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Design and implementation of magnetization transfer pulse sequences for clinical use.

The transfer of magnetization between a free and a bound pool of spins is described in terms of the respective longitudinal relaxation times and the life times of spins in each pool. The effect of an off resonance radiofrequency (RF) pulse in producing saturation in the bound pool and a consequent decrease in both the available longitudinal magnetization and the T1 of spins in the free pool is described. The effects of increasing duration of the saturating RF pulse on image pixel signal intensity were used to determine values for the decrease in both T1 and the available magnetization in gray and white matter of the brain as well as in muscle, fat, and CSF. At 0.15 T the available magnetization of muscle was reduced by approximately 60% and its T1 was decreased from 350 to 150 ms. The available magnetization of white and gray matter was reduced by 40% and their values of T1 were reduced by 80-110 ms. The reduction in available magnetization was used to increase contrast on proton density weighted or T2-weighted SE pulse sequences. These changes were also used to design inversion recovery (IR) pulse sequences with particular contrast properties. A short inversion time (TI) magnetization transfer (MT) IR (MT-STIR) pulse sequence was used to reduce the signal from normal muscle to zero to produce an angiographic effect in the leg. Increased tissue contrast was observed with a T2-weighted (MT-SE) sequence in a patient with bilateral cerebral infarction and with an MT-IR pulse sequence in a patient who had an intracranial hematoma. Three patients with cerebral tumors showed high lesion contrast with MT-STIR sequences. Components within two tumors were changed to different degrees by MT and in one case change in the brain attributable to recent radiotherapy treatment was only identified with an MT-STIR sequence. Magnetization transfer can be used to manipulate both the available longitudinal magnetization and the T1 of normal and abnormal tissues. The changes in tissue contrast produced by this can be very substantial and are likely to be of importance in clinical imaging.

Adult↗

Depth pulse sequences for surface coils: spatial localization and T1 measurements.

The depth pulse sequences theta;[2 theta(+/- x, +/- y)]2 and 2 theta;theta(+/- x);[2 theta(+/- x, +/- y)]2 have been implemented with a 20 mm diameter two-turn surface coil operating at 31P resonance (89.96 MHz). In these sequences theta refers to the pi/2 rf pulse at the center of the sensitive region of the coil, +/- x and +/- y denote the four orthogonal phases of the rf pulses, and ";" represents an optional brief delay (e.g., 4 microseconds) between pulses to facilitate switching between different phases. Localization of the sensitive region was demonstrated with phantom samples by in vivo monitoring of rat livers and detection of necrotic regions of subcutaneously implanted tumors. The inversion-recovery pulse sequence, 2 theta-tau-theta(+/- x);[2 theta(+/- x, +/- y)]2, where tau is a variable delay, was employed to measure the spin-lattice relaxation time of a selected region, which could be varied by changing the pulse width and the size of the surface coil.

Animals↗

Measurement of acoustic noise during MR imaging: evaluation of six "worst-case" pulse sequences.

PURPOSE: To assess acoustic noise levels for ambient noise and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 1.5 T during use of six "worst-case" pulse sequences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acoustic noise measurements were obtained at the entrance, center, and exit of the magnet bore of the MR system by means of a specially modified device that is unaffected by electromagnetic radiation. RESULTS: The highest ambient noise level was 73 dB at both the entrance and exit of the magnet bore (A-weighted scale). The highest noise levels during MR imaging occurred during use of a gradient-echo (GRE) pulse sequence and was 102 dB at the entrance and exit of the magnet bore and 103 dB at the center (A-weighted scale). CONCLUSIONS: MR imaging performed with the worst-case pulse sequences did not produce noise levels that exceeded federal guidelines. Noise levels were, however, high enough to impair oral communication and annoy patients. Thus, techniques to attenuate acoustic noise and allow improved operator-patient communication should be used during MR imaging, especially during use of GRE pulse sequences.

Acoustics↗

Image contrast and pulse sequences in urinary tract magnetic resonance imaging.

Since image contrast in urinary tract proton magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) depends on both intrinsic properties of the imaged tissue and the imaging technique, it is important to understand the principles underlying image production, both while performing urinary tract MRI and when interpreting the images. This paper reviews briefly the major characteristics of tissue that can produce image contrast: mobile proton density, tissue motion, and relaxation times. It also describes the principles by which these factors, together with the choice of pulse sequence, affect image appearance. The specific pulse sequences described include the spin-echo and inversion recovery sequences; the influence of repetition time, echo delay, and inversion time are also described. Although empiric data regarding the best pulse sequences to use for all types and sites of pathology in the urinary tract are not complete, knowledge of the characteristics of normal tissue and the major sorts of pathologic change permit one to make general conclusions about the appropriate choice of pulse sequences.

Humans↗

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 (15 mT/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.

Adolescent↗

Pulse sequences in lumbar spine imaging.

A host of different pulse sequences has been applied to MR imaging of the spine. As the routine evaluation of the spine has become quite standardized, much of the recent development has resulted in minor refinements of this process. This article outlines the pulse sequences commonly used for routine MR imaging of the lumbar spine and provides a critique of the newer sequences and the modifications of the conventional techniques.

Artifacts↗

Observation of the terminal methyl group in fatty acids of the linolenic series by a new 1H NMR pulse sequence providing spectral editing and solvent suppression. Application to excised frog muscle and rat brain.

A new 1H NMR pulse sequence is described that combines water suppression with the selective observation of signals from coupled spin systems. The pulse sequence is easy to set up and compensates for pulse width inhomogeneity in the biological sample. Suppression of the water signal is achieved by pulses that return the water spins to their equilibrium position; spectral editing is based on the J modulation present in spin-echo spectra and its inhibition by coherent decoupling at one of the resonances of the spin system of interest. The pulse sequence, which was designed for 1H NMR spectroscopy of tissue, was tested at 470 MHz on excised frog muscle and rat brain. The lactate methyl resonance of caffeine-treated frog sartorius muscle was observed selectively by irradiation at the position of its alcoholic proton. The terminal methyl signal of linolenic acid, along with other fatty acids of the linolenic series (first double bond in the omega-3 position), was observed selectively by irradiation at the position of its omega-1 methylene group. 1H NMR spectra of rat brain were edited to reveal the terminal methyl of either linolenic series or all other fatty acids. The results suggest that the terminal methyl groups of fatty acids of the linolenic series (mostly docosahexaenoic acid, 22:6) have higher mobility than those of all other fatty acids.

Animals↗

Detection of subarachnoid hemorrhage at acute and subacute/chronic stages: comparison of four magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequences and computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has traditionally been diagnosed by computed tomography (CT); however, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) modality currently used to detect acute SAH. CT is insensitive in the detection of subacute or chronic SAH. The purpose of this study was to compare 4 MRI pulse sequences and CT in the detection of SAH in acute and subacute-to-chronic stages. METHODS: From 2001-2003, we collected data for 22 patients (12 men and 10 women, aged 35-80 years) with SAH due to ruptured aneurysm (n = 11), trauma (3), or unknown origin (8). All patients underwent MRI and CT examination, with an interval of less than 12 hours between the 2 procedures. We divided patients into 2 groups according to the time from symptom onset to MRI evaluation: patients with MRI performed < or = 5 days post-ictus had acute-stage illness, whereas patients with MRI performed from day 6-30 post-ictus had a subacute-to-chronic condition. MRI (1.5-T) pulse sequences comprised spin-echo T1-weighted, fast spin-echo T2-weighted, FLAIR, and gradient-echo (GE) T2*-weighted images. RESULTS: In the acute-stage group, SAH was seen as an area of high signal intensity compared with surrounding cerebrospinal fluid in 36.4% of cases on T1-weighted images, and in 100% on FLAIR images; low signal intensities were seen in 18.2% of cases on T2-weighted images, and in 90.9% on GE T2*-weighted images. High-attenuated SAH was seen on CT in 90.9% of cases. FLAIR (p = 0.008), GE T2*-weighted images (p = 0.012) and CT images (p = 0.012) were all statistically significant indicators of acute SAH. In the subacute/chronic-stage group, SAH was detected on T1-weighted images (36.4% of cases), FLAIR (33.3%), T2-weighted images (9.1%), GE T2*-weighted images (100%), and CT (45.5%). GE T2*-weighted images were significantly superior (p = 0.001) to other MRI pulse sequences and CT as indicators of subacute-to-chronic SAH. CONCLUSION: FLAIR and GE T2* MRI pulse sequences, and CT scans, are all statistically significant indicators of acute SAH. GE T2*-weighted images are statistically significant indicators of subacute-to-chronic SAH, whereas other MRI pulse sequences, and CT scans, are not.

Acute Disease↗

MR pulse sequences for selective relaxation time measurements: a phantom study.

The accuracy of relaxation time measurements of spectroscopic inversion recovery and CPMG multi-echo pulse sequences together with ISIS and stimulated echo-pulse methods have been tested on a reference phantom (test object no. 5, of the EEC Concerted Research Project). For the measurements a Siemens Magnetom wholebody magnetic resonance scanner operating at 1.5 Tesla was used. For comparison six imaging pulse sequences for relaxation time measurements were tested on the same phantom. The spectroscopic pulse sequences all had an accuracy better than 10% of the reference values.

Humans↗

In vivo quantification of T1rho using a multislice spin-lock pulse sequence.

A multislice spin-lock (MS-SL) pulse sequence is implemented on a clinical scanner to acquire multiple images with spin-lock-generated contrast of the knee joints of six healthy human subjects. The MS-SL sequence produces images with T1rho contrast with an additional factor of intrinsic T2rho weighting, which hinders direct measurement of T1rho. A method is presented to compensate the MS-SL-generated data with regard to T2rho in an effort to accurately calculate multislice T1rho maps in a feasible experimental time. The T2rho-compensated multislice T1rho maps produced errors in the measurement of T1rho in healthy patellar cartilage of approximately 5% compared to the gold standard measurement of T1rho acquired with single-slice spin-lock pulse sequence. The MS-SL sequence has potential as an important clinical tool for the acquisition of multislice T1rho-weighted images and/or quantitative multislice T1rho maps.

Adult↗

Fast low-angle dual spin-echo (FLADE): a new robust pulse sequence for structural imaging of trabecular bone.

Mechanical strength and fracture resistance of trabecular bone (TB) are largely determined by the structural arrangement of individual trabeculae. Fast 3D spin-echo approaches are preferable to gradient echoes in that they are less sensitive to local induced gradients at the bone/marrow interface caused by magnetic susceptibility difference between the two tissues. FLASE is a 3D pulse sequence that serves this purpose. Here, we present a new pulse sequence dubbed FLADE (fast low-angle dual spin-echo) that overcomes some of the limitations inherent to FLASE, such as sensitivity to artifactual stimulated echoes. The double-echo sequence features a flip angle <90 degrees allowing for TR << T(1). The second phase-reversal pulse has the dual function of creating a second echo and restoring inverted longitudinal magnetization. The prolonged TR, made possible by sampling only half of k(z)-space, is used to collect navigator echoes in adjacent slabs for sensing subpixel translational displacements. FLADE is shown to provide SNR comparable to FLASE while having narrower point-spread function and being more robust to imperfections in the nonselective 180 degree pulses. Structural parameters derived from the in vivo images with the two pulse sequences are highly correlated, therefore suggesting that clinical data obtained with either pulse sequence can be merged.

Bone and Bones↗

New 3D NMR Pulse Sequences for Characterization of Polymer Chain End Structures

A series of three-dimensional (3D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) pulse sequences, utilizing pulsed-field gradients (PFG) techniques, were developed or adapted from biological experiments for applications in the characterization of the structures of polymers and other heteroatom-containing organic materials, in much the same way that the data from multiple 3D NMR experiments have been used in biological structure determination. This initial Communication describes variations of an 1H/X/Y chemical shift correlation (HXY) experiment, and an HCX sequence (Y = 13C) is combined with 13C homonuclear isotropic mixing to generate new pulse sequences which provide additional structural information. Spectra of polystyrene and poly(alpha,beta-13C2-styrene) (PS) prepared by diphenylphosphinyl radical (DPPR) initiated polymerization of alpha,beta-13C2-styrene are used to illustrate the application of these techniques for characterization of polymer chain end structures. While polymers are used to illustrate the applications of these pulse sequences, they can just as easily be used to study other organic structures containing an NMR-active X nucleus. Organometallic chemistry is especially suited for applications of these NMR experiments. Copyright 1998 Academic Press. Copyright 1998 Academic Press

Journal Article↗

MR imaging of the knee: preliminary results with a 3DFT GRASS pulse sequence.

The knees of 17 patients (18 extremities) with possible meniscal, cruciate ligament, and articular cartilage abnormalities were examined with a three-dimensional Fourier transform (3DFT), gradient-refocused acquisition in a steady state (GRASS) pulse sequence. Arthroscopic confirmation was available in all cases and was the standard for comparison. Thirteen of these extremities were also examined by using a two-dimensional Fourier transform spin-echo pulse sequence with a 2000-msec repetition time and 20- and 80-msec echo time. In these 13 cases, both pulse sequences correctly identified seven of eight meniscal abnormalities. However, interpretation of the 3DFT GRASS images resulted in fewer false-positive meniscal tears (three vs six). Cruciate ligament tears were detected more readily on the 3DFT GRASS images (six vs three with two possible tears on the spin-echo images). These preliminary findings suggest that the overall accuracy of MR imaging of the knee could be improved by including 3DFT gradient-refocused pulse sequences.

Adolescent↗

Detection of hepatic metastases: analysis of pulse sequence performance in MR imaging.

Forty-three patients with liver metastases were imaged using 14 different pulse sequences (average, 7.5 sequences per patient) to allow direct comparison of their performance. "T2-weighted" spin-echo (SE) images, "T1-weighted" inversion recovery (IR) images, and "T1-weighted" SE images were obtained using a wide range of timing parameters. Pulse sequence performance was quantitated by measuring liver signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios and cancer-liver signal difference-to-noise (SD/N) ratios. Data were standardized to reflect a constant imaging time of 9 minutes for all pulse sequences. The SE 2,000/120 (TR [repetition time]/TE [echo time]) sequence resulted in the greatest SD/N ratio of the T2-weighted SE sequences but also yielded the low S/N ratios, poor anatomic resolution, and motion artifacts common to all T2-weighted SE images. IR sequence images were also sensitive to motion artifacts because of the use of a long TR (1,500 msec). Short TR/TE T1-weighted SE sequences (SE 260/18) had the greatest SD/N ratio (P less than .05), S/N ratio, and anatomic resolution. Furthermore, extensive signal averaging appears to be a powerful solution to all types of motion artifacts in the abdomen.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Pancreatic enhancement and pulse sequence analysis using low-dose mangafodipir trisodium.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate pancreatic enhancement with low-dose mangafodipir trisodium (5 mumol/kg) using three different T1-weighted pulse sequences. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients, six of whom had proven focal pancreatic tumors, underwent T1-weighted gradient-recalled echo imaging, spin-echo imaging, and fat-suppressed spin-echo imaging before and 30 min after injection of 5 mumol/kg of mangafodipir trisodium. Region-of-interest measurements were obtained in the pancreas before and after contrast enhancement. Signal-to-noise ratios were calculated in all 15 patients. Contrast-to-noise ratios were calculated in the six patients with pancreatic tumors. RESULTS: The signal-to-noise ratios of the pancreas increased after injection of mangafodipir trisodium on all three T1-weighted pulse sequences (p < .001). Enhanced fat-suppressed sequences (29 +/- 7.7) and gradient-recalled echo sequences (29 +/- 9.6) had the highest signal-to-noise ratios. Contrast-to-noise ratios between normal pancreatic tissue and pancreatic tumor also increased after contrast administration (p < .05) and were highest on the fat-suppressed (-9.6 +/- 4.0) pulse sequence. CONCLUSION: Mangafodipir trisodium produced marked pancreatic enhancement at a dose of 5 mumol/kg for all three T1-weighted pulse sequences. The enhanced T1-weighted spin-echo fat-suppressed sequence showed the highest signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios.

Adult↗

Application of Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery pulse sequence in children with tuberous sclerosis.

To evaluate the application of Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) pulse sequence to increase the sensitivity of detecting tubers in tuberous sclerosis patients compared with fast spin-echo T2-weighted (FSET2W) image, we obtained 12 magnetic resonance (MR) images in 10 patients (mean age = 57.7 months old). Among the 12 examinations, 114 cortical and 128 subcortical tubers were revealed on the FLAIR images, whereas 54 and 72 tubers were found respectively on the FSET2W images. This may be due to the FLAIR pulse sequences remarkably attenuated CSF signals in comparison with the FSET2W images. However, FSET2W image delineated more subependymal nodules than FLAIR imaging did. Gd-DTPA enhanced T1W image is the most suitable pulse sequence to detect giant cell astrocytoma near the foramen of Monro. The results in cases of infants and little children were similar.

Child↗

MQ-hCN-based pulse sequences for the measurement of 13C1'-1H1', 13C1'-15N, 1H1'-15N, 13C1'-13C2', 1H1'-13C2',13C6/8-1H6/8, 13C6/8-15N, 1H6/8-15N, 13C6-13C5, 1H6-13C5 dipolar couplings in 13C, 15N-labeled DNA (and RNA).

A suite of multiple quantum (MQ) HCN-based pulse sequences has been developed for the purpose of collecting dipolar coupling data in labeled nucleic acids. All the pulse sequences are based on the robust MQ-HCN experiment which has been utilized for assignment purposes in labeled nucleic acids for a number of years and provides much-needed resolution for the dipolar coupling measurements. We have attempted to collect multiple couplings centered on the 13C1' and 13C6/8 positions. Six pulse sequences are described, one each for measurement of one-bond 13C1'-1H1' and 13C6/8-1H6/8 couplings, one for measurement of one-bond 13C1'-15N and two-bond 1H1'-15N couplings, one for measurement of one-bond 13C6/8-15N and two-bond 1H6/8-15N couplings, one for measurement of one-bond 13C1'- 13C2' and two-bond 1H1'-13C2' couplings, and one for measurement of one-bond 13C6-13C5 and two-bond 1H6-13C5 couplings in the bases of C and T. These sequences are demonstrated for a labeled 18 bp DNA duplex in a 47 kDa ternary complex of DNA, CBFbeta, and the CBFalpha Runt domain, thus clearly demonstrating the robustness of the pulse sequences even for a very large complex.

Animals↗

Pulse sequence extrapolation with MR image synthesis.

Previous reports have presented validation studies of magnetic resonance (MR) image synthesis in which multiple spin-echo (MSE) source data were used to generate spin-echo images for various echo times and repetition times (TRs). A new method-"pulse sequence extrapolation" -synthesizes images for pulse sequences different from that of the acquisition. MSE data acquired in a time equivalent to a TR of 2,000 msec can be used to generate inversion-recovery (IR) images for arbitrarily chosen TI inversion times. Other combinations of pulse sequences were also studied, and synthetic images were compared visually and quantitatively to directly acquired images with corresponding parameters. Synthetic IR signals of the brain parenchyma consistently matched directly acquired signals to within 6%, with respect to the full magnetization signal. The noise level of synthetic signals was generally no more than twice that of direct acquisition signals, as predicted. This method can achieve selective fat suppression and enhancement in IR imaging.

Biophysical Phenomena↗