RF shimming in the cervical spinal cord at 7 T.

PURPOSE: Advancing the development of 7 T MRI for spinal cord imaging is crucial for the enhanced diagnosis and monitoring of various neurodegenerative diseases and traumas. However, a significant challenge at this field strength is the transmit field inhomogeneity. Such inhomogeneity is particularly problematic for imaging the small, deep anatomical structures of the cervical spinal cord, as it can cause uneven signal intensity and elevate the local specific absorption ratio, compromising image quality. This multisite study explores several RF shimming techniques in the cervical spinal cord. METHODS: Data were collected from 5 participants between two 7 T sites with a custom 8Tx/20Rx parallel transmission coil. We explored two radiofrequency (RF) shimming approaches from an MRI vendor and four from an open-source toolbox, showcasing their ability to enhance transmit field and signal homogeneity along the cervical spinal cord. RESULTS: The circularly polarized (CP), coefficient of variation (CoV), and specific absorption rate (SAR) efficiency shim modes showed the highest B1 + efficiency, and the vendor-based "patient" and "volume" modes showed the lowest B1 + efficiency. The coefficient of variation method produced the highest CSF/spinal cord contrast on T2*-weighted scans (ratio of 1.27 ± 0.03), and the lowest variation of that contrast along the superior-inferior axis. CONCLUSION: The study's findings highlight the potential of RF shimming to advance 7 T MRI's clinical utility for central nervous system imaging by enabling more homogenous and efficient spinal cord imaging. Additionally, the research incorporates a reproducible Jupyter Notebook, enhancing the study's transparency and facilitating peer verification.

A birdcage transmit, 24-channel conformal receive array coil for sensitive 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging of the human brain at 7 T.

Phosphorus (31P) magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) can serve as a critical tool for more direct quantification of brain energy metabolism, tissue pH, and cell membrane turnover. However, the low concentration of 31P metabolites in biological tissue may result in low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in 31P MRS images. In this work, we present an innovative design and construction of a 31P radiofrequency coil for whole-brain MRSI at 7 T. Our coil builds on current literature in ultra-high field 31P coil design and offers complete coverage of the brain, including the cerebellum and brainstem. The coil consists of an actively detunable volume transmit (Tx) resonator and a custom 24-channel receive (Rx) array. The volume Tx resonator is a 16-rung high-pass birdcage coil. The Rx coil consists of a 24-element phased array composed of catered loop shapes and sizes built onto a custom, close-fitting, head-shaped housing. The Rx array was designed to provide complete coverage of the head, while minimizing mutual coupling. The Rx configuration had a mean S 11 $$ {S}_{11} $$ reflection coefficient better than -20 decibels (dB) when the coil was loaded with a human head. The mean mutual coupling ( S 21 $$ {S}_{21} $$ ) among Rx elements, when loaded with a human head, was -16 dB. In phantom imaging, the phased array produced a central SNR that was 4.4-fold higher than the corresponding central SNR when operating the 31P birdcage as a transceiver. The peripheral SNR was 12-fold higher when applying the optimized phased array. In vivo 3D 31P MRSI experiments produced high-quality spectra in the cerebrum gray and white matter, as well as in the cerebellum. Characteristic phosphorus metabolites related to adenosine triphosphate metabolism and cell membrane turnover were distinguishable across all brain regions. In summary, our results demonstrate the potential of our novel coil for accurate, whole-brain 31P metabolite quantification.

Inter- and intravisit repeatability of free-breathing MRI in pediatric cystic fibrosis lung disease.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the intra- and interscan repeatability of free-breathing phase-resolved functional lung (PREFUL) MRI in stable pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease in comparison to static breath-hold hyperpolarized 129-xenon MRI (Xe-MRI) and pulmonary function tests. METHODS: Free-breathing 1-hydrogen MRI and Xe-MRI were acquired from 15 stable pediatric CF patients and seven healthy age-matched participants on two visits, 1 month apart. Same-visit MRI scans were also performed on a subgroup of the CF patients. Following the PREFUL algorithm, regional ventilation (RVent) and regional flow volume loop cross-correlation maps were determined from the free-breathing data. Ventilation defect percentage (VDP) was determined from RVent maps (VDPRVent ), regional flow volume loop cross-correlation maps (VDPCC ), VDPRVent ∪ VDPCC , and multi-slice Xe-MRI. Repeatability was evaluated using Bland-Altman analysis, coefficient of repeatability (CR), and intraclass correlation. RESULTS: Minimal bias and no significant differences were reported for all PREFUL MRI and Xe-MRI VDP parameters between intra- and intervisits (all P > 0.05). Repeatability of VDPRVent , VDPCC , VDPRVent ∪ VDPCC , and multi-slice Xe-MRI were lower between the two-visit scans (CR = 14.81%, 15.36%, 16.19%, and 9.32%, respectively) in comparison to the same-day scans (CR = 3.38%, 2.90%, 1.90%, and 3.92%, respectively). pulmonary function tests showed high interscan repeatability relative to PREFUL MRI and Xe-MRI. CONCLUSION: PREFUL MRI, similar to Xe-MRI, showed high intravisit repeatability but moderate intervisit repeatability in CF, which may be due to inherent disease instability, even in stable patients. Thus, PREFUL MRI may be considered a suitable outcome measure for future treatment response studies.

Clinical Feasibility of Structural and Functional MRI in Free-Breathing Neonates and Infants.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of structural lung abnormalities with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has previously been shown to be predictive of clinical neonatal outcomes in preterm birth. MRI during free-breathing with phase-resolved functional lung (PREFUL) may allow for complimentary functional information without exogenous contrast. PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility of structural and functional pulmonary MRI in a cohort of neonates and infants with no cardiorespiratory disease. Macrovascular pulmonary blood flows were also evaluated. STUDY TYPE: Prospective. POPULATION: Ten term infants with no clinically defined cardiorespiratory disease were imaged. Infants recruited from the general population and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were studied. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: T1 -weighted VIBE, T2 -weighted BLADE uncorrected for motion. Ultrashort echo time (UTE) and 3D-flow data were acquired during free-breathing with self-navigation and retrospective reconstruction. Single slice 2D-gradient echo (GRE) images were acquired during free-breathing for PREFUL analysis. Imaging was performed at 3 T. ASSESSMENT: T1 , T2 , and UTE images were scored according to the modified Ochiai scheme by three pediatric body radiologists. Ventilation/perfusion-weighted maps were extracted from free-breathing GRE images using PREFUL analysis. Ventilation and perfusion defect percent (VDP, QDP) were calculated from the segmented ventilation and perfusion-weighted maps. Time-averaged cardiac blood velocities from three-dimensional-flow were evaluated in major pulmonary arteries and veins. STATISTICAL TEST: Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: The ICC of replicate structural scores was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.45-0.95) across three observers. Elevated Ochiai scores, VDP, and QDP were observed in two NICU participants. Excluding these participants, mean ± standard deviation structural scores were 1.2 ± 0.8, while VDP and QDP were 1.0% ± 1.1% and 0.4% ± 0.5%, respectively. Main pulmonary arterial blood flows normalized to body surface area were 3.15 ± 0.78 L/min/m2 . DATA CONCLUSION: Structural and functional pulmonary imaging is feasible using standard clinical MRI hardware (commercial whole-body 3 T scanner, table spine array, and flexible thoracic array) in free-breathing infants. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.

Assessing the feasibility of hyperpolarized 129 Xe multiple-breath washout MRI in pediatric cystic fibrosis.

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility of hyperpolarized 129 Xe multiple-breath washout MRI in pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) participants with preserved lung function. Fractional ventilation (r), defined as the fractional gas replacement per breath, was mapped using 2 signal models: (1) constant T1 and (2) variable T1 as a function of the hyperpolarized gas washout. METHODS: A total of 17 pediatric participants were recruited (mean age 11.7 ± 2.8 years), including 7 children with clinically stable CF and 10 aged-matched healthy controls. Pulmonary function tests were performed, including spirometry, to measure the forced expiratory volume in 1 second and nitrogen multiple-breath washout to measure the lung clearance index. Hyperpolarized 129 Xe MRI was performed during consecutive breaths of air following a single 129 Xe inhalation, and fractional ventilation maps were calculated. RESULTS: The forced expiratory volume in 1 second was similar in both groups (P = .32), but there was a statistically significant difference in lung clearance index between healthy and CF participants (P = .001). With variable T1 modeling, CF participants had a mean r of 0.44 ± 0.08 and healthy participants had a mean r of 0.37 ± 0.12 (P = .20). With constant T1 modeling, CF participants had a mean r' of 0.48 ± 0.08, and healthy participants had a mean r' of 0.43 ± 0.12 (P = .32). Therefore, assuming a constant T1 leads to a relative bias in r of 15.1% ± 6.4% and 20.8% ± 7.4% for CF and healthy participants, respectively (P = .12). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that hyperpolarized 129 Xe multiple-breath washout imaging is feasible in pediatric participants with CF, and inclusion of variable T1 modeling reduces bias in the fractional ventilation measurements.

Hyperpolarized 129 Xe imaging of embryonic stem cell-derived alveolar-like macrophages in rat lungs: proof-of-concept study using superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.

PURPOSE: To measure regional changes in hyperpolarized 129 Xe MRI signal and apparent transverse relaxation ( T2∗ ) because of instillation of SPION-labeled alveolar-like macrophages (ALMs) in the lungs of rats and compare to histology. METHODS: MRI was performed in 6 healthy mechanically ventilated rats before instillation, as well as 5 min and 1 h after instillation of 4 million SPION-labeled ALMs into either the left or right lung. T2∗ maps were calculated from 2D multi-echo data at each time point and changes in T2∗ were measured and compared to control rats receiving 4 million unlabeled ALMs. Histology of the ex vivo lungs was used to compare the regional MRI findings with the locations of the SPION-labeled ALMs. RESULTS: Regions of signal loss were observed immediately after instillation of unlabeled and SPION-labeled ALMs and persisted at least 1 h in the case of the SPION-labeled ALMs. This was reflected in the measurements of T2∗ . One hour after the instillation of SPION-labeled ALMs, the T2∗ decreased to 54.0 ± 7.0% of the baseline, compared to a full recovery to baseline after the instillation of unlabeled ALMs. Histology confirmed the co-localization of SPION-labeled ALMs with regions of signal loss and T2∗ decreases for each rat. CONCLUSION: Hyperpolarized 129 Xe MRI can detect the presence of SPION-labeled ALMs in the airways 1 h after instillation. This approach is promising for targeting and tracking of stem cells for the treatment of lung disease.

Chemical shift of 129 Xe dissolved in red blood cells: Application to a rat model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

PURPOSE: To measure the chemical shift of hyperpolarized 129 Xe dissolved in the red blood cells(δRBC ) of a cohort of rats exposed to hyperoxia and intermittent hypoxia (IH) to mimic human bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and to investigate the effect of xenon-blood distribution time on δRBC . METHODS: δRBC was measured from spectra acquired using a chemical shift saturation recovery sequence from 15 Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to hyperoxia-IH and 10 age-matched control rats. Sensitization to the xenon-blood distribution time was achieved by varying the time between saturation pulses, τ. δRBC was compared with blood fraction measured by histology of the cohort and blood oxygenation measured directly using pulse oximetry following a hypoxic challenge in an identically exposed cohort. RESULTS: The mean δRBC in the hyperoxia-IH exposed rats was 0.55 ± 0.04 ppm lower than that of the healthy cohort (P = .0038), and this difference did not depend on τ (P = .996). The blood fraction of the exposed cohort was lower than that of the healthy cohort (P = .0397). Oximetry measurements showed that the baseline arterial oxygen saturation (Sa O2 ) of each cohort was not different (P = .72), but after a hypoxic challenge, the Sa O2 of the exposed cohort was lower than that of the healthy cohort (P = .003). CONCLUSION: δRBC is reduced in rats exposed to hyperoxia-IH compared with control rats. The change in δRBC is consistent with enhanced blood oxygen desaturation of the exposed cohort measured by pulse oximetry during a hypoxic challenge. This suggests that the observed change in δRBC reflects enhanced desaturation in the hyperoxia-IH exposed cohort compared with the healthy cohort.

Predictive Value of In Vivo MR Spectroscopy With Semilocalization by Adiabatic Selective Refocusing in Differentiating Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma From Other Subtypes.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of in vivo MR spectroscopy (MRS) with semilocalization by adiabatic selective refocusing (semi-LASER MRS) in differentiating clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) from the non-clear cell subtype. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Sixteen patients with biopsy-proven RCC or masses highly suspicious for RCC were prospectively recruited to participate in the study. Single-voxel 1H spectra were acquired using a 3-T MRI system, with a semi-LASER sequence acquired for renal tumors in 14 patients and for healthy renal tissue (control tissue) in 12 patients. Offline processing of the MR spectra was performed. MRI and spectra analysis were performed independently by radiologists who were blinded to the reference histopathologic findings. RESULTS. Semi-LASER MRS was diagnostic for nine of 11 patients (82%) with histopathologically proven clear cell RCC, showing a strong lipid peak in seven patients and a weaker lipid resonance in two others, whereas control spectra showed weakly positive findings in only one patient. MRS findings were negative for lipid resonance in two of three patients (67%) with non-clear cell tumors and were weakly positive in another patient. Semi-LASER MRS had a high sensitivity and positive predictive value of 82% and 90%, respectively, in addition to a specificity of 67%, a negative predictive value of 50%, and overall accuracy of 79% for the detection of clear cell RCC. Lipid resonance was detected by MRS for four of six clear cell RCCs with no intravoxel fat on chemical-shift MRI. CONCLUSION. The preliminary results of the present study show that semi-LASER MRS is promising for the noninvasive discrimination of clear cell RCC from non-clear cell RCC on the basis of detection of lipid resonance and that it provides an incremental yield compared with chemical-shift MRI.

Hyperpolarised 129Xe magnetic resonance imaging to monitor treatment response in children with cystic fibrosis.

Pulmonary magnetic resonance imaging using hyperpolarised 129Xe gas (XeMRI) can quantify ventilation inhomogeneity by measuring the percentage of unventilated lung volume (ventilation defect per cent (VDP)). While previous studies have demonstrated its sensitivity for detecting early cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, the utility of XeMRI to monitor response to therapy in CF is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the ability of XeMRI to capture treatment response in paediatric CF patients undergoing inpatient antibiotic treatment for a pulmonary exacerbation.15 CF patients aged 8-18 years underwent XeMRI, spirometry, plethysmography and multiple-breath nitrogen washout at the beginning and end of inpatient treatment of a pulmonary exacerbation. VDP was calculated from XeMRI images obtained during a static breath hold using semi-automated k-means clustering and linear binning approaches.XeMRI was well tolerated. VDP, lung clearance index and the forced expiratory volume in 1 s all improved with treatment; however, response was not uniform in individual patients. Of all outcome measures, VDP showed the largest relative improvement (-42.1%, 95% CI -52.1--31.9%, p<0.0001).These data support further investigation of XeMRI as a tool to capture treatment response in CF lung disease.

19 F MRI of the Lungs Using Inert Fluorinated Gases: Challenges and New Developments.

Fluorine-19 (19 F) MRI using inhaled inert fluorinated gases is an emerging technique that can provide functional images of the lungs. Inert fluorinated gases are nontoxic, abundant, relatively inexpensive, and the technique can be performed on any MRI scanner with broadband multinuclear imaging capabilities. Pulmonary 19 F MRI has been performed in animals, healthy human volunteers, and in patients with lung disease. In this review, the technical requirements of 19 F MRI are discussed, along with various imaging approaches used to optimize the image quality. Lung imaging is typically performed in humans using a gas mixture containing 79% perfluoropropane (PFP) or sulphur hexafluoride (SF6 ) and 21% oxygen. In lung diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cystic fibrosis (CF), ventilation defects are apparent in regions that the inhaled gas cannot access. 19 F lung images are typically acquired in a single breath-hold, or in a time-resolved, multiple breath fashion. The former provides measurements of the ventilation defect percent (VDP), while the latter provides measurements of gas replacement (ie, fractional ventilation). Finally, preliminary comparisons with other functional lung imaging techniques are discussed, such as Fourier decomposition MRI and hyperpolarized gas MRI. Overall, functional 19 F lung MRI is expected to complement existing proton-based structural imaging techniques, and the combination of structural and functional lung MRI will provide useful outcome measures in the future management of pulmonary diseases in the clinic. Level of Evidence: 3 Technical Efficacy: Stage 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:343-354.

Effect of T1 relaxation on ventilation mapping using hyperpolarized 129 Xe multiple breath wash-out imaging.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of incorporating T1 as a function of wash-out breath number (T1 (n)) on estimation of fractional ventilation (r) using hyperpolarized 129 Xe multiple breath wash-out (MBWO) imaging in rats. METHODS: MBWO imaging was performed in 8 healthy mechanically ventilated rats at several inter-image delay times (τ) and tidal volumes (TV). r maps were calculated from the imaging data using a model of T1 (n) (assuming that the longitudinal relaxation rate of 129 Xe in the lung is directly proportional to pA O2 ) and compared to r maps obtained by assuming a fixed T1 measured before wash-out breaths (r'). RESULTS: Fractional ventilation was overestimated by up to 19.3% when T1 was fixed. An inverse relationship between bias (Δr) and ventilation was observed at all τ and TV. Additionally, Δr significantly increased when TV was decreased (F statistic F(2,7) = 48.97, P < 10-4 ). Histograms from r' maps were significantly more skewed toward lower values as compared to r histograms at all τ and TV (P < 0.05) except TV = Vdose - 1 mL. CONCLUSION: Analysis of hyperpolarized 129 Xe MBWO imaging using a model incorporating T1 (n) corrects for an overestimating bias in the mapping of fractional ventilation in mechanically ventilated rats introduced by assuming a fixed T1 .

Fractional ventilation mapping using inert fluorinated gas MRI in rat models of inflammation and fibrosis.

The purpose of this study was to extend established methods for fractional ventilation mapping using (19) F MRI of inert fluorinated gases to rat models of pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. In this study, five rats were instilled with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the lungs two days prior to imaging, six rats were instilled with bleomycin in the lungs two weeks prior to imaging and an additional four rats were used as controls. (19) F MR lung imaging was performed at 3 T with rats continuously breathing a mixture of sulfur hexafluoride and O2 . Fractional ventilation maps were obtained using a wash-out approach, by switching the breathing mixture to pure O2 , and acquiring images following each successive wash-out breath. The mean fractional ventilation (r) was 0.29 ± 0.05 for control rats, 0.23 ± 0.10 for LPS-instilled rats and 0.19 ± 0.03 for bleomycin-instilled rats. Bleomycin-instilled rats had a significantly decreased mean r value compared with controls (P = 0.010). Although LPS-instilled rats had a slightly reduced mean r value, this trend was not statistically significant (P = 0.556). Fractional ventilation gradients were calculated in the anterior/posterior (A/P) direction, and the mean A/P gradient was -0.005 ± 0.008 cm(-1) for control rats, 0.013 ± 0.005 cm(-1) for LPS-instilled rats and 0.009 ± 0.018 cm(-1) for bleomycin-instilled rats. Fractional ventilation gradients were significantly different for control rats compared with LPS-instilled rats only (P = 0.016). The ventilation gradients calculated from control rats showed the expected gravitational relationship, while ventilation gradients calculated from LPS- and bleomycin-instilled rats showed the opposite trend. Histology confirmed that LPS-instilled rats had a significantly elevated alveolar wall thickness, while bleomycin-instilled rats showed signs of substantial fibrosis. Overall, (19)F MRI may be able to detect the effects of pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis using a simple and inexpensive imaging approach that can potentially be translated to humans.

Functional imaging of the lungs with gas agents.

This review focuses on the state-of-the-art of the three major classes of gas contrast agents used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-hyperpolarized (HP) gas, molecular oxygen, and fluorinated gas--and their application to clinical pulmonary research. During the past several years there has been accelerated development of pulmonary MRI. This has been driven in part by concerns regarding ionizing radiation using multidetector computed tomography (CT). However, MRI also offers capabilities for fast multispectral and functional imaging using gas agents that are not technically feasible with CT. Recent improvements in gradient performance and radial acquisition methods using ultrashort echo time (UTE) have contributed to advances in these functional pulmonary MRI techniques. The relative strengths and weaknesses of the main functional imaging methods and gas agents are compared and applications to measures of ventilation, diffusion, and gas exchange are presented. Functional lung MRI methods using these gas agents are improving our understanding of a wide range of chronic lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and cystic fibrosis in both adults and children.

In vivo regional ventilation mapping using fluorinated gas MRI with an x-centric FGRE method.

PURPOSE: Inert fluorinated gas lung MRI is a new and promising alternative to hyperpolarized gas lung MRI; it is less expensive and does not require expensive isotopes/polarizers. The thermally polarized nature of signal obtained from fluorinated gases makes it relatively easy to use for dynamic lung imaging and for obtaining lung ventilation maps. In this study, we propose that the sensitivity and resolution of fluorine-19 (19F) in vivo images can be improved using the x-centric pulse sequence, thereby achieving a short echo time/pulse repetition time. This study is a transitional step for converting to more sustainable gases for lung imaging. METHODS: A 19F-resolution phantom was used to validate the efficiency of performing the x-centric pulse sequence on a clinical scanner. Ventilation maps were obtained in the lungs of five normal rats with a washout approach (adapted from Xe-enhanced computed tomography [Xe-CT] regional ventilation mapping), using mixtures of either sulfur hexafluoride/oxygen or perfluoropropane/oxygen and a two-breath x-centric method. RESULTS: Fractional ventilation (r) values obtained in this study (0.35-0.46 interval) were in good agreement with previously published values for 3He/129Xe. Calculated r gradients agreed well with published gradients obtained in rats with Xe-CT measurements. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that fluorinated gases can be reliably used in vivo in dynamic lung studies as an alternative to 3He/129Xe.

Inert fluorinated gas MRI: a new pulmonary imaging modality.

Fluorine-19 ((19)F) MRI of the lungs using inhaled inert fluorinated gases can potentially provide high quality images of the lungs that are similar in quality to those from hyperpolarized (HP) noble gas MRI. Inert fluorinated gases have the advantages of being nontoxic, abundant, and inexpensive compared with HP gases. Due to the high gyromagnetic ratio of (19)F, there is sufficient thermally polarized signal for imaging, and averaging within a single breath-hold is possible due to short longitudinal relaxation times. Therefore, the gases do not need to be hyperpolarized prior to their use in MRI. This eliminates the need for an expensive polarizer and expensive isotopes. Inert fluorinated gas MRI of the lungs has been previously demonstrated in animals, and more recently in healthy volunteers and patients with lung diseases. The ongoing improvements in image quality demonstrate the potential of (19)F MRI for visualizing the distribution of ventilation in human lungs and detecting functional biomarkers. In this brief review, the development of inert fluorinated gas MRI, current progress, and future prospects are discussed. The current state of HP noble gas MRI is also briefly discussed in order to provide context to the development of this new imaging modality. Overall, this may be a viable clinical imaging modality that can provide useful information for the diagnosis and management of chronic respiratory diseases.

An 8-Channel Transceiver Coil for Carotid Artery Imaging at 7T Using an Optimized Shield Design.

OBJECTIVE: To design and fabricate a transmit/receive (T/R) radiofrequency (RF) coil array for MRI of the carotid arteries at 7T with optimal shielding to improve transmit performance in parallel transmit (pTx) mode. METHODS: The carotid coil included 8 total RF elements, with left and right subarrays, each consisting of 4 overlapping loops with RF shields. Electromagnetic (EM) simulations were performed to optimize and improve the transmit performance of the array by determining the optimal distance between the RF shield and each subarray. EM simulations were further used to calculate local specific absorption rate (SAR) matrices. Based on the SAR matrices, virtual observation points (VOPs) were applied to ensure safety during parallel transmission. The efficacy of the coil design was evaluated by measuring coil performance metrics when imaging a phantom and by acquiring in-vivo images. RESULTS: The optimal distance between the RF shield and each subarray was determined to be 45 mm. This resulted in a maximum B1+ efficiency of 1.23 µT/ √W in the carotid arteries and a peak, 10-g-average SAR per Watt of 0.86 kg-1 when transmitting in the nominal CP+ mode. Optimizing the RF shield resulted in up to 37% improvement in B1+ efficiency and 14% improvement in SAR efficiency compared to an unshielded design. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: Optimizing the distance between the RF shield and coil array provided significant improvement in the transmit characteristics of the bilateral carotid coil. The bilateral coil topology provides a compelling platform for imaging the carotid arteries with high field MRI.

Pulmonary ultrashort echo time 19F MR imaging with inhaled fluorinated gas mixtures in healthy volunteers: feasibility.

PURPOSE: To perform static breath-hold fluorine 19 ((19)F) three-dimensional (3D) ultrashort echo time (UTE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the lungs in healthy volunteers by using a mixture of 79% perfluoropropane (PFP) and 21% O2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study protocol was approved by the local research ethics board and by Health Canada. All volunteers provided written informed consent. Ten healthy volunteers underwent MR imaging at 3.0 T. Fluorine 19 3D UTE MR images were acquired during a 15-second breath hold according to one of two breathing protocols: protocol A, a 1-L inhalation of a mixture of 79% PFP and 21% O2, and protocol B, continuous breathing from a 5-L bag of a mixture of 79% PFP and 21% O2 followed by a 1-L inhalation of the same PFP-O2 mixture from a separate bag and a subsequent breath hold. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was measured in the three most central image sections and was compared between breathing protocols by using an unpaired t test. RESULTS: Overall, the SNR was significantly greater for breathing protocol B (continuous breathing) than for breathing protocol A (single breath) (P = .018). The mean SNRs were 18 ± 6 (standard deviation) and 32 ± 6 for images acquired by using breathing protocols A and B, respectively. Breathing protocol B improves SNR by "washing out" the air from the lungs and increasing the PFP concentration prior to (19)F imaging. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the feasibility of (19)F 3D UTE static breath-hold MR imaging of human lungs with inert fluorinated gases.