Use of magnetisation transfer contrast to improve cerebral 3D MR angiography

To improve 3D-time of flight (3D-TOF) magnetic resonance angiography, we used magnetisation transfer (MT) to increase the contrast between flowing blood and stationary tissues. With a 1.5 KHz off-resonance radio-frequency MT applied for 16 ms at a maximum power within specific absorption rate (SAR) limits, a 37% decrease in the signal of white matter was obtained, whereas the signal from flowing blood decreased by only 8%. An improvement in maximum intensity projection (MIP) image quality was obtained all MT-3DTOF studies on seven volunteers using progressively more powerful MT pulses. Routine clinical use of MT-3DTOF appears promising and can be achieved at any strength field.     

The fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery pulse sequence in assessment of central nervous system involvement in myotonic dystrophy

We compared the fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence with conventional spin-echo (SE) imaging for detection of involvement of the central nervous system in five patients with myotonic dystrophy (MD). The diagnosis was made based on clinical features and DNA analysis. All patients showed abnormal high-intensity lesions in the white matter on T2-weighted images, although these were more clearly visible using FLAIR. Received: 3 January 1997 Accepted: 18 June 1997     

FLAIR序列在低场脑MRI中的应用研究

目的 :探讨在低场MRI中FLAIR序列对颅脑疾病的临床应用价值。方法 :2 4 7例颅脑疾病患者 ,均进行FLAIR序列和FSE T2 WI检查 ,比较两种序列对病灶的显示能力。结果 :MRI共发现 5 1 6个病灶 ,FLAIR序列显示病灶 5 0 8个(98 4 4%) ,FSE T2 WI显示病灶 4 36个 (84 .5 0 %) ,两者在显示病变方面有显著差异 (P <0 .0 1 )。FLAIR序列显示病灶内部结构及边缘良好者为 2 80个 (5 5 .1 2 %) ,FSE T2 WI为 1 2 0个 (2 7.5 2 %) ,两者在显示病变内部结构及边缘清晰度方面 ,FLAIR序列优于FSE T2 WI(P <0 .0 1 )。结论 :在低场脑MR中 ,FLAIR技术对颅脑病变的显示优于常规FSE T2 WI,有助于提高病变的检出率 ,清晰显示病灶内部结构与边缘 ,可作为颅脑MRI检查的常规序列。     

Influence of fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery on stroke apparent diffusion coefficient measurements and its clinical application

Background and purpose

The application of a fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery pulse with a conventional diffusion-weighted MRI sequence (FLAIR DWI) decreases the partial volume effects from cerebrospinal fluid on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements. For this reason, FLAIR DWI may be more useful in the evaluation of ischemic stroke, but few studies have looked at the effect of FLAIR on ADC measurements in this setting. This study quantitatively compares FLAIR DWI and conventional DWI in ischemic stroke of varying ages to assess the potential advantages of this technique.

Methods

We respectively analyzed 139 DWI studies in patients with ischemic stroke with and without FLAIR at varying time points ranging from hyperacute to chronic. ADC values were measured in each lesion, as well as in the contralateral normal side. Comparisons were made between the ADC values obtained from the DWI sequences with and without FLAIR for both the lesion and the normal contralateral side.

Results

The ADC measurements within the ischemic lesion were very similar on FLAIR DWI and conventional DWI for lesions less than 14 days old (p > 0.05), but were significantly decreased on FLAIR DWI for lesions between 15 and 30 days old and in lesions >31 days old (chronic stage) (p < 0.01). The contralateral ADC values were all significantly decreased on the FLAIR DWI sequence compared with conventional DWI (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The application of an inversion pulse does not significantly affect the ADC values for early stage ischemic stroke (less than 14 days from symptom onset), but results in a more accurate relative ADC measurement by reducing the cerebrospinal fluid partial volume effects of the normal contralateral side. In addition, combined with the conventional DWI, FLAIR DWI may be helpful in determining the age of ischemic lesions.     

The dural tail of intracranial meningiomas on fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery images

We evaluated the dural tail associated with 48 intracranial meningiomas on fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images. In 30 (62.5%), a dural tail was observed on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images, and thickening of the dura mater and abnormal signal were identified in the corresponding region on FLAIR images. Thus, FLAIR imaging was useful for showing dural abnormality associated with meningiomas without the needed for contrast medium.     

对比增强磁化传递MRI在肺癌脑内小转移灶成像中的价值

目的　探讨对比增强磁化传递 (magnetisationtransfer,MT)MRI在肺癌脑内小转移灶的应用。方法　对 6 0例病人 (含 172个转移灶 )进行对比增强磁化传递前后的对照研究。对比增强磁化传递前采用SE序列T1WI。然后 ,注射钆喷替酸葡甲胺 (Gd DTPA) (0 1mmol/kg)增强后 ,进行SE序列T1WI和SE序列T1WIMT技术成像。通过比较对比度 /噪声比值 (C/Ns值 ) ,对采用MT技术与否的影像结果进行评估 ;再对采用MT技术与否所显示的转移灶数量进行对照。结果　所有采用T1WI对比增强MT技术的图像C/Ns值比常规T1WI对比增强图像的C/Ns值高。采用MT技术图像的C/Ns值为 2 6 98± 7 0 6 ( x±s) ,常规T1WI对比增强图像的C/Ns值为 15 5 1± 8 5 4 ,t =8 0 2 ,P <0 0 1。T1WI对比增强MT技术比常规T1WI对比增强能显示更多的转移灶数目 (6 0个 ) ,χ2 =7 79,P <0 0 1。结论　在显示肺癌脑内小转移灶方面 ,T1WIMT对比增强比常规T1WI对比增强更为敏感 ,对评估中枢神经系统转移性疾病具有重要的临床价值。     

Tissue characterisation of intracranial tumours: the value of magnetisation transfer and conventional MRI

We performed MRI on 85 patients with intracranial tumours to evaluate quantitative analysis in tumour characterisation. Signal intensities were measured on standard T2-and T1-weighted images, Gd-enhanced T1-weighted images and magnetisation transfer (MT) images. Statistically significant differences between tumour types were observed, but overlapping reduces their value. T2-weighted imaging was superior to T1-weighted imaging for tumour characterisation. Quantification of Gd enhancement was useful in the diagnosis of pituitary adenomas and haemangioblastomas, but of minor importance in other tumours, because of large nonspecific variation. The contribution of MT contrast to tumour characterisation resembled that of T2 contrast. However, MT imaging was superior to other sequences in the classification of intra-axial tumours. Low-grade astrocytomas, haemangioblastomas and craniopharyngiomas could be differentiated from other tumours on the basis of MT contrast. Reliable discrimination between meningiomas, high-grade astrocytomas and metastases was not possible by any of the methods.     

Contrast-enhanced magnetisation transfer MRI in metastatic lesions of the brain

Our purpose was to compare prospectively the sensitivity of contrast-enhanced magnetisation transfer (MT) MRI and gradient-echo (GE) T1-weighted images in metastatic disease of the brain. We studied 52 patients with brain metastases, using conventional T1-weighted GE and MT spin-echo (SE) images after the same standard dose of gadolinium. Axial 5-mm reconstructions of GE data were compared with 5-mm MT images in the same plane. Metastases were counted independently by two neuroradiologists. In 12 patients (23 %) MT imaging showed more metastases than GE images (P = 0.03). We detected 68 more metastases with the former technique. Received: 27 July 1997 Accepted: 22 April 1998     

Application of turbo fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery MRI in evaluation of intraspinal tumors

PURPOSE: Although fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely applied to diagnose central nervous system diseases, its role in diagnosis of intraspinal tumors is unclear. In this study, we evaluated the potential clinical application of a turbo FLAIR sequence for imaging of intraspinal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight consecutive patients with intraspinal tumors underwent MRI with turbo FLAIR and turbo spinal echo (TSE) sequences. Turbo FLAIR images were then qualitatively and quantitatively compared with T2-weighted TSE images. RESULTS: Turbo FLAIR images were evaluated as superior to T2-weighted TSE images for image artifact, extradural tumor conspicuity, and intradural extramedullary tumor conspicuity and detection. Intramedullary tumor conspicuity with turbo FLAIR was less than T2-weighted TSE. Similar capabilities in detection of extradural and intramedullary tumors were found between turbo FLAIR and T2-weighted TSE. Turbo FLAIR and T2-weighted TSE displayed similar normal spinal cord signal-noise ratio (SNR) and tumor-to-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). In addition, turbo FLAIR yielded significantly higher tumor-to-CSF contrast than T2-weighted TSE. However, tumor SNR, tumor-to-normal spinal cord contrast and CNR with turbo FLAIR images were lower than those with T2-weighted TSE images. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated (a) a superiority of turbo FLAIR to T2-weighted TSE in displaying and detecting intradural extramedullary tumors, (b) a superiority of turbo FLAIR to T2-weighted TSE in demonstrating extradural tumors, and (c) less usefulness in displaying intramedullary tumors with turbo FLAIR than with T2-weighted TSE.     

Diffusion- and magnetisation transfer-weighted MRI in childhood moya-moya

Abstract MRI in two children with moya-moya demonstrated low signal on T2-weighted images in the acute and subacute phases of ischaemia. Gradient-echo sequences, more sensitive to magnetic susceptibility, demonstrated these abnormalities better. Signal loss, due to temporary accumulation of iron, decreases progressively and disappears in the chronic stage of the disease. Diffusion-weighted MRI allows early detection of ischaemic lesions and can be used to monitor progressive spreading of the lesions. Magnetisation transfer maps provide sharp contrast, useful for demonstrating cortical atrophy. Received: 14 August 1997 Accepted: 22 September 1997     

Magnetisation transfer imaging of the normal adenohypophysis: the effect of sex and age

Magnetisation transfer (MT) techniques provide tissue contrast depending mainly on the concentration of macromolecules. Because many macromolecules are involved in the secretory activity of the pituitary gland, MT techniques might be useful in the study of pituitary gland disorders. Our purpose was to establish a quantitative database of the MT ratio (MTR) of the normal adenohypophysis and to see whether there are age- and sex-related differences. Using a three-dimensional gradient-echo sequence for MT we studied the adenohypophysis in 56 males and 61 females aged 7 months-77 years; postsaturation images were obtained using an on-resonance binomial prepulse. The images were normal in all but three patients, two with meningiomas, one with a schwannoma). Adenohypophyseal MTR increased in both sexes up to 19 years of age (r = 0.47 males, 0.39 females, P < 0.05 ). In men after 20 years and in women from 20–49 years MTR decreased (r = –0.68, P < 0.001, r = –0.46, P < 0.05, respectively). In women aged 50–59 years the MTR again increased slightly. The MTR in males was slightly higher at all ages except before 9 and after 50 years of age. These differences were not statistically significant except in the 40–49 year group (P < 0.05). Received: 11 August 2000 Accepted: 8 September 2000     

MRI of acute cerebral infarction: a comparison of FLAIR and T2-weighted fast spin-echo imaging

Fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) sequences have been reported to provide high sensitivity to a wide range of central nervous system diseases. To our knowledge, however, FLAIR sequences have not been used to study patients with acute cerebral infarcts. We evaluated the usefulness of FLAIR sequences in this context. FLAIR sequences were acquired on a 0.5 T superconducting unit within 8 h of the onset in 19 patients (aged 26–80 years) with a total of 23 ischaemic lesions. The images were reviewed retrospectively by three neuroradiologists, and the FLAIR images were compared with T2-weighted fast spin-echo images. All but one of the ischaemic lesions involving grey matter was clearly demonstrated on FLAIR images as increased signal intensity in cortical or central grey matter. FLAIR images were particularly useful for detecting the hyperacute cortical infarcts within 3 h of onset, which were not readily detected on the spin-echo images. In 9 of 11 patients with complete proximal occlusion, the distal portion of the cerebral artery was visible as an area of high signal intensity on FLAIR images. Received: 5 June 1996 Accepted: 6 September 1996     

增强液体衰减反转恢复序列在脑膜瘤诊断中的应用价值

目的 探讨增强液体衰减反转恢复(FLAIR)序列在诊断脑膜瘤中的价值. 资料与方法 38例脑膜瘤患者行增强T1WI和FLAIR成像,比较两种序列增强图像上脑膜瘤的强化方式、"脑膜尾征"的显示、肿瘤强化程度、肿瘤与白质及肿瘤与灰质的对比率(CR)和对比噪声比(CNR). 结果 38例中25例(65.8%)在增强FLAIR上呈环状强化,而增强T1WI上仅7例(18.4%)呈环状强化."脑膜尾征"在增强FLAIR和增强T1WI上的显示率分别为36.8%和47.4%.肿瘤在增强FLAIR和增强T1WI上强化程度分别为57.0和301.3,两者间差异有统计学意义(P＜0.001).增强FLAIR和增强T1WI上肿瘤与灰质CR分别为0.9和1.5,两种序列上肿瘤与白质的CNR分别为50.6和72.6,肿瘤与灰质CNR则为44.3和80.1,两种序列间差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.001).肿瘤与白质CR在两种序列间无差异. 结论 增强FLAIR有助于脑膜瘤包膜的显示和判断,但在显示肿瘤本身及"脑膜尾征"上不及增强T1WI.     

Magnetisation transfer ratios of contrast-enhancing and nonenhancing lesions in multiple sclerosis

Magnetisation transfer (MT) is a recently introduced technique for assessing the water content of tissues in vivo and its relationship to macromolecules or membranes. It has been suggested that MT could provide indirect evidence of the characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions (oedema, demyelination, or gliosis). Our aims were to characterise brain MS lesions and to compare the magnetisation transfer ratio (MTR) values of lesions with different patterns of contrast enhancement. In patients with MS we measured the MTR of 65 gadolinium-enhancing and 292 nonenhancing lesions. Using the equation published by Dousset et al. we studied 29 patients with clinically definite MS and 10 healthy controls. Lesions had significantly lower MT than the normal-appearing white matter of the patients or the normal white matter of healthy controls. There was no difference in the MTR of enhancing and nonenhancing lesions. Enhancement was homogeneous in 45 and ring-like in 20 lesions; MTR values were lower in the latter. These findings are presumably related to the differences in pathological features of enhancing (different amounts of proteins and inflammatory cells, oedema and demyelination) and nonenhancing (gliosis, demyelination and axonal loss) lesions.     

Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy: evaluation of the brain and optic pathway by conventional MRI and magnetisation transfer imaging

The purpose of the study was to examine the brain and the visual pathway of patients with non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) by using conventional MRI (cMRI) and volumetric magnetisation transfer imaging (MTI). Thirty NAION patients, aged 67.5 ± 8.14 years, and 28 age- and gender-matched controls were studied. MTI was used to measure the magnetisation transfer ratio (MTR) of the chiasm and for MTR histograms of the brain. The presence of areas of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) was evaluated on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images. Area of the optic nerves (ONs) and volume of the chiasm were assessed, as were coronal short-tau inversion recovery (STIR) and MTI images, respectively. More areas of WMH were observed in patients (total 419; mean 14.4; SD 19) than in controls (total 127; mean 4.7; SD 5.7), P < 0.001. Area (in square millimetres) of the affected ONs, volume(in cubic millimetres) and MTR (in percent) of the chiasm (10.7 ± 4.6), (75.8 ± 20.2), (56.4 ± 6.5), respectively, were lower in patients than in controls (13.6 ± 4.3), (158.2 ± 75.3) (62.1 ± 6.2), respectively, P < 0.05. Mean MTR of brain histograms was lower in patients (53.0 ± 8.0) than in controls (58.0 ± 5.6), P < 0.05. NAION is characterised by decreased ON and chiasmatic size. The low MTR of the chiasm and brain associated with increased areas of WMH may be suggestive of demyelination and axonal damage due to generalised cerebral vascular disease.     

Reducing motion artefacts in diffusion-weighted MRI of the brain: efficacy of navigator echo correction and pulse triggering

Diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) is extremely sensitive to motion of the object being examined. Pulse triggering and navigator echo correction are methods for reducing motion artefacts which can be combined with conventional DWI sequences. Implementation of these methods in imaging sequences with a readout of one, three, or five echoes is presented and imaging results compared in a study of five healthy volunteers. As an objective measure for motion-induced image artefacts, the “artefacticity” of an image is defined. Pulse triggering and navigator echo correction significantly improve image quality and provide a technique for high-quality DWI on standard imagers without improved gradient hardware. Received: 31 January 1999/Accepted: 12 July 1999     

Magnetisation transfer ratio is low in normal-appearing cerebral white matter in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus

We measured the magnetisation transfer ratios (MTR) of normal-appearing rostral (PR) and caudal (PC) periventricular white matter, the genu (CG) and the splenium (CS) of the corpus callosum and the thalamus (TH) in 12 patients with normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and compared them with 16 healthy control subjects. We found a significantly lower MTR in the NPH group than in the normal group for PR, PC, CG, and CS but not for TH. MT measurements give additional information which cannot be gained by conventional MRI, suggesting that NPH is associated with diffuse white matter damage, even in normal-appearing cerebral white matter. Received: 2 July 1999/Accepted: 13 July 1999     

Comparative evaluation of magnetization transfer contrast and fluid attenuated inversion recovery sequences in brain tuberculoma

AIM: To compare T1-weighted magnetization transfer (MT) with fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging for evaluating conspicuity and number of lesions in individuals with brain tuberculoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all 28 patients with brain tuberculoma underwent MR examination using fast spin-echo (FSE) T2, spin-echo (SE) T1, T1-weighted MT and FLAIR imaging. Post-contrast T1-weighted MT imaging was taken as the gold standard for assessing the number of lesions. Tuberculomas detected both on T1-weighted MT and FLAIR imaging were examined for the wall to be defined, and were divided into two groups on the basis of presence (group 1) or absence (group 2) of perilesional oedema visible on FLAIR imaging. The mean signal intensity of the wall of the lesions and adjacent oedema or brain parenchyma was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. RESULTS: The number of lesions detected on T1-weighted MT was higher than on FLAIR imaging (209 versus 163). Conspicuity in both groups was better on T1-weighted MT images qualitatively as well as quantitatively. The difference in the signal intensity of the wall of the lesion and perilesional oedema was statistically significant only on T1-weighted MT images in group 1 (p=0.0003 versus 0.3), whereas in group 2 it was statistically significant both on T1-weighted MT and FLAIR imaging (p=0.009 versus 0.05). CONCLUSION: FLAIR imaging is not helpful in the examination of brain tuberculomas compared with T1-weighted MT imaging, as it neither contributes to the characterization of lesion nor assesses the true disease load.     

脑脊液正常流动的MRI研究

 目的 探讨MRI相位对比序列(cine PC)研究和分析脑脊液流动的可能性,并运用该技术对正常志愿者进行分析.方法 采用MRI cine PC序列, 对正常志愿者进行分析,并测量中脑导水管上下丘之间的横断层面脑脊液的流动速度.结果 MRI cine PC序列可清楚地显示心脏周期各个时段各个脑室、脑池和脊髓蛛网膜下腔中脑脊液运动方向的变化,并能对脑脊液流速进行精确地测量.结论 MRI cine PC法是一种新型的无创性的检查手段,对脑脊液的流动有很强的敏感性,是一种很有前途的研究手段.     

Potential for increasing conspicuity of short-T1 lesions in the brain using magnetisation transfer imaging

We investigated the feasibility of using T1-weighted magnetisation transfer sequences to generate tissue contrast and increase the conspicuity of short-T1 areas within the brain. We imaged two normal volunteers with and without saturating off-resonance radiofrequency irradiation at a range of repetition times (TR 200–760 ms). T1 values and magnetisation transfer ratios for white matter and deep grey matter were calculated. We studied eight patients with intracranial lesions showing short-T1 areas, using mildly T1-weighted sequences with and without magnetisation transfer contrast. Lesion numbers, areas and signal intensities were measured and lesion-to-background contrast was calculated. Comparison was made with conventional T1-weighted spin-echo images. In the normal volunteers, contrast between the thalamus, caudate and lentiform nuclei and white matter showed striking visual differences, with magnetisation transfer weighting, with decreasing TR. In all patients, short-T1 lesions were seen more clearly on magnetisation transfer-weighted images, with significant increase in lesion number, area and contrast, when compared with conventional T1-weighted scans.