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Updated: May 7, 2026
A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Protocol for Stroke Onset Time Estimation in Permanent Cerebral Ischemia
Published on: September 16, 2017
Practical Aspects of Shortening Acquisition Time in Brain MR Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging
1Taipei Medical University, Imaging Research Center; Taipei, Taiwan - ftsai@uci.edu.
Abstract:
Magnetic resonance susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), a novel 3D gradient echo MRI sequence exploiting phase and magnitude data for post-processing, is able to detect blood, iron, calcification and deoxygenated hemoglobin content for brain. SWI has been widely used to evaluate cerebral vascular disorders, trauma, multiple sclerosis, and tumors. We have also used SWI to evaluate acute stroke patients to identify thrombosis and possible penumbra. The acquisition was too long for examining acute stroke patients due to motion from agitation and mental changes. We have altered the parameters of phase resolution, voxel size, matrix size and partial Fourier to shorten the acquisition time to improve the diagnostic quality of SWI for acute stroke patients. The result was to reduce the acquisition time from 3:46 min to 2:14 min thereby providing a helpful tool in screening stroke patients.
Insights
This study optimized magnetic resonance susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) for acute stroke patients. Shortened acquisition times improve SWI
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Radiology
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Magnetic resonance susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is a 3D gradient echo MRI technique.
- SWI detects iron, blood, calcification, and deoxygenated hemoglobin in the brain.
- SWI is utilized for evaluating cerebrovascular disorders, trauma, tumors, and multiple sclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize SWI for acute stroke patient evaluation.
- To reduce SWI acquisition time for improved patient tolerance and diagnostic utility in acute stroke.
Main Methods:
- Modified SWI parameters including phase resolution, voxel size, matrix size, and partial Fourier.
- Compared pre- and post-optimization SWI acquisition times.
Main Results:
- Reduced SWI acquisition time from 3 minutes 46 seconds to 2 minutes 14 seconds.
- The optimized SWI provides a valuable tool for screening acute stroke patients.
Conclusions:
- Optimized SWI acquisition parameters significantly shorten scan duration.
- This enhancement makes SWI a more practical and effective tool for the rapid assessment of acute stroke patients.
