Rapid 3D-T1rho mapping of the knee joint at 3.0T with parallel imaging.

Three-dimensional spin-lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame (3D-T1rho) with parallel imaging at 3.0T was implemented on a whole-body clinical scanner. A 3D gradient-echo sequence with a self-compensating spin-lock pulse cluster was combined with generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisitions (GRAPPA) to acquire T1rho-weighted images. 3D-T1rho maps of an agarose phantom and three healthy subjects were constructed using an eight-channel phased-array coil without parallel imaging and with parallel imaging acceleration factors of 2 and 3, in order to assess the reproducibility of the method. The coefficient of variation (CV) of the median T1rho of the agarose phantom was 0.44%, which shows excellent reproducibility. The reproducibility of in vivo 3D-T1rho maps was also investigated in three healthy subjects. The CV of the median T1rho of the patellar cartilage varied between approximately 1.1% and 4.3%. Similarly, the CV varied between approximately 2.1-5.8%, approximately 1.4-8.7%, and approximately 1.5-4.1% for the biceps femoris and lateral and medial gastrocnemius muscles, respectively. The preliminary results demonstrate that 3D-T1rho maps can be constructed with good reproducibility using parallel imaging. 3D-T1rho with parallel imaging capability is an important clinical tool for reducing both the total acquisition time and RF energy deposition at 3T.     

7.0 TMR关节软骨自旋锁定三维自旋-晶格弛豫时间成像与量化分析的实验研究

目的 建立MR关节软骨自旋锁定旋转坐标系中的自旋-晶格弛豫时间(T1ρ)三维成像技术和量化分析方法.方法 用7.0 T MR机和内径为6 cm的圆柱形鸟笼23Na-H射频线罔,采用自旋锁定自动补偿脉冲簇和三维自旋回波序列,自旋锁定时间(spin-locking time,TSL)分别为0、10、20、30、40和50 ms,自旋锁定频率带宽为440 Hz(自旋锁定磁场BsL),对6个不同浓度(1%～6%)琼脂糖凝胶体模和8个猪髌骨分别进行自旋锁定T1ρ成像扫描,建立自旋锁定T1ρ成像技术并评价其重复性.在Vnmr J图像终端上,利用自行编制的软件进行三维重组自旋锁定T1ρWI,并重构T1ρ弛豫时间图;采用人工标注的方法画感兴趣区,分别测定体模与髌骨软骨T1ρWI的信噪比(SNR)与T1ρ值.T1ρ值在各组间的对比,行单因素方差分析;软骨组织与琼脂糖体模SNR随时间对比关系的假设检验,行多因素方差分析.结果 关节软骨T1ρWI的SNR值、短自旋锁定时间采集图像的SNR值明显高于长自旋锁定时间采集的图像.在不同自旋锁定时间髌骨软骨T1ρWI,SNR值在48 4±8～95±8之间;不同自旋锁定时间,正常软骨SNR与1%琼脂糖体模的对比关系不同,当自旋锁定时间＜30 ms时,琼脂糖体模的图像SNR均低于正常软骨;＞30 ms时,正常软骨的图像SNR均低于1%的琼脂糖体模.随着琼脂糖浓度减少,不同自旋锁定时间采集的图像SNR值逐渐增加.各浓度琼脂糖凝胶体模T1ρ值测量的变异系数均小于10%,显示重复性好.髌骨关节软骨全层、表层、中间层、深层、钙化层T1ρ值测定结果分别为(68.9±6.3)、(80.7±12.8)、(65.7±7.0)、(82.4±7.7)、(69.7±6.4)ms(F=6.436,P＜0.05).T1ρ值在软骨表层和深层明显高于中间层、钙化层和软骨全层.结论 三维自旋锁定T1ρ成像技术是可行的、敏感的、特异的软骨分子成像技术,T1ρ弛豫时间图可量化测量关节软骨的分层状结构.     

3D-T1rho quantitation of patellar cartilage at 3.0T

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) T(1rho)-weighted imaging of human knee joint at 3.0T without exceeding the specific absorption rate (SAR) limits and the measurement of the baseline T(1rho) values of patellar cartilage and several muscles at the knee joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3D gradient-echo sequence with a self-compensating spin-lock pulse cluster of 250 Hz power was used to acquire 3D-T(1rho)-weighted images of the knee joint of five healthy subjects. Global and regional analysis of patellar cartilage T(1rho) were performed. Furthermore, T(1rho) of several periarticular muscles were analyzed. RESULTS: The global average T(1rho) value of the patellar cartilage varied from 39 to 43 msec. The regional average T(1rho) values varied from 38 to 42 msec, and from 42 to 44 msec for medial and lateral facets, respectively. In vivo reproducibility of average T(1rho) of patellar cartilage was found to be 5% (coefficient of variation). Similarly, the global average T(1rho) values for biceps femoris, lateral gastrocnemius, medial gastrocnemius, and sartorius varied between 31-46, 29-49, 35-48, and 32-50 msec, respectively. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated the feasibility of 3D-T(1rho)-weighted imaging of the knee joint at 3.0T without exceeding SAR limits.     

Fat-suppressed 3D-T1-weighted-echo planar imaging: comparison with fat-suppressed 3D-T1-weighted-gradient echo in imaging the cartilage of the knee.

This study was conducted to compare a three-dimensional (3D) multi-shot echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequence with fat-suppression (FS) with the 3D-fat-suppressed gradient echo (GRE-FS) sequence in imaging the cartilage of the knee. One hundred sixty-nine patients were studied prospectively. The cartilage was imaged in the sagittal plane with: (a) 3D-T1-EPI-FS and (b) 3D-T1-GRE-FS sequences using a 1T MR scanner. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of bone (b) and cartilage (c), and relative contrast (ReCon) between bone and cartilage and meniscus and cartilage were measured in 60 patients with arthroscopically normal cartilage. The imaging accuracy was assessed by comparing with linear regression analysis (length and depth) 32 defects in the cartilage of cadaveric (human and bovine) knees. The 3D-T1-EPI-FS provided better bone marrow signal suppression, better SNRc and better ReCon(bc) and ReCon(cm) (p<0.01). The 3D-T1-EPI-FS showed better accuracy concerning the depth of the defects and the 3D-T1-GRE-FS better accuracy concerning the length of the defects. In conclusion, the 3D-T1-EPI-FS pulse sequence could be included in the routine protocol in imaging the cartilage of the knee because it achieves high SNR of the cartilage and high ReCon compared to the surrounding structures, at a reduced scan time.     

Variable flip angle‐based fast three‐dimensional T1 mapping for delayed gadolinium‐enhanced MRI of cartilage of the knee: Need for B1 correction

Delayed gadolinium‐enhanced MRI of cartilage is a technique, which involves T₁ mapping to identify changes in the structural integrity of cartilage associated with osteoarthritis. Currently, the gold standard is 2D inversion recovery turbo spin echo, which suffers from long acquisition times and limited coverage. Three‐dimensional variable flip angle (VFA) is an alternate technique, which has been shown to be accurate when an estimate of T₁ is available a priori. This study validates the variable flip angle method for delayed gadolinium‐enhanced MRI of cartilage of the femoro‐tibial knee cartilage. When amplitude of (excitation) radiofrequency field inhomogeneities were minimized using nonselective pulses and amplitude of (excitation) radiofrequency field correction using an additional acquisition of a amplitude of (excitation) radiofrequency field map, the accuracy of T₁ measurements were improved, and slice‐to‐slice variations over the 3D volume were minimized. In conclusion, fast 3D T₁ mapping using the variable flip angle method with amplitude of (excitation) radiofrequency field correction appears to be an efficient and accurate method for delayed gadolinium‐enhanced MRI of cartilage of the knee. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Three-dimensional delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC) at 1.5T and 3.0T

PURPOSE: To implement and validate a three-dimensional (3D) T1 measurement technique that is suitable for delayed gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC) and can be easily implemented with clinically available pulse sequences at 1.5T and 3.0T. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 3D inversion-recovery prepared spoiled gradient-echo (IR-SPGR) imaging pulse sequence with variable TR was used to implement a 3D T1 measurement protocol. The 3D T1 measurements were validated against a gold-standard single-slice 2D IR T1 measurement protocol in both phantoms and in vivo, in both asymptomatic volunteers and volunteers with osteoarthritis (OA). RESULTS: T1 measurements in phantoms showed a statistically significant correlation between the 2D and 3D measurements at 1.5T (R2=0.993, P<0.001) and 3.0T (R2=0.996, P<0.001). In vivo application demonstrated the feasibility of using this 3D IR-SPGR sequence to evaluate the molecular status of articular cartilage throughout the knee joint with 0.63x0.63x3.0 mm spatial resolution within a 20-minute acquisition, even with the measurement parameters set for the higher T1(Gd) of cartilage at 3T (range=400-900 msec mean T1 within a region of interest (ROI) in cartilage, compared to 200-600 msec mean T1 at 1.5T). CONCLUSION: This 3D T1 measurement protocol may prove useful for the evaluation and follow-up of cartilage dGEMRIC indices in clinical studies of OA.     

Three-dimensional delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC) for in vivo evaluation of reparative cartilage after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation at 3.0T: Preliminary results

PURPOSE: To use a 3D gradient-echo (GRE) sequence with two flip angles for delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC) to evaluate relative glycosaminoglycan content of repair tissue after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a phantom study, T1-mapping based on a 3D-GRE sequence with different flip angle combinations was compared with a standard inversion recovery (IR) sequence at 3.0T. Fifteen patients were examined after MACT in the knee at "3-13 months" (group I) and "19-42 months" (group II). The delta relaxation rate (deltaR1) calculated for repair tissue and normal hyaline cartilage was measured and mean values were compared in different postoperative intervals using analysis of variance. RESULTS: The flip angle combination 35/10 degrees provided the best agreement with IR sequence for short and long T1 values. The mean deltaR1 for repair tissue was 2.49 versus 1.04 at the intact control site in group I and 1.90 compared with 0.81 in group II. Differences from repair tissue to control sites showed statistically significance for both groups; no significant difference was found between groups. CONCLUSION: The 3D dual flip angle dGEMRIC technique optimized for cartilage imaging is comparable to standard T1 IR technique for T1 mapping. Furthermore, the preliminary in vivo study demonstrates the feasibility of the technique in the evaluation of MACT patients.     

Accuracy of T1 measurement with 3-D Look-Locker technique for dGEMRIC

PURPOSE: To validate the accuracy of T1 measurement by three-dimensional Look-Locker method (3D LL) for delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC) of human subjects with and without osteoarthritis (OA), as compared with two-dimensional inversion recovery fast spin-echo (2D IR-FSE) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR sagittal images of the knees were acquired for T1 mapping in 29 subjects with standard 2D IR-FSE and 3D LL sequences 90-135 min following administration of 0.2 mmol/kg Gd-DTPA(2-). T1 maps of femoral and tibial cartilage were generated using custom software. Comparisons in T1 values between the two techniques were performed using regression analysis. RESULTS: Good agreement in T1 values between 2D IR-FSE and 3D LL was observed (R values of 0.90, and 0.85, and 0.86 for all, OA, and control subjects, respectively) when acquired within 15 min. CONCLUSION: The 3D LL sequence provides accurate T1 estimates of articular cartilage with advantages of entire joint coverage, shorter acquisition time, and a wide range of inversion times sampled within a single acquisition.     

Increased signal intensity on fat-suppressed three-dimensional T1-weighted pulse sequences in patellar tendon: magic angle effect?

Objective. To assess the frequency of increased signal intensity in the patellar tendon using three-dimensional T1-weighted MRI pulse sequences. Design and patients. Sixty patients were examined with a 1.0 T scanner (15mT/m gradient strength) using a quadrature coil. Three pulse sequences were applied in the sagittal plane: PD turbo spin echo (PD-TSE), 3D T1-weighted gradient echo with fat suppression (3D-T1-FFE-FS) and 3D T1-weighted echo planar imaging with fat suppression (3D-T1-EPI-FS). The high signal intensity areas were measured in their maximum length. The angle of the patellar tendon relative to the main field position was measured in the same slice. In eight patients with anterior knee pain, and in 11 with no anterior knee pain, a fourth T2-weighted TSE pulse sequence (T2-TSE) was obtained to rule out patellar tendinitis. Results. The correlation of the high signal intensity areas with the relative position of the tendon was found to be significant with the 3D sequences (P=0.03 for 3D-T1-FFE-FS and P=0.003 for 3D-T1-EPI-FS). The length of the high signal intensity area in the tendon was 5.4 mm with 3D-T1-FFE-FS, 4.9 mm with 3D-T1-EPI-FS and 3.1 mm with PD-TSE images. No patellar tendinitis was demonstrated on the T2-TSE images. Conclusion. The magic angle effect is commonly observed in the 3D based T1-weighted pulse sequences with fat suppression. The presence of the above sign must be recognized by radiologists, so that misdiagnosis of patellar tendinitis is avoided. Received: 31 March 2000 Revision requested: 11 July 2000 Revision received: 2 August 2000 Accepted: 26 October 2000     

MR arthrography of the hip: diagnostic performance of a dedicated water-excitation 3D double-echo steady-state sequence to detect cartilage lesions

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to compare the diagnostic performance of a dedicated cartilage MR sequence (water-excitation 3D double-echo steady-state) with a standard MR sequence (T1-weighted spin-echo) in detecting articular cartilage lesions of the hip after intraarticular injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 50 MR arthrograms of the hip joint obtained in 47 consecutive patients, a sagittal 3D double-echo steady-state sequence (TR/TE, 24/6.5; flip angle, 25 degrees ) was compared with a sagittal T1-weighted spin-echo sequence (350/14). Two musculoskeletal radiologists independently evaluated articular cartilage. Sensitivity and specificity for detecting cartilage defects were calculated for those hips that underwent open surgery (n = 21). Lesion conspicuity was retrospectively reviewed and graded between 1 (not visible) and 5 (well defined). RESULTS: At surgery, a total of 26 lesions of the acetabular (n = 20) and femoral (n = 6) cartilage were found. For the 3D double-echo steady-state and T1-weighted spin-echo sequences, sensitivities and specificities for cartilage lesion detection were 58% and 88% and 81% and 81% for reviewer 1 and 62% and 94% and 62% and 100% for reviewer 2, respectively. Lesion conspicuity was significantly superior (p = 0.036) for the 3D double-echo steady-state sequence (mean grade, 3.4) compared with the T1-weighted spin-echo sequence (mean grade, 3.0). The kappa value was fair for the 3D double-echo steady-state sequence (kappa = 0.40) and moderate for the T1-weighted spin-echo sequence (kappa = 0.55). CONCLUSION: The 3D double-echo steady-state sequence optimized for cartilage imaging improves lesion conspicuity but does not improve diagnostic performance.     

Three-dimensional cerebral contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance venography at 3.0 Tesla: initial results using highly accelerated parallel acquisition

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate a high spatial resolution 3-dimensional (3D) contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (CE-MR) venography protocol for evaluation of intracranial venous system using highly accelerated parallel imaging at 3.0 T. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients (4 male, 6 female; age, 38-76 years) with suspected cerebrovascular disease were prospectively studied on a 32-channel 3.0 T MR system. After a single intravenous contrast injection, high spatial resolution 3D CE-MR angiography of the entire supraaortic arteries was performed followed immediately by 3D cerebral CE-MR venography. By using a fast 3D gradient-recalled-echo sequence with elliptic centric k-space ordering and highly accelerated parallel acquisition (acceleration factor 3 and 2 in phase and slice encoding direction, respectively), 3D cerebral CE-MR venography was acquired with voxel dimensions of 0.7 x 0.7 x 0.8 mm in 24 seconds. Image evaluation was performed independently by 2 neuroradiologists for overall image quality, presence of noise, and artifacts. The image quality of 30 venous segments was evaluated in each subject using a 1 to 4 scoring scale. In 2 patients, catheter angiography was available for correlation. Statistical analysis of data was performed by using Wilcoxon rank sum test and kappa coefficient. RESULTS: All studies were determined to be of diagnostic image quality by both observers. The majority (90%) of cerebral venous segments were evaluated to be of diagnostic image quality (median, 3; range, 3-4) by both readers and with excellent interobserver agreement (kappa = 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.79-0.93). One meningioma invading the superior sagittal sinus and one superior sagittal sinus fistula were detected subsequently confirmed by conventional angiography. CONCLUSION: High spatial resolution 3D cerebral CE-MR venography is feasible and promising. Using a 32-channel 3.0 T system combined with multichannel array coils effectively supports highly accelerated parallel imaging, enabling subsequent acquisition of both high spatial resolution CE-MR angiography and CE-MR venography after a single contrast injection without impairing the image quality. More extensive clinical studies are warranted to establish the range of applications and confirm the accuracy of this technique.     

In vivo 3T spiral imaging based multi-slice T(1rho) mapping of knee cartilage in osteoarthritis.

T(1rho) describes the spin-lattice relaxation in the rotating frame and has been proposed for detecting damage to the cartilage collagen-proteoglycan matrix in osteoarthritis. In this study, a multi-slice T(1rho) imaging method for knee cartilage was developed using spin-lock techniques and a spiral imaging sequence. The adverse effect of T(1) regrowth during the multi-slice acquisition was eliminated by RF cycling. Agarose phantoms with different concentrations, 10 healthy volunteers, and 9 osteoarthritis patients were scanned at 3T. T(1rho) values decreased as agarose concentration increased. T(1rho) values obtained with imaging methods were compared with those obtained with spectroscopic methods. T(1rho) values obtained during multi-slice acquisition were validated with those obtained in a single slice acquisition. Reproducibility was assessed using the average coefficient of variation of median T(1rho), which was 0.68% in phantoms and 4.8% in healthy volunteers. There was a significant difference (P = 0.002) in the average T(1rho) within patellar and femoral cartilage between controls (45.04 +/- 2.59 ms) and osteoarthritis patients (53.06 +/- 4.60 ms). A significant correlation was found between T(1rho) and T(2); however, the difference of T(2) was not significant between controls and osteoarthritis patients. The results suggest that T(1rho) relaxation times may be a promising clinical tool for osteoarthritis detection and treatment monitoring.     

Repeatability of T1‐quantification in dGEMRIC for three different acquisition techniques: Two‐dimensional inversion recovery,three‐dimensional look locker,and three‐dimensional variable flip angle

Purpose:

To evaluate the repeatability of the dGEMRIC (delayed gadolinium enhanced MRI of cartilage) method in osteoarthritis‐prone knee joints for three different T1 quantification techniques: two‐dimensional inversion recovery (2D‐IR), three‐dimensional Look‐Locker (3D‐LL), and three‐dimensional variable flip angle (3D‐VFA).

Materials and Methods:

Nine subjects were examined twice, with a 2‐week interval, using all three measurement techniques. Four regions of interest were defined in the central medial and lateral femoral cartilage. The repeatability was evaluated for each measurement technique. For the 3D techniques, the variation between different slices was also evaluated.

Results:

Repeatability expressed by root‐mean‐square coefficient of variation (CV_RMS) showed similar results for 2D‐IR and 3D‐LL (5.4–8.4%). For 3D‐VFA CV_RMS was higher (9.3–15.2%). Intraclass correlation coefficient showed both 2D‐IR and 3D‐LL reliability to be moderate, while 3D‐VFA reliability was low. Inter‐slice CV_RMS and ICC was of the same magnitude as the repeatability. No clear differences could be interpreted between the condyles.

Conclusion:

Both 2D‐IR and 3D‐LL perform well in generating repeatable dGEMRIC results, while 3D‐VFA results are somewhat inferior. Furthermore, repeatability results in this study are similar to previously published results for healthy subjects. Finally, the positioning of the analyzed images is crucial to generate reliable repeatability results. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;31:1203–1209. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

High-resolution T1 mapping of the brain at 3T with driven equilibrium single pulse observation of T1 with high-speed incorporation of RF field inhomogeneities (DESPOT1-HIFI)

PURPOSE: To investigate an alternative approach to correct for flip angle inaccuracies in the driven equilibrium single pulse observation of T1 (DESPOT1) T1 mapping method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: While DESPOT1 is a robust method for rapid whole-brain voxelwise mapping of the longitudinal relaxation time, the approach is inherently sensitive to inaccuracies in the transmitted flip angle, defined by the B1 field, which become more severe with increased field. Here we propose an extension of the DESPOT1 technique, involving the additional acquisition of an inversion-prepared SPGR image alongside the conventional multiangle DESPOT1 data. From these combined data both B1 and T1 may be determined with high accuracy and precision. The method is evaluated at 3T with phantom and in vivo imaging experiments, with derived T1 estimates compared with values calculated from multiple inversion time inversion recovery data. RESULTS: The method provides robust correction of flip angle variations, with less than 5% error compared with reference values for T1 between 300 msec and 2500 msec. CONCLUSIONS: The described approach, dubbed DESPOT1-HIFI, permits whole-brain T1 mapping at 3T, with 1 mm(3) isotropic voxels, in a clinically feasible time (approximately 10 minutes) with T1 accuracy greater than 5% and with high precision.     

Cartilage imaging at 3.0T with gradient refocused acquisition in the steady-state (GRASS) and IDEAL fat-water separation

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the feasibility of evaluating the articular cartilage of the knee joint at 3.0T using gradient refocused acquisition in the steady-state (GRASS) and iterative decomposition of water and fat with echo asymmetry and least-squares estimation (IDEAL) fat-water separation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bloch equation simulations and a clinical pilot study (n = 10 knees) were performed to determine the influence of flip angle of the IDEAL-GRASS sequence on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of cartilage and synovial fluid and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between cartilage and synovial fluid at 3.0T. The optimized IDEAL-GRASS sequence was then performed on 30 symptomatic patients as part of the routine 3.0T knee MRI examination at our institution. RESULTS: The optimal flip angle was 50 degrees for IDEAL-GRASS cartilage imaging, which maximized contrast between cartilage and synovial fluid. The IDEAL-GRASS sequence consistently produced high-quality fat- and water-separated images of the knee with bright synovial fluid and 0.39 x 0.67 x 1.0 mm resolution in 5 minutes. IDEAL-GRASS images had high cartilage SNR and high contrast between cartilage and adjacent joint structures. The IDEAL-GRASS sequence provided excellent visualization of cartilage lesions in all patients. CONCLUSION: The IDEAL-GRASS sequence shows promise for use as a morphologic cartilage imaging sequence at 3.0T.     

Application of the keyhole technique to T1rho relaxation mapping

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the feasibility of using the keyhole technique to minimize error in a least squares regression estimation of T(1rho) from magnetic resonance (MR) image data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The keyhole method of partial k-space acquisition was simulated using data from a virtual phantom and MR images of ex vivo bovine and in vivo human cartilage. T(1rho) maps were reconstructed from partial k-space (keyhole) image data using linear regression, and error was measured with relation to T(1rho) maps created from the full k-space images. An error model was created based on statistical theory and fitted to the error measurements. RESULTS: T(1rho) maps created from keyhole images of a human knee produced levels of error on the order of 1% while reducing standard image acquisition time approximately by half. The resultant errors were strongly correlated with expectations derived from statistical theory. CONCLUSION: The error model can be used to analytically optimize the keyhole method in order to minimize the overall error in the estimation of the relaxation parameter of interest. The keyhole method can be generalized to significantly expedite all forms of relaxation mapping.     

Multivoxel 3D proton spectroscopy in the brain at 1.5 versus 3.0 T: signal-to-noise ratio and resolution comparison.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The new 3.0-T imagers theoretically yield double the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spectral resolution of 1.5-T instruments. To assess the possible improvements for multivoxel 3D proton MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in the human brain, we compared the SNR and spectral resolution performance with both field strengths. METHODS: Three-dimensional 1H-MRS was performed in four 21-29-year-old subjects at 1.5 and 3.0 T. In each, a volume of interest of 9 x 9 x 3 cm was obtained within a field of view of 16 x 16 x 3 cm that was partitioned into four (0.75-cm-thick) 16 x 16-voxel sections, yielding 324 (0.75-cm3) signal voxels per examination. RESULTS: In an acquisition protocol of approximately 27 min, average voxel SNRs increased 23-46% at 3.0 versus 1.5 T in the same brain regions of the same subjects. SNRs for N-acetylaspartate, creatine, and choline, respectively, were as follows: 15.3 +/- 4, 8.2 +/- 2.2, and 8.0 +/- 2.0 at 1.5 T and 22.4 +/- 7.0, 10.1 +/- 3.5, and 10.1 +/- 3.6 at 3.0 T. Spectral resolution (metabolite linewidths) were 3.5 +/- 0.5 Hz at 1.5 T versus 6.1 +/- 1.5 Hz at 3.0 T in approximately 900 voxels. Spectral baselines were noticeably flatter at 3.0 T. CONCLUSION: Expected gains in SNR and spectral resolution were not fully realized in a realistic experiment because of intrinsic and controllable factors. However, the 23-46% improvements obtained enable more reliable peak-area estimation and an 1H-MRS acquisition approximately 50% shorter at 3.0 versus 1.5 T.     

Comparison of a 28-channel receive array coil and quadrature volume coil for morphologic imaging and T2 mapping of knee cartilage at 7T

Purpose:

To compare a new birdcage‐transmit, 28‐channel receive array (28‐Ch) coil and a quadrature volume coil for 7T morphologic MRI and T2 mapping of knee cartilage.

Materials and Methods:

The right knees of 10 healthy subjects were imaged on a 7T whole body magnetic resonance (MR) scanner using both coils. 3D fast low‐angle shot (3D‐FLASH) and multiecho spin‐echo (MESE) sequences were implemented. Cartilage signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), thickness, and T2 values were assessed.

Results:

SNR/CNR was 17%–400% greater for the 28‐Ch compared to the quadrature coil (P ≤ 0.005). Bland–Altman plots show mean differences between measurements of tibial/femoral cartilage thickness and T2 values obtained with each coil to be small (?0.002 ± 0.009 cm / 0.003 ± 0.011 cm) and large (?6.8 ± 6.7 msec/?8.2 ± 9.7 msec), respectively. For the 28‐Ch coil, when parallel imaging with acceleration factors (AF) 2, 3, and 4 was performed SNR retained was: 62%–69%, 51%–55%, and 39%–45%.

Conclusion:

A 28‐Ch knee coil provides increased SNR/CNR for 7T cartilage morphologic imaging and T2 mapping. Coils should be switched with caution during clinical studies because T2 values may differ. The greater SNR of the 28‐Ch coil could be used to perform parallel imaging with AF2 and obtain similar SNR as the quadrature coil. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;441‐448. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

     

延迟Gd-DTPA增强MR软骨成像:全关节软骨成像的可行性分析

目的：探讨多层IR-TSE和可变翻转角三维FLASH序列实现全关节软骨t1值测量的可行性。材料和方法：针对模型（不同浓度的稀释Gd-DTPA溶液）和离体牛软骨,分别利用多层IR-TSE和可变翻转角三维FLASH序列进行t1值测量。以单层IR-TSE测量结果为参照标准,验证上述两种技术的可行性。结果：在模型中,多层IR-TSE与单层IR-TSE测量值的相关系数为1.000（P〈0.001）;三维FLASH与单层IR-TSE测量值的相关系数为0.997（P〈0.001）。在离体牛软骨延迟钆增强MR软骨成像中,单层IR-TSE、多层IR-TSE和三维FLASH均显示胰蛋白酶处理侧软骨的t1值显著低于对照侧软骨。多层IR-TSE与单层IR-TSE相比较,对照侧、处理侧和总体软骨t1值的相关系数分别为0.821（P=0.012）、0.968（P=0.001）和0.953（P=0.001）;三维FLASH与单层IR-TSE相比较,对照侧、处理侧和总体软骨t1值的相关系数分别为0.199（P=0.637）、0.757（P=0.030）和0.755（P=0.001）。结论：多层IR-TSE和可变翻转角三维FLASH序列均可用于全关节软骨的t1值测量。     

Pulmonary MR perfusion at 3.0 Tesla using a blood pool contrast agent: Initial results in a swine model

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate the technical feasibility of a highly accelerated pulmonary MR perfusion protocol at 3.0T using a blood pool contrast agent in a swine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve pigs underwent time-resolved pulmonary MR angiography (MRA) on a 3.0T MR system under anesthesia and controlled mechanical ventilation. After intravenous injection of 0.05 mmol/kg of Gadomer-17 at 4 mL/second, a fast time-resolved MRA sequence with temporal echo-sharing (three segmented k-space) and highly accelerated parallel acquisition was used to acquire 3D data sets with an in-plane resolution of 1 x 1 mm(2) (slice thickness = 6 mm) and temporal resolution of one second. Image quality was evaluated independently by two radiologists, and quantitative analysis of perfusion parameters was performed using pre-released perfusion software. RESULTS: All studies were identified by both readers as having diagnostic image quality (range = 2-3, median = 3) and there was excellent interobserver agreement (kappa = 0.89; 95% CI = 0.83, 0.95). A quantitative analysis of perfusion indices was performed, with excellent overall goodness-of-fit (chi(2) value = 1.4, degree of freedom (DF) = 1). Successfully derived perfusion parameters included the time to peak (TTP, 5.1 +/- 0.7 second), mean transit time (MTT, 6.6 +/- 0.9 second), maximal signal intensity (MSI, 1051.2 +/- 718.9 arbitrary units [A.U.]), and maximal upslope of the curve (MUS, 375.9 +/- 263.4 A.U./second). CONCLUSION: 3.0T pulmonary MR perfusion using a blood pool contrast agent in a swine model is feasible. The higher available signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at 3.0T and the high T1 relaxivity of Gadomer-17 effectively support highly accelerated parallel acquisition, and improve the performance of time-resolved pulmonary MRA.