan has the same level of agreement in patient management decisions as does switching from one hematologist to another. KEY POINTS: • Good agreement between R2*- and FerriScan-derived decisions in liver iron overload patient management • Switching to R2*-based LIC estimation from FerriScan has the same level of agreement in patient management decisions as does switching from one hematologist to another.

A Valid and Precise Semiautomated Method for Quantifying Intermuscular Fat Intramuscular Fat in Lower Leg Magnetic Resonance Images.

The accumulation of INTERmuscular fat and INTRAmuscular fat (IMF) has been a hallmark of individuals with diabetes, those with mobility impairments such as spinal cord injuries and is known to increase with aging. An elevated amount of IMF has been associated with fractures and frailty, but the imprecision of IMF measurement has so far limited the ability to observe more consistent clinical associations. Magnetic resonance imaging has been recognized as the gold standard for portraying these features, yet reliable methods for quantifying IMF on magnetic resonance imaging is far from standardized. Previous investigators used manual segmentation guided by histogram-based region-growing, but these techniques are subjective and have not demonstrated reliability. Others applied fuzzy classification, machine learning, and atlas-based segmentation methods, but each is limited by the complexity of implementation or by the need for a learning set, which must be established each time a new disease cohort is examined. In this paper, a simple convergent iterative threshold-optimizing algorithm was explored. The goal of the algorithm is to enable IMF quantification from plain fast spin echo (FSE) T1-weighted MR images or from water-saturated images. The algorithm can be programmed into Matlab easily, and is semiautomated, thus minimizing the subjectivity of threshold-selection. In 110 participants from 3 cohort studies, IMF area measurement demonstrated a high degree of reproducibility with errors well within the 5% benchmark for intraobserver, interobserver, and test-retest analyses; in contrast to manual segmentation which already yielded over 20% error for intraobserver analysis. This algorithm showed validity against manual segmentations (r > 0.85). The simplicity of this technique lends itself to be applied to fast spin echo images commonly ordered as part of standard of care and does not require more advanced fat-water separated images.

Prospective Evaluation of an R2* Method for Assessing Liver Iron Concentration (LIC) Against FerriScan: Derivation of the Calibration Curve and Characterization of the Nature and Source of Uncertainty in the Relationship.

BACKGROUND: FerriScan is the method-of-choice for noninvasive liver iron concentration (LIC) quantification. However, it has a number of drawbacks including cost and expediency. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: To characterize an R2*-based MRI technique that may potentially be used as an alternative to FerriScan. This was accomplished through the derivation of a calibration curve that characterized the relationship between FerriScan-derived LIC and R2*. The nature and source of uncertainty in this curve were investigated. It was hypothesized that the source of uncertainty is heterogeneity of LIC across the liver. STUDY TYPE: Prospective. SUBJECTS: In all, 125 patients (69 women, 56 men) undergoing chelation treatment for iron overload prospectively underwent FerriScan and R2* MRI during the same exam. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: Pulse sequences included 2D multislice spin-echo pulse for FerriScan, and a prototype 3D 6-echo gradient echo acquisition for R2* mapping at 1.5T. ASSESSMENT: A linear calibration curve was derived from the relationship between FerriScan-derived LIC estimates and R2* through least-squares fitting. STATISTICAL TESTS: The nature of the uncertainty in the curve was characterized through tests of normality and homoscedasticity. The source of uncertainty was tested by comparing the magnitude of LIC variation over the FerriScan ROI to the observed uncertainty in the R2*-derived LIC estimates. RESULTS: A linear relationship between logarithmically transformed FerriScan-derived LIC and R2* (log{FerriScan-derived LIC} = 1.029 log{R2*} - 3.822) was confirmed. Uncertainty was random, with a behaviour that was normal and homoscedastic. The source of uncertainty was confirmed as iron heterogeneity across the liver. The nontransformed calibration curve was: FerriScan-derived LIC = 0.0266⋅R2*, with a constant coefficient-of-variation of 0.32. DATA CONCLUSION: FerriScan and R2* techniques were found to provide equivalent quantification of LIC in this study. Any difference in accuracy or precision was at a level lower than the uncertainty caused by variation in LIC over the liver. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:1467-1474.

Quantification of Myocardial Extracellular Volume Fraction with Cardiac MR Imaging in Thalassemia Major.

Purpose To quantify myocardial extracellular volume (ECV) by using cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in thalassemia major and to investigate the relationship between ECV and myocardial iron overload. Materials and Methods With institutional review board approval and informed consent, 30 patients with thalassemia major (mean age ± standard deviation, 34.6 years ± 9.5) and 10 healthy control subjects (mean age, 31.5 years ± 4.4) were prospectively recruited (clinicaltrials.gov identification number NCT02090699). Nineteen patients (63.3%) had prior myocardial iron overload (defined as midseptal T2* < 20 msec on any prior cardiac MR images). Cardiac MR imaging at 1.5 T included cine steady-state free precession for ventricular function, T2* for myocardial iron quantification, and unenhanced and contrast material-enhanced T1 mapping. ECV was calculated with input of the patient's hematocrit level. Peak systolic global longitudinal strain by means of speckle tracking was assessed with same-day transthoracic echocardiography. Statistical analysis included use of the two-sample t test, Fisher exact test, and Spearman correlation. Results Unenhanced T1 values were significantly lower in patients with prior myocardial iron overload than in control subjects (850.3 ± 115.1 vs 1006.3 ± 35.4, P < .001) and correlated strongly with T2* values (r = 0.874, P < .001). Patients with prior myocardial iron overload had higher ECV than did patients without iron overload (31.3% ± 2.8 vs 28.2% ± 3.4, P = .030) and healthy control subjects (27.0% ± 3.1, P = .003). There was no difference in ECV between patients without iron overload and control subjects (P = .647). ECV correlated with lowest historical T2* (r = -0.469, P = .010) but did not correlate significantly with left ventricular ejection fraction (r = -0.216, P = .252) or global longitudinal strain (r = -0.164, P = .423). Conclusion ECV is significantly increased in thalassemia major and is associated with myocardial iron overload. These abnormalities may potentially reflect diffuse interstitial myocardial fibrosis. (©) RSNA, 2015 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Inversion group (IG) fitting: A new T1 mapping method for modified look-locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) that allows arbitrary inversion groupings and rest periods (including no rest period).

PURPOSE: The Modified Look-Locker Inversion Recovery (MOLLI) technique is used for T1 mapping in the heart. However, a drawback of this technique is that it requires lengthy rest periods in between inversion groupings to allow for complete magnetization recovery. In this work, a new MOLLI fitting algorithm (inversion group [IG] fitting) is presented that allows for arbitrary combinations of inversion groupings and rest periods (including no rest period). THEORY AND METHODS: Conventional MOLLI algorithms use a three parameter fitting model. In IG fitting, the number of parameters is two plus the number of inversion groupings. This increased number of parameters permits any inversion grouping/rest period combination. Validation was performed through simulation, phantom, and in vivo experiments. RESULTS: IG fitting provided T1 values with less than 1% discrepancy across a range of inversion grouping/rest period combinations. By comparison, conventional three parameter fits exhibited up to 30% discrepancy for some combinations. The one drawback with IG fitting was a loss of precision-approximately 30% worse than the three parameter fits. CONCLUSION: IG fitting permits arbitrary inversion grouping/rest period combinations (including no rest period). The cost of the algorithm is a loss of precision relative to conventional three parameter fits. Magn Reson Med 75:2332-2340, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Mechatronic system for in-bore MRI-guided insertion of needles to the prostate: An in vivo needle guidance accuracy study.

BACKGROUND: To present our experiences in initial clinical evaluation of a novel mechatronic system for in-bore guidance of needles to the prostate for MRI-guided prostate interventions in 10 patients. We report accuracy of this device in the context of focal laser ablation therapy for localized prostate cancer. METHODS: An MRI-compatible needle guidance device was developed for transperineal prostate interventions. Ten patients underwent MRI-guided focal laser ablation therapy with device-mediated laser fiber delivery. We recorded needle guidance error and needle delivery time. RESULTS: A total of 37 needle insertions were evaluated. Median needle guidance error was 3.5 mm (interquartile range, 2.1-5.4 mm), and median needle delivery time was 9 min (interquartile range, 6.5-12 min). CONCLUSION: This system provides a reliable method of accurately aligning needle guides for in-bore transperineal needle delivery to the prostate.

Quantitative versus semiquantitative MR imaging of cartilage in blood-induced arthritic ankles: preliminary findings.

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in hemophilia prophylaxis have raised the need for accurate noninvasive methods for assessment of early cartilage damage in maturing joints to guide initiation of prophylaxis. Such methods can either be semiquantitative or quantitative. Whereas semiquantitative scores are less time-consuming to be performed than quantitative methods, they are prone to subjective interpretation. OBJECTIVE: To test the feasibility of a manual segmentation and a quantitative methodology for cross-sectional evaluation of articular cartilage status in growing ankles of children with blood-induced arthritis, as compared with a semiquantitative scoring system and clinical-radiographic constructs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve boys, 11 with hemophilia (A, n = 9; B, n = 2) and 1 with von Willebrand disease (median age: 13; range: 6-17), underwent physical examination and MRI at 1.5 T. Two radiologists semiquantitatively scored the MRIs for cartilage pathology (surface erosions, cartilage loss) with blinding to clinical information. An experienced operator applied a validated quantitative 3-D MRI method to determine the percentage area of denuded bone (dAB) and the cartilage thickness (ThCtAB) in the joints' MRIs. Quantitative and semiquantitative MRI methods and clinical-radiographic constructs (Hemophilia Joint Health Score [HJHS], Pettersson radiograph scores) were compared. RESULTS: Moderate correlations were noted between erosions and dAB (r = 0.62, P = 0.03) in the talus but not in the distal tibia (P > 0.05). Whereas substantial to high correlations (r range: 0.70-0.94, P < 0.05) were observed between erosions, cartilage loss, HJHS and Pettersson scores both at the distal tibia and talus levels, moderate/borderline substantial (r range: 0.55-0.61, P < 0.05) correlations were noted between dAB/ThCtAB and clinical-radiographic constructs. CONCLUSION: Whereas the semiquantitative method of assessing cartilage status is closely associated with clinical-radiographic scores in cross-sectional studies of blood-induced arthropathy, quantitative measures provide independent information and are therefore less applicable for that research design.

Optimizing contrast agent concentration and spoiled gradient echo pulse sequence parameters for catheter visualization in MR-guided interventional procedures: an analytic solution.

PURPOSE: A critical requirement of MR-guided interventions is the visualization of an instrument (e.g., catheter, needle) during the procedure. One approach is to fill the instrument with a contrast agent. Previously, the optimization of contrast agent visualization was performed only empirically. In the present study, an analytic optimization of contrast agent SNR efficiency was performed for a spoiled gradient echo pulse sequence. METHODS: Optimal flip angle, repetition time, echo time, and contrast agent concentration were derived analytically. The solution is valid for any contrast agent, provided the relationship between T1 , T2 , and doping concentration is known. RESULTS: Phantom experiments validated the analytic optimization for Gd- and MnCl2 -based contrast agents. Results showed excellent agreement between experimentally predicted and theoretically observed magnetization behavior. In vivo experiments demonstrated optimized contrast agent visualization in brain, heart, and prostate applications. The results demonstrated the large SNR that can be achieved with analytic optimization. As a practical guideline, an 11% dilution of 500 mMol/L Gd-DTPA solution, repetition time ≈ 4 ms, echo time ≈ 1 ms, and θ ≈ 65° was found to provide a large SNR. CONCLUSION: This study derived and validated a method for analytically optimizing contrast agent SNR efficiency. This information may be useful for visualizing instruments during MR-guided interventions.

T2 mapping magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage in hemophilia.

Background: In hemophilia, recurrent hemarthrosis may lead to irreversible arthropathy. T2 mapping MRI may reflect cartilage changes at an earlier reversible stage of arthropathy as opposed to structural MRI. Objectives: To evaluate interval changes of T2 mapping compared with the International Prophylaxis Study Group (IPSG) structural MRI scores of ankle cartilage in boys with hemophilia receiving prophylaxis. Methods: Eight boys with hemophilia A (median age, 13; range, 9-17 years), 7 age- and sex-matched healthy boys (controls, median age, 15; range, 7-16 years). A multiecho spin-echo T2-weighted MRI sequence at 3.0T was used to obtain T2 maps of cartilage of boys with hemophilia and controls. Structural joint status was evaluated using the IPSG MRI score. Results: T2 relaxation times of ankle cartilage increased significantly over time in both persons with hemophilia and controls (P = .002 and P = .00009, respectively). Changes in T2 relaxation time strongly correlated with changes in IPSG cartilage scores (rs = 0.93 to rs = 0.78 [P = .0007 to P = .023]), but not with changes in age (P = .304 to P = .840). Responsiveness of T2 relaxation times were higher than that of IPSG cartilage scores, with standardized response means >1.4 for T2 mapping in all regions-of-interest compared with 0.84 for IPSG cartilage scores. Baseline T2 relaxation time strongly correlated with timepoint 2 IPSG cartilage score (rs = 0.93 to rs = 0.82 [P = .001 to P = .012]) and T2 relaxation time (rs = 0.98 to rs = 0.88 [P = .00003 to P = .004]) changes in most regions-of-interest. Conclusion: T2 mapping shows sensitivity to biochemical changes in cartilage prior to detectable damage using conventional MRI, offering potential for early detection of bleed-related cartilage damage in boys with hemophilia.

Comprehensive Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Tissue Characterization and Cardiotoxicity in Women With Breast Cancer.

Importance: There is a growing interest in understanding whether cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) myocardial tissue characterization helps identify risk of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). Objective: To describe changes in CMR tissue biomarkers during breast cancer therapy and their association with CTRCD. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a prospective, multicenter, cohort study of women with ERBB2 (formerly HER2)-positive breast cancer (stages I-III) who were scheduled to receive anthracycline and trastuzumab therapy with/without adjuvant radiotherapy and surgery. From November 7, 2013, to January 16, 2019, participants were recruited from 3 University of Toronto-affiliated hospitals. Data were analyzed from July 2021 to June 2022. Exposures: Sequential therapy with anthracyclines, trastuzumab, and radiation. Main Outcomes and Measures: CMR, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI), and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) measurements were performed before anthracycline treatment, after anthracycline and before trastuzumab treatment, and at 3-month intervals during trastuzumab therapy. CMR included left ventricular (LV) volumes, LV ejection fraction (EF), myocardial strain, early gadolinium enhancement imaging to assess hyperemia (inflammation marker), native/postcontrast T1 mapping (with extracellular volume fraction [ECV]) to assess edema and/or fibrosis, T2 mapping to assess edema, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) to assess replacement fibrosis. CTRCD was defined using the Cardiac Review and Evaluation Committee criteria. Fixed-effects models or generalized estimating equations were used in analyses. Results: Of 136 women (mean [SD] age, 51.1 [9.2] years) recruited from 2013 to 2019, 37 (27%) developed CTRCD. Compared with baseline, tissue biomarkers of myocardial hyperemia and edema peaked after anthracycline therapy or 3 months after trastuzumab initiation as demonstrated by an increase in mean (SD) relative myocardial enhancement (baseline, 46.3% [16.8%] to peak, 56.2% [18.6%]), native T1 (1012 [26] milliseconds to 1035 [28] milliseconds), T2 (51.4 [2.2] milliseconds to 52.6 [2.2] milliseconds), and ECV (25.2% [2.4%] to 26.8% [2.7%]), with P <.001 for the entire follow-up. The observed values were mostly within the normal range, and the changes were small and recovered during follow-up. No new replacement fibrosis developed. Increase in T1, T2, and/or ECV was associated with increased ventricular volumes and BNP but not hs-cTnI level. None of the CMR tissue biomarkers were associated with changes in LVEF or myocardial strain. Change in ECV was associated with concurrent and subsequent CTRCD, but there was significant overlap between patients with and without CTRCD. Conclusions and Relevance: In women with ERBB2-positive breast cancer receiving sequential anthracycline and trastuzumab therapy, CMR tissue biomarkers suggest inflammation and edema peaking early during therapy and were associated with ventricular remodeling and BNP elevation. However, the increases in CMR biomarkers were transient, were not associated with LVEF or myocardial strain, and were not useful in identifying traditional CTRCD risk.

Diffusion tensor imaging of the median nerve: intra-, inter-reader agreement, and agreement between two software packages.

OBJECTIVE: To assess intra-, inter-reader agreement, and the agreement between two software packages for magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measurements of the median nerve. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen healthy volunteers (seven men, eight women; mean age, 31.2 years) underwent DTI of both wrists at 1.5 T. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the median nerve were measured by three readers using two commonly used software packages. Measurements were repeated by two readers after 6 weeks. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: ICCs for intra-reader agreement ranged from 0.87 to 0.99, for inter-reader agreement from 0.62 to 0.83, and between the two software packages from 0.63 to 0.82. Bland-Altman analysis showed no differences for intra- and inter-reader agreement and agreement between software packages. CONCLUSION: The intra-, inter-reader, and agreement between software packages for DTI measurements of the median nerve were moderate to substantial suggesting that user- and software-dependent factors contribute little to variance in DTI measurements.

Feasibility study of simultaneous physical examination and dynamic MR imaging of medial collateral ligament knee injuries in a 1.5-T large-bore magnet.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of evaluating medial knee joint laxity with dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and simultaneous physical joint examination in a large-bore 1.5-T system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 10 patients (5 women, 5 men; mean age 35 years) with clinically diagnosed and categorized acute injuries of the medial collateral ligament (MCL). Intermittent valgus stress was applied separately to both the affected and the contralateral knee joint during dynamic MR imaging with a two-dimensional fast low-angle shot sequence. The width of the medial joint space and the opening angle between the femoral condyles and the tibial plateau were measured. Results obtained from dynamic MR imaging of the affected knee were compared with morphological MCL changes on static MRI, to kinematics of the contralateral side and to the clinical grading of MCL injuries. RESULTS: On clinical examination, all patients had grade 2 MCL injuries except one, who had a grade 1 lesion. Using morphological MRI criteria, 9 grade II and 1 grade III injuries were seen. Mean medial joint space width and opening angles of all affected knees were 2.8 mm and 2.7° respectively, compared with 1.7 mm and 2.1° on the contralateral side. The Wilcoxon signed rank test indicated that the differences in width (P = 0.005) and opening angle (P = 0.037) between the affected and contralateral knees were significant. CONCLUSION: Dynamic MR imaging and simultaneous physical joint examination is feasible. Our results suggest that this technique might enable the imaging documentation of medial ligamentous knee instability.

Synthetic-echo time postprocessing technique for generating images with variable T2-weighted contrast: diagnosis of meniscal and cartilage abnormalities of the knee.

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility and accuracy of a synthetic-echo time (TE) magnetic resonance (MR) postprocessing technique for the diagnostic evaluation of abnormalities of menisci and articular cartilage in the knee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was approved by the institutional review board. Twenty-four patients (three women, 21 men; mean age, 44.8 years) gave informed written consent to prospectively undergo evaluation of their knees (10 left and 14 right knees) with standard sagittal intermediate-weighted (repetition time msec/TE msec, 2200/17) and fat-saturated T2-weighted (3600/88) fast spin-echo sequences. In addition, sagittal multiecho fast gradient-echo sequences were performed for the generation of synthetic-TE images with variable T2- or T2(*)-weighted contrast by using a newly developed synthetic-TE analysis tool that was incorporated directly into the picture archiving and communication system. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values for detection of lesions in menisci and articular cartilage were calculated by using findings at surgery as reference standard. RESULTS: The standard intermediate-weighted and fat-suppressed T2-weighted MR sequences had overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values of 100% and 100%, 88% and 93%, and 95% and 95% for the diagnosis of tears of medial and lateral menisci, respectively, as well as sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values of 82%, 97%, and 95%, respectively, for articular cartilage defects. Corresponding sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values for multiecho MR imaging with synthetic-TE MR image generation were 92% and 100%, 88% and 87%, and 90% and 90% for the diagnosis of tears of medial and lateral menisci, respectively, as well as sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy values of 70%, 99%, and 95%, respectively, for articular cartilage defects. CONCLUSION: For the evaluation of menisci and articular cartilage, images generated with the synthetic-TE technique are a potentially viable alternative to standard T2-weighted images obtained at different TEs. Furthermore, the synthetic-TE approach allowed assessment of abnormalities of menisci and articular cartilage with high sensitivity and specificity.

A technique for rapid single-echo spin-echo T2 mapping.

A rapid technique for mapping of T(2) relaxation times is presented. The method is based on the conventional single-echo spin echo approach but uses a much shorter pulse repetition time to accelerate data acquisition. The premise of the new method is the use of a constant difference between the echo time and pulse repetition time, which removes the conventional and restrictive requirement of pulse repetition time >> T(1). Theoretical and simulation investigations were performed to evaluate the criteria for accurate T(2) measurements. Measured T(2)s were shown to be within 1% error as long as the key criterion of pulse repetition time/T(2) > or =3 is met. Strictly, a second condition of echo time/T(1) << 1 is also required. However, violations of this condition were found to have minimal impact in most clinical scenarios. Validation was conducted in phantoms and in vivo T(2) mapping of healthy cartilage and brain. The proposed method offers all the advantages of single-echo spin echo imaging (e.g., immunity to stimulated echo effects, robustness to static field inhomogeneity, flexibility in the number and choice of echo times) in a considerably reduced amount of time and is readily implemented on any clinical scanner.

Construction and evaluation of an anatomically correct multi-image modality compatible phantom for prostate cancer focal ablation.

PURPOSE: Focal therapy using lasers is emerging as an alternative strategy for prostate cancer treatment. However, to our knowledge no anatomically correct models are available to test imaging and ablation techniques. Animal models present ethical, anatomical and cost challenges. We designed and validated an inexpensive but anatomically correct prostate phantom incorporating tumor, rectum and urethra that can be used for simulated and experimental magnetic resonance guided focal intervention. Our secondary aim was to asses the phantom using other imaging modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The phantom, which was constructed of ballistic gel, includes an 80 gm prostate with urethra, tumor, perineum and rectum. Gadolinium was added to make the gel visible to magnetic resonance imaging. To recreate a tumor an irregularly shaped 5 cc volume of coagulable gel was inserted into the prostate phantom. The phantom was evaluated using magnetic resonance, computerized tomography and transrectal ultrasound. Thermal ablation was delivered via interstitial placement of laser fibers. Magnetic resonance thermometry was done to record real-time tissue temperatures during thermal ablation. RESULTS: With all modalities tested the phantom emulated human prostate anatomy. The coagulable gel tumor allowed us to generate focal thermal lesions. The phantom had magnetic resonance imaging properties comparable to in vivo properties, allowing ablative zones to be accurately assessed and magnetic resonance thermometry to be done. CONCLUSIONS: The phantom is a useful tool to test different aspects of thermal focal ablation for prostate cancer using multiple imaging modalities, particularly magnetic resonance. It is inexpensive and easily constructed, and may be considered a valuable model to train on and teach focal therapy.

Impact of motion on T1 mapping acquired with inversion recovery fast spin echo and rapid spoiled gradient recalled-echo pulse sequences for delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC) in volunteers.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of motion on T1 values acquired by using either inversion-recovery fast spin echo (IR-FSE) or three-dimensional (3D) spoiled gradient recalled-echo (SPGR) sequences for delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage (dGEMRIC) in volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single-slice IR-FSE and 3D SPGR sequences were applied to perform dGEMRIC in five healthy volunteers. A mutual information-based approach was used to correct for image misregistration. Displacements were expressed as averaged Euclidean distances and angles. Averages of differences in goodness of fit (Deltachi(2)) tests and averages of relative differences in T1 values (DeltaT1) before and after motion correction were computed. RESULTS: Maximum Euclidean distance was 3.5 mm and 1.2 mm for IR-FSE and SPGR respectively. Mean +/- SD of Deltachi(2) were 10.18 +/- 8.4 for IR-FSE and -1.37 +/- 5.5 for SPGR. Mean +/- SD of DeltaT1 were 0.008 +/- 0.0048 for IR-FSE and -0.002 +/- 0.019 for FSPGR. Pairwise comparison of Deltachi(2) values showed a significant difference for IR-FSE, but not for 3D-SPGR. Significantly greater variability in T1 values was also noted for IR-FSE than for 3D-SPGR. CONCLUSION: Involuntary motion has a significant influence on T1 values acquired with IR-FSE, but not with 3D-SPGR in healthy volunteers.

Evaluation of diffusion tensor imaging and fiber tractography of the median nerve: preliminary results on intrasubject variability and precision of measurements.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to determine the intrasubject side-to-side variability of quantitative and qualitative measures of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and fiber tractography of the median nerves and to determine the precision of quantitative measurements and fiber tractography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifteen healthy volunteers (seven men, eight women; mean age, 31.2 years) underwent DTI of both wrists with a single-shot spin-echo-based echo-planar imaging sequence (TR/TE, 7,000/103; b value 1,025 s/mm2). Postprocessing included fiber tractography and quantitative analysis of fiber length, fiber density index, fractional anisotropy, apparent diffusion coefficient, and signal-to-noise ratio. Two readers in consensus graded the quality of fiber tract images of the two wrists as equal, slightly different, or very different. Fiber tractography and all analyses were repeated after 3 weeks, and the images from the two sessions were compared. RESULTS: No statistically significant side-to-side differences in quantitative data were found (p=0.054-0.999). In all subjects, the quality of fiber tract images of the right and left median nerves was either slightly or very different. Between the initial and the second quantitative analyses, no statistically significant differences (p=0.086-0.898) were found, and the quality of fiber tract images was rated equal for nine of 15 subjects (60%) and slightly different for six of 15 subjects (40%). CONCLUSION: Preliminary results indicate that quantitative evaluation of DTI of the median nerve is precise. The absence of statistically significant intrasubject side-to-side variability in quantitative data suggests that the healthy contralateral nerve can be used as an internal control. Observed side-to-side variability in the quality of fiber tract images, however, rules out side-to-side comparisons in fiber tractography.