Design of k-space channel combination kernels and integration with parallel imaging.

PURPOSE: In this work, a new method is described for producing local k-space channel combination kernels using a small amount of low-resolution multichannel calibration data. Additionally, this work describes how these channel combination kernels can be combined with local k-space unaliasing kernels produced by the calibration phase of parallel imaging methods such as GRAPPA, PARS and ARC. METHODS: Experiments were conducted to evaluate both the image quality and computational efficiency of the proposed method compared to a channel-by-channel parallel imaging approach with image-space sum-of-squares channel combination. RESULTS: Results indicate comparable image quality overall, with some very minor differences seen in reduced field-of-view imaging. It was demonstrated that this method enables a speed up in computation time on the order of 3-16X for 32-channel data sets. CONCLUSION: The proposed method enables high quality channel combination to occur earlier in the reconstruction pipeline, reducing computational and memory requirements for image reconstruction.

Application of direct virtual coil to dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and MR angiography with data-driven parallel imaging.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the feasibility of direct virtual coil (DVC) in the setting of 4D dynamic imaging used in multiple clinical applications. THEORY AND METHODS: Three dynamic imaging applications were chosen: pulmonary perfusion, liver perfusion, and peripheral MR angiography (MRA), with 18, 11, and 10 subjects, respectively. After view-sharing, the k-space data were reconstructed twice: once with channel-by-channel (CBC) followed by sum-of-squares coil combination and once with DVC. Images reconstructed using CBC and DVC were compared and scored based on overall image quality by two experienced radiologists using a five-point scale. RESULTS: The CBC and DVC showed similar image quality in image domain. Time course measurements also showed good agreement in the temporal domain. CBC and DVC images were scored as equivalent for all pulmonary perfusion cases, all liver perfusion cases, and four of the 10 peripheral MRA cases. For the remaining six peripheral MRA cases, DVC were scored as slightly better (not clinically significant) than the CBC images by Radiologist A and as equivalent by Radiologist B. CONCLUSION: For dynamic contrast-enhanced MR applications, it is clinically feasible to reduce image reconstruction time while maintaining image quality and time course measurement using the DVC technique.

Optimizing isotropic three-dimensional fast spin-echo methods for imaging the knee.

PURPOSE: To optimize acquisition parameters for three dimensional fast spin-echo (3D FSE) imaging of the knee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The knees of eight healthy volunteers were imaged in a 3 Tesla MRI scanner using an eight-channel knee coil. A total of 146 intermediate weighted isotropic resolution 3D FSE (3D-FSE-Cube)images with varied acquisition parameter settings were acquired with an additional reference scan performed for subjective image quality assessment. Images were graded for overall quality, parallel imaging artifact severity and blurring. Cartilage, muscle, and fluid signal-to-noise ratios and fluid-cartilage contrast-to-noise ratios were quantified by acquiring scans without radio frequency excitation and custom-reconstructing the k-space data.Mixed effects regression modeling was used to determine statistically significant effects of different parameters on image quality. RESULTS: Changes in receiver bandwidth, repetition time and echo train length significantly affected all measurements of image quality (P < 0.05). Reducing band width improved all metrics of image quality with the exception of blurring. Reader agreement was slight to fair for subjective metrics, but overall trends in quality ratings were apparent. CONCLUSION: We used a systematic approach to optimize 3D-FSE-Cube parameters for knee imaging. Image quality was overall improved using a receiver bandwidth of 631.25 kHz, and blurring increased with lower band width and longer echo trains.

Parallel and partial Fourier imaging with prospective motion correction.

Subject motion during scan is a major source of artifacts in MR examinations. Prospective motion correction is a promising technique that tracks subject motion and adjusts the imaging volume in real time; however, additional retrospective correction may be necessary to achieve robust image quality and compatibility with other imaging options. Real-time realignment of the imaging volume by prospective motion correction changes the coil sensitivity weighting and the field inhomogeneity relative to the imaging volume. This can pose image reconstruction problems with parallel imaging and partial Fourier imaging, which rely on coil sensitivity and image phase information, respectively. This work presents a practical method for reconstructing images acquired using prospective motion correction with parallel imaging and/or partial Fourier imaging. Our proposed approach is data driven and noniterative; data are binned into several position bins based on motion measurements made during the prospective motion correction acquisition and the data in each bin are processed through intrabin operations such as parallel imaging reconstruction (in case of undersampling), phase correction, and coil combination before combination of the position bins. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our technique through simulation studies and in vivo experiments using a prospectively motion-corrected three-dimensional fast spin echo sequence.

Improved motion correction capabilities for fast spin echo T1 FLAIR propeller using non-cartesian external calibration data driven parallel imaging.

Patient motion is a common challenge in the clinical setting and fast spin echo longitudinal relaxation time fluid attenuating inversion recovery imaging method with motion correction would be highly desirable. The motion correction provided by transverse relaxation time- and diffusion-weighted periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction methods has seen significant clinical adoption. However, periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction with fast spin echo longitudinal relaxation time fluid attenuating inversion recovery-weighting has proved challenging since motion correction requires wide blades that are difficult to acquire while also maintaining short echo train lengths that are optimal for longitudinal relaxation time fluid attenuating inversion recovery-weighting. Parallel imaging provides an opportunity to increase the effective blade width for a given echo train lengths. Coil-by-coil data-driven autocalibrated parallel imaging methods provide greater robustness in the event of motion compared to techniques relying on accurate coil sensitivity maps. However, conventional internally calibrated data-driven parallel imaging methods limit the effective acceleration possible for each blade. We present a method to share a single calibration dataset over all imaging blades on a slice by slice basis using the APPEAR non-cartesian parallel imaging method providing an effective blade width increase of 2.45×, enabling robust motion correction. Results comparing the proposed technique to conventional cartesian and periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction methods demonstrate a significant improvement during subject motion and maintaining high image quality when no motion is present in normal and clinical volunteers.

Interleaved variable density sampling with a constrained parallel imaging reconstruction for dynamic contrast-enhanced MR angiography.

For MR applications such as contrast-enhanced MR angiography, it is desirable to achieve simultaneously high spatial and temporal resolution. The current clinical standard uses view-sharing methods combined with parallel imaging; however, this approach still provides limited spatial and temporal resolution. To improve on the clinical standard, we present an interleaved variable density (IVD) sampling method that pseudorandomly undersamples each individual frame of a 3D Cartesian ky-kz plane combined with parallel imaging acceleration. From this dataset, time-resolved images are reconstructed with a method that combines parallel imaging with a multiplicative constraint. Total acceleration factors on the order of 20 are achieved for contrast-enhanced MR angiography of the lower extremities, and improvements in temporal fidelity of the depiction of the contrast bolus passage are demonstrated relative to the clinical standard.

Independent slab-phase modulation combined with parallel imaging in bilateral breast MRI.

Independent slab-phase modulation allows three-dimensional imaging of multiple volumes without encoding the space between volumes, thus reducing scan time. Parallel imaging further accelerates data acquisition by exploiting coil sensitivity differences between volumes. This work compared bilateral breast image quality from self-calibrated parallel imaging reconstruction methods such as modified sensitivity encoding, generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisitions and autocalibrated reconstruction for Cartesian sampling (ARC) for data with and without slab-phase modulation. A study showed an improvement of image quality by incorporating slab-phase modulation. Geometry factors measured from phantom images were more homogenous and lower on average when slab-phase modulation was used for both mSENSE and GRAPPA reconstructions. The resulting improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was validated for in vivo images as well using ARC instead of GRAPPA, illustrating average SNR efficiency increases in mSENSE by 5% and ARC by 8% based on region of interest analysis. Furthermore, aliasing artifacts from mSENSE reconstruction were reduced when slab-phase modulation was used. Overall, slab-phase modulation with parallel imaging improved image quality and efficiency for 3D bilateral breast imaging.

Increased volume of coverage for abdominal contrast-enhanced MR angiography with two-dimensional autocalibrating parallel imaging: initial experience at 3.0 Tesla.

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility and the quality of abdominal three-dimensional (3D) contrast enhanced MR angiograms acquired at 3.0 Tesla (T) using a new 2D-accelerated autocalibrating parallel reconstruction method for Cartesian sampling (2D-ARC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: With institutional review board approval and written informed consent, a prospective trial in 6 normal healthy volunteers and 23 patients referred for evaluation of suspected renovascular disease was performed. The volunteers underwent abdominal MRA with and without 2D-ARC acceleration. Images were evaluated independently by two blinded vascular radiologists in randomized order. Vessel conspicuity was rated on a five-point scale. Evaluation for significant differences between the scores for each technique was performed using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: In the series of six volunteers, no statistical significance was found between the image quality scores for 2D-ARC accelerated and nonaccelerated exams. A high proportion of the 23 clinical 2D-ARC exams were graded as diagnostic (vessel conspicuity score >or=2; Reader 1, 96%; Reader 2, 100%) for overall image quality. CONCLUSION: Subjective image quality of 2D-ARC accelerated MRA was equivalent to the conventional MRA method. However, the 2D-ARC accelerated sequence provided a 3.5-fold increase in imaging volume, complete abdominal coverage, and a 30% reduction in voxel volume, all within the same acquisition time.

Ankle: isotropic MR imaging with 3D-FSE-cube--initial experience in healthy volunteers.

The purpose of this prospective study was to compare a new isotropic three-dimensional (3D) fast spin-echo (FSE) pulse sequence with parallel imaging and extended echo train acquisition (3D-FSE-Cube) with a conventional two-dimensional (2D) FSE sequence for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the ankle. After institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained and in accordance with HIPAA privacy guidelines, MR imaging was performed in the ankles of 10 healthy volunteers (four men, six women; age range, 25-41 years). Imaging with the 3D-FSE-Cube sequence was performed at 3.0 T by using both one-dimensional- and 2D-accelerated autocalibrated parallel imaging to decrease imaging time. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) with 3D-FSE-Cube were compared with those of the standard 2D FSE sequence. Cartilage, muscle, and fluid SNRs were significantly higher with the 3D-FSE-Cube sequence (P < .01 for all). Fluid-cartilage CNR was similar for both techniques. The two sequences were also compared for overall image quality, blurring, and artifacts. No significant difference for overall image quality and artifacts was demonstrated between the 2D FSE and 3D-FSE-Cube sequences, although the section thickness in 3D-FSE-Cube imaging was much thinner (0.6 mm). However, blurring was significantly greater on the 3D-FSE-Cube images (P < .04). The 3D-FSE-Cube sequence with isotropic resolution is a promising new MR imaging sequence for viewing complex joint anatomy.

Small (<2-cm) upper-tract urothelial carcinoma: evaluation with gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional spoiled gradient-recalled echo MR urography.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the detection of small (<2-cm) urothelial tumors by using gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional (3D) spoiled gradient-recalled echo (GRE) magnetic resonance (MR) urography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This HIPAA-compliant study received institutional review board approval. All patients included had previously consented to the use of their medical records for research purposes. Eleven of 110 patients (10 men, one woman; mean age, 73.5 years) who underwent MR urography were ultimately identified to have 23 upper-tract urothelial carcinomas smaller than 2 cm or carcinoma in situ. Breath-hold coronal T2-weighted single-shot fast spin-echo and breath-hold coronal 3D T1-weighted spoiled GRE images with fat suppression during nephrographic and excretory phases after intravenous injection of gadolinium-based contrast material were obtained in all patients with a 1.5-T imager. Two radiologists reviewed the MR images in consensus for the presence of tumors. Lesion detectability was compared between each sequence by using the McNemar test. RESULTS: Of 23 tumors, 17 (74%) were detected by using at least one sequence, eight (35%) were detected with T2-weighted imaging, 15 (65%) were detected on nephrographic phase images, and 15 (65%) were detected on excretory phase images. Two lesions each were detected only on either nephrographic or excretory phase images. Detectability was significantly higher on nephrographic and excretory phase images compared with T2-weighted images (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Gadolinium-enhanced 3D spoiled GRE MR urography helped detect 74% of small urothelial carcinomas. Nephrographic and excretory phase images are essential for helping detect small urothelial carcinomas.

Isotropic MRI of the knee with 3D fast spin-echo extended echo-train acquisition (XETA): initial experience.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to prospectively compare a recently developed method of isotropic 3D fast spin-echo (FSE) with extended echo-train acquisition (XETA) with 2D FSE and 2D fast recovery FSE (FRFSE) for MRI of the knee. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval, Health Insurance Portability and Accounting Act (HIPAA) compliance, and informed consent were obtained. We studied 10 healthy volunteers and one volunteer with knee pain using 3D FSE XETA, 2D FSE, and 2D FRFSE. Images were obtained both with and without fat suppression. Cartilage and muscle signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and cartilage-fluid contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were compared using a Student's t test. We also compared reformations of 3D FSE XETA with 2D FSE images directly acquired in the axial plane. RESULTS: Cartilage SNR was higher with 3D FSE XETA (56.8 +/- 9 [SD]) compared with the 2D FSE (45.8 +/- 8, p < 0.01) and 2D FRFSE (32.5 +/- 5.3, p < 0.01). Muscle SNR was significantly higher with 3D FSE XETA (52.1 +/- 4.3) than 2D FSE (45.2 +/- 9, p < 0.01) and 2D FRFSE (23.6 +/- 6.2, p < 0.01). Fluid SNR was significantly higher for 2D FSE (144.9 +/- 33) than 3D FSE XETA (104.7 +/- 18, p < 0.01). Compared with 2D FSE and 2D FRFSE, 3D FSE XETA had lower cartilage-fluid CNR due to higher cartilage SNR (p < 0.01). Three-dimensional FSE XETA acquired volumetric data sets with isotropic resolution. Reformatted images in the axial plane were similar to axial 2D FSE acquisitions but with thinner slices. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional FSE XETA acquires high-resolution (approximately 0.7 mm) isotropic data with intermediate and T2-weighting that may be reformatted in arbitrary planes. Three-dimensional FSE XETA is a promising technique for MRI of the knee.

Rapid gridding reconstruction with a minimal oversampling ratio.

Reconstruction of magnetic resonance images from data not falling on a Cartesian grid is a Fourier inversion problem typically solved using convolution interpolation, also known as gridding. Gridding is simple and robust and has parameters, the grid oversampling ratio and the kernel width, that can be used to trade accuracy for computational memory and time reductions. We have found that significant reductions in computation memory and time can be obtained while maintaining high accuracy by using a minimal oversampling ratio, from 1.125 to 1.375, instead of the typically employed grid oversampling ratio of two. When using a minimal oversampling ratio, appropriate design of the convolution kernel is important for maintaining high accuracy. We derive a simple equation for choosing the optimal Kaiser-Bessel convolution kernel for a given oversampling ratio and kernel width. As well, we evaluate the effect of presampling the kernel, a common technique used to reduce the computation time, and find that using linear interpolation between samples adds negligible error with far less samples than is necessary with nearest-neighbor interpolation. We also develop a new method for choosing the optimal presampled kernel. Using a minimal oversampling ratio and presampled kernel, we are able to perform a three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction in one-eighth the time and requiring one-third the computer memory versus using an oversampling ratio of two and a Kaiser-Bessel convolution kernel, while maintaining the same level of accuracy.

Comparison of reconstruction accuracy and efficiency among autocalibrating data-driven parallel imaging methods.

The class of autocalibrating "data-driven" parallel imaging (PI) methods has gained attention in recent years due to its ability to achieve high quality reconstructions even under challenging imaging conditions. The aim of this work was to perform a formal comparative study of various data-driven reconstruction techniques to evaluate their relative merits for certain imaging applications. A total of five different reconstruction methods are presented within a consistent theoretical framework and experimentally compared in terms of the specific measures of reconstruction accuracy and efficiency using one-dimensional (1D)-accelerated Cartesian datasets. It is shown that by treating the reconstruction process as two discrete phases, a calibration phase and a synthesis phase, the reconstruction pathway can be tailored to exploit the computational advantages available in certain data domains. A new "split-domain" reconstruction method is presented that performs the calibration phase in k-space (k(x), k(y)) and the synthesis phase in a hybrid (x, k(y)) space, enabling highly accurate 2D neighborhood reconstructions to be performed more efficiently than previously possible with conventional techniques. This analysis may help guide the selection of PI methods for a given imaging task to achieve high reconstruction accuracy at minimal computational expense.

Multiecho reconstruction for simultaneous water-fat decomposition and T2* estimation.

PURPOSE: To describe and demonstrate the feasibility of a novel multiecho reconstruction technique that achieves simultaneous water-fat decomposition and T2* estimation. The method removes interference of water-fat separation with iron-induced T2* effects and therefore has potential for the simultaneous characterization of hepatic steatosis (fatty infiltration) and iron overload. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The algorithm called "T2*-IDEAL" is based on the IDEAL water-fat decomposition method. A novel "complex field map" construct is used to estimate both R2* (1/T2*) and local B(0) field inhomogeneities using an iterative least-squares estimation method. Water and fat are then decomposed from source images that are corrected for both T2* and B(0) field inhomogeneity. RESULTS: It was found that a six-echo multiecho acquisition using the shortest possible echo times achieves an excellent balance of short scan and reliable R2* measurement. Phantom experiments demonstrate the feasibility with high accuracy in R2* measurement. Promising preliminary in vivo results are also shown. CONCLUSION: The T2*-IDEAL technique has potential applications in imaging of diffuse liver disease for evaluation of both hepatic steatosis and iron overload in a single breath-hold.