Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R L Ehman

Publications and source records attributed to R L Ehman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Tissue characterization using magnetic resonance elastography: preliminary results.

The well-documented effectiveness of palpation as a diagnostic technique for detecting cancer and other diseases has provided motivation for developing imaging techniques for noninvasively evaluating the mechanical properties of tissue. A recently described approach for elasticity imaging, using propagating acoustic shear waves and phase-contrast MRI, has been called magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). The purpose of this work was to conduct preliminary studies to define methods for using MRE as a tool for addressing the paucity of quantitative tissue mechanical property data in the literature. Fresh animal liver and kidney tissue specimens were evaluated with MRE at multiple shear wave frequencies. The influence of specimen temperature and orientation on measurements of stiffness was studied in skeletal muscle. The results demonstrated that all of the materials tested (liver, kidney, muscle and tissue-simulating gel) exhibit systematic dependence of shear stiffness on shear rate. These data are consistent with a viscoelastic model of tissue mechanical properties, allowing calculation of two independent tissue properties from multiple-frequency MRE data: shear modulus and shear viscosity. The shear stiffness of tissue can be substantially affected by specimen temperature. The results also demonstrated evidence of shear anisotropy in skeletal muscle but not liver tissue. The measured shear stiffness in skeletal muscle was found to depend on both the direction of propagation and polarization of the shear waves.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Reliability of water proton chemical shift temperature calibration for focused ultrasound ablation therapy.

Our purpose in this work was to assess the reliability of the calibration coefficient for magnetic resonance water proton chemical shift temperature mapping. Over a six month period, the calibration coefficient was measured 15 times in several different phantoms. A highly linear relationship between water proton chemical shift and temperature change was found. The average temperature calibration coefficient determined from all studies was 0.009+/-0.001 ppm/degrees C. Four of the 15 studies were conducted on the same day using the same phantom. The average temperature calibration coefficient of these four studies was 0.0096+/-0.0001 ppm/degrees C.

Biophysical Phenomena↗
PubMed2000

Three-dimensional contrast-enhanced MR angiography with real-time fluoroscopic triggering: design specifications and technical reliability in 330 patient studies.

Technical reliability was determined for triggering three-dimensional (3D) contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) angiography with MR fluoroscopy. Technical requirements for high reliability were also identified. Reliability was evaluated in 330 consecutive patient studies of the neck, thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. Contrast material arrival was detected fluoroscopically in 325 of the 330 studies (98.5%), and the 3D sequence was successfully triggered in 321 of 330 studies (97.3%). Fluoroscopic triggering of centrically encoded 3D MR angiographic acquisitions is a highly reliable means of obtaining 3D MR angiograms with high spatial resolution.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2000

Autocorrection in MR imaging: adaptive motion correction without navigator echoes.

A technique for automatic retrospective correction of motion artifacts on magnetic resonance (MR) images was developed that uses only the raw (complex) data from the MR imager and requires no knowledge of patient motion during the acquisition. The algorithm was tested on coronal images of the rotator cuff in a series of 144 patients, and the improvements in image quality were similar to those achieved with navigator echoes. The results demonstrate that autocorrection can significantly reduce motion artifacts in a technically demanding MR imaging application.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1999

Contrast-enhanced 3D MR breathhold imaging of porcine coronary arteries using fluoroscopic localization and bolus triggering.

The purpose of this study was to develop cardiac-gated contrast-enhanced 3D MRA for imaging the coronary arteries of pigs. Each major coronary artery was imaged individually in a single 3D slab in one breathhold. To permit acquisition within a breathhold, a limited number of partitions (12-16) were collected in a single, oblique, thin 3D slab. Typical resolution of the acquisition was 0.8 (X) x 1.6 (Y) x 1.6 (Z) mm. MR fluoroscopic localization was used to establish the 3D double-oblique orientation. Real-time MR fluoroscopy was also used to instantaneously trigger the 3D scan after detection in the aortic root of the intravenously administered contrast bolus. Six pigs were used in the study. Each pig was scanned on two separate days. Images routinely show the majority of the length of the three principal coronary arteries. Magn Reson Med 42:1159-1165, 1999.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

A prospective approach to correct for inter-image head rotation in fMRI.

Global head motion occurring between successive image acquisitions during a functional MRI time series can corrupt the signal of physiologic brain activation, potentially invalidating interpretation of the final activation map from that particular fMRI time series. By approximating the head as a rigid body, multiaxial global head motion can be decomposed into orthogonal linear and rotational components. This paper describes a method using orbital navigator echoes to provide prospective correction for both through-plane and in-plane inter-image head rotation in functional MRI. The dynamic detection and correction of rotation can be performed in <100 ms. Phantom experiments demonstrate accurate correction of rotational motion over a range of +/-0.36 degrees to +/-12 degrees. Imaging studies in volunteers document the feasibility of real-time prospective correction of rotational motion in vivo. Using a modified receiver operating characteristic method, motion-corrected functional MRI sensorimotor studies incorporating deliberate head rotations are shown to be superior to functional MRI time series acquired under similar conditions but without motion correction.

Artifacts↗
PubMed1998

Two-dimensional multishot echo-planar coronary MR angiography.

This work presents a two-dimensional (2D) multishot echo-planar imaging (EPI) technique for magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of individual coronary arteries in a 17-heartbeat breath-hold. Conventional 2D and 3D segmented gradient-echo (GRE) coronary MRA requires repetitive excitation of the same slice or slab within each cardiac cycle, which can result in reduced blood signal and in motion artifacts. Two-dimensional multishot EPI can address these limitations by eliminating multiple excitations per cardiac cycle, using large flip-angle excitations, markedly reducing the data acquisition window, and performing oblique multislice 2D imaging. The goal of this study was to assess the feasibility of breath-hold 2D multishot EPI for multislice coronary MRA and to demonstrate its reliability by consistently acquiring high-quality images of the coronary arteries in a series of 16 volunteers.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

MR-guided focused-ultrasound ablation system: determination of precision and accuracy in preparation for clinical trials.

The authors analyzed the accuracy and precision of focal-spot placement with a magnetic resonance-guided, focused-ultrasound system. Average absolute accuracy errors ranged from 0.2 to 1.0 mm, and average absolute individual precision errors ranged from 0.2 to 0.3 mm. To prevent damage to vital structures, single sonications and sonication grids should be placed beyond approximately 2 and 1 mm, respectively.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging↗
PubMed1998

Peroneal tendon injuries.

Injury to the peroneal tendons is a frequently overlooked cause of persistent lateral ankle pain after trauma. Peroneal tendon anatomy, biomechanics, diagnostic studies, and traumatic disorders were reviewed.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Infraclavicular brachial plexus block: parasagittal anatomy important to the coracoid technique.

UNLABELLED: Infraclavicular brachial plexus block is a technique well suited to prolonged continuous catheter use. We used a coracoid approach to this block to create an easily understood technique. We reviewed the magnetic resonance images of the brachial plexus from 20 male and 20 female patients. Using scout films, the parasagittal section 2 cm medial to the coracoid process was identified. Along this oblique section, we located a point approximately 2 cm caudad to the coracoid process on the skin of the anterior chest wall. From this point, we determined simulated needle direction to contact the neurovascular bundle and measured depth. At the skin entry site, the direct posterior insertion of a needle will make contact with the cords of the brachial plexus where they surround the second part of the axillary artery in all images. The mean (range) distance (depth along the needle shaft) from the skin to the anterior wall of the axillary artery was 4.24 +/- 1.49 cm (2.25-7.75 cm) in men and 4.01 +/- 1.29 cm (2.25-6.5 cm) in women. Hopefully, this study will facilitate the use of this block. IMPLICATIONS: We sought a consistent, palpable landmark for facilitation of the infraclavicular brachial plexus block. We used magnetic resonance images of the brachial plexus to determine the depth and needle orientation needed to contact the brachial plexus. Hopefully, this study will facilitate the use of this block.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Fluoroscopically triggered contrast-enhanced three-dimensional MR angiography with elliptical centric view order: application to the renal arteries.

PURPOSE: To determine the reliability of obtaining arterial-phase, contrast-material-enhanced three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance (MR) angiograms of the renal arteries by using a technique that combines two-dimensional real-time MR fluoroscopy and a 3D MR angiographic acquisition with elliptical centric view order. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive patients suspected of having renal artery disease were evaluated with the fluoroscopically triggered technique by using a mean dose of 0.18 mmol/kg gadoteridol. Left renal vein suppression, inferior vena cava suppression, motion artifact, and image quality for depiction of the renal arteries were each evaluated on a five-point scale (1 = best). The findings were compared with those of another 25 consecutive patients who underwent conventional gadolinium-enhanced 3D MR angiography. RESULTS: The fluoroscopically triggered technique produced 4.6 times less left renal vein enhancement than did the conventional method (P < .01). With the fluoroscopically triggered technique, visualization of the renal arteries was adequate for diagnosis in 24 patients (96%) and the overall result (score of 1-3 for all criteria) was of good quality in 22 patients (88%). CONCLUSION: With this fluoroscopically triggered MR angiographic technique, high-quality, arterial phase, relatively motion immune angiograms can be routinely obtained.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The shoulder: adaptive motion correction of MR images.

PURPOSE: To evaluate an adaptive-motion-correction technique to reduce global motion in shoulder magnetic resonance (MR) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the adaptive-motion-correction technique, interleaved navigator echoes are used to provide a measure of view-to-view displacement along the craniocaudal direction for each image echo in the acquisition. The information is then retrospectively applied to the k-space data to correct for global shoulder motion. This algorithm was evaluated in a series of 143 consecutive patient shoulder examinations by comparing the original image set for each patient with the same image set after retrospective correction by means of this algorithm. RESULTS: The average amplitude of craniocaudal motion was 1.4 mm. Image degradation due to motion was apparent in 100 (70%) of the 143 examinations. Application of the adaptive-motion-correction technique improved image quality in 73 (73%) of these 100 examinations or 51% of all 143 examinations. CONCLUSION: Adaptive motion correction improved image quality in approximately three-quarters of the examinations in which motion was present.

Humans↗
PubMed1996

Multiple breathhold 3D time-of-flight MR angiography of the renal arteries.

A technique is described for angiographic imaging of the renal arteries with acquisition performed over several periods of suspended respiration. The 3D Fourier transform (FT) gradient-echo angiographic sequence uses magnetization preparation and appropriately chosen delay times for background nulling and time-of-flight enhancement of the vasculature. The sequence was applied to 10 volunteers, each of whom was imaged in three ways: (i) over a series of breathholds in which feedback was provided to enable reproducible breathholding; (ii) over a series of breathholds with no feedback; and (iii) over continuous respiration. Results were evaluated by measuring the transverse extent of the well-delineated renal vasculature and by noting the distal extent of the vasculature branching (main, segmental, and interlobar branches). The transverse extent of renal vasculature visible with breathhold feedback, breathholding, and free breathing was 6.1 +/- 0.9 cm, 5.0 +/- 1.8 cm, and 4.0 +/- 1.4 cm, respectively (mean +/- SD). Breathhold feedback enabled visualization of segmental renal arteries bilaterally in all 10 volunteers.

Fourier Analysis↗
PubMed1996

Algorithms for extracting motion information from navigator echoes.

Algorithms to reliably detect motion in navigator echoes are crucial to many MRI motion suppression techniques. The accuracy of these algorithms is affected by noise and deformation of navigator echo profile caused by physiologic motion. This study compared the performance of algorithms based on correlation and least squares for extracting displacement information from motion-monitoring navigator echoes, using computer simulation and in vivo imaging. The least squares algorithm was determined to be of higher accuracy than the correlation algorithm against errors caused by noise and profile deformation.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1996

Magnetic resonance imaging of transverse acoustic strain waves.

We describe a phase contrast based MRI technique with high sensitivity to cyclic displacement that is capable of quantitatively imaging acoustic strain waves in tissue-like materials. A formalism for considering gradient waveforms as basis functions to measure arbitrary cyclic motion waveforms is introduced. Experiments with tissue-like agarose gel phantoms show that it is possible to measure small cyclic displacements at a submicron level by an appropriate choice of the applied gradient basis function and to use this capability to observe the spatial and temporal pattern of displacements caused by acoustic strain waves. The propagation characteristics of strain waves are determined by the mechanical properties of the media. It is therefore possible to use this technique to noninvasively estimate material properties such as elastic modulus.

Acoustics↗