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Improving spectral quality in fetal brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy using constructive averaging
Anil N Shetty1,2, Refaat E Gabr3, David A Rendon1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
Prenatal Diagnosis
|September 9, 2015
Summary
Constructive averaging improves fetal brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) by enhancing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spectral quality. This technique helps overcome challenges from fetal movement and magnetic field drift, leading to better metabolite characterization.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Medical Physics
- Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Fetal movement and magnetic field drift commonly reduce signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in fetal brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).
- This loss in SNR degrades spectral quality, hindering accurate metabolite analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of using constructive averaging strategies for enhancing spectral quality in fetal brain MRS.
- To assess the potential of constructive averaging to recover SNR lost due to fetal movement and temporal magnetic field drift.
Main Methods:
- Eight fetuses (20 3/7 to 38 2/7 weeks gestation) underwent 1.5T MRS with single-voxel point-resolved spectroscopy.
- Individual spectra (128 acquisitions) were corrected for phase and frequency variations before averaging using a constructive strategy.
- Constructively averaged spectra were compared to conventionally averaged spectra for quality and SNR assessment.
Main Results:
- Constructive averaging qualitatively improved the definition of key metabolite peaks, including lactate.
- SNR increases ranging from 11% to 40% were observed with constructive averaging.
- Further SNR improvement was noted in one case after rejecting severe motion outliers prior to averaging.
Conclusions:
- Constructive averaging is a feasible strategy for improving SNR in fetal MRS.
- This technique is expected to enhance the characterization of fetal brain metabolites.
