T1W

Revealing vascular abnormalities and measuring small vessel density in multiple sclerosis lesions using USPIO

Revealing vascular abnormalities and measuring small vessel density in multiple sclerosis lesions using USPIO

In this study, an ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) contrast agent, Ferumoxytol, was administered to induce an increase in susceptibility for both arteries and veins to help better reveal the cerebral microvasculature. The purpose of this work was to examine the presence of vascular abnormalities and vascular density in MS lesions using high-resolution susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI).

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Quantitative MRI using STrategically Acquired Gradient Echo (STAGE): optimization for 1.5 T scanners and T1 relaxation map validation

Quantitative MRI using STrategically Acquired Gradient Echo (STAGE): optimization for 1.5 T scanners and T1 relaxation map validation

The strategically acquired gradient echo (STAGE) protocol, developed for 3T scanners, allows one to derive quantitative maps such as T1, T2*, proton density, and quantitative susceptibility mapping in about 5 min. Our aim was to adapt the STAGE sequences for 1.5T scanners which are still commonly used in clinical practice. Furthermore, the accuracy and repeatability of the STAGE-derived T1 estimate were tested.

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Susceptibility-weighted Imaging: Technical Essentials and Clinical Neurologic Applications

Susceptibility-weighted Imaging: Technical Essentials and Clinical Neurologic Applications

Susceptibility-weighted imaging is an increasingly important adjunct in diagnosing a variety of neurologic diseases and provides a powerful tool to depict and help characterize microbleeds, veins, and other sources of susceptibility. But the term SWI is colloquially used to denote high-spatial-resolution susceptibility-enhanced sequences across different MRI vendors and sequences even when phase information is not used.

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Optimizing neuromelanin contrast in the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus using a magnetization transfer contrast prepared 3D gradient recalled echo sequence

Optimizing neuromelanin contrast in the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus using a magnetization transfer contrast prepared 3D gradient recalled echo sequence

Neuromelanin (NM) loss in the substantia nigra (SN) and locus coeruleus (LC) is being investigated as an imaging biomarker for Parkinson’s disease (PD) using magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) magnetic resonance imaging. The goal of this paper was to optimize the NM contrast in the SN and LC as a function of flip angle using a 3D GRE MTC strategically acquired gradient echo (STAGE) imaging approach.

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STrategically Acquired Gradient Echo (STAGE) imaging, part III: Technical advances and clinical applications of a rapid multi-contrast multi-parametric brain imaging method

STrategically Acquired Gradient Echo (STAGE) imaging, part III: Technical advances and clinical applications of a rapid multi-contrast multi-parametric brain imaging method

One major thrust in radiology today is image standardization with a focus on rapidly acquired quantitative multi-contrast information. In this paper, we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of STAGE, demonstrate its contrast-to-noise (CNR) behavior relative to a large clinical data set and introduce a few new image contrasts derived from STAGE.

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Quantifying iron content in magnetic resonance imaging

Quantifying iron content in magnetic resonance imaging

In this work, we review the basic concepts behind imaging iron using T2, T2*, T2′, phase and quantitative susceptibility mapping in the human brain, liver and heart, followed by the applications of in vivo iron quantification in neurodegenerative diseases, iron tagged cells and ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles.

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Characteristics of Cerebral Microbleeds

Characteristics of Cerebral Microbleeds

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are increasingly recognized neuroimaging findings, occurring with cerebrovascular disease, dementia, and aging. This review summarizes the concepts, cause or risk factors, histopathological mechanisms, and clinical consequences of CMBs.

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