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Updated: Mar 31, 2026
High-resolution Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Methods for Human Midbrain
Published on: May 10, 2012
Motion correction in simultaneous PET/MR brain imaging using sparsely sampled MR navigators: a clinically feasible
Sune H Keller1, Casper Hansen2, Christian Hansen3
13982 Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. sune@pet.rh.dk.
Background:
We present a study performing motion correction (MC) of PET using MR navigators sampled between other protocolled MR sequences during simultaneous PET/MR brain scanning with the purpose of evaluating its clinical feasibility and the potential improvement of image quality.
Findings:
Twenty-nine human subjects had a 30-min [(11)C]-PiB PET scan with simultaneous MR including 3D navigators sampled at six time points, which were used to correct the PET image for rigid head motion. Five subjects with motion greater than 4 mm were reconstructed into six frames (one for each navigator) which were averaged to one image after MC. The average maximum motion magnitude observed was 3.9 ± 2.4 mm (1 to 11 mm). Visual evaluation by a nuclear medicine physician of the five subjects' motion corrected rated three of the five images blurred before motion correction, while no images were rated blurred after. The image quality was scored on a scale of 1-5, 5 being best. The score changed from an average of 3.4 before motion correction to 4.0 after. There was no correlation between maximum motion magnitude and rating. Quantitative SUVr scoring did not change markedly with motion correction.
Conclusions:
Sparsely sampled navigators can be used for characterization and correction of head motion. A slight, overall decrease in blurring and an increase in image quality with MC was found, but without impact on clinical interpretation. In future studies with noteworthy motion artifacts, our method is an important and simple-to-use tool to have available for motion correction.
Insights
Motion correction (MC) using MR navigators during simultaneous PET/MR brain scans improved image quality and reduced blurring. This method is feasible for clinical use, enhancing diagnostic accuracy for brain imaging studies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Simultaneous PET/MR imaging offers combined functional and anatomical data for brain studies.
- Head motion during PET/MR scans can significantly degrade image quality and affect diagnostic accuracy.
- Developing effective motion correction techniques is crucial for maximizing the clinical utility of PET/MR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical feasibility of motion correction (MC) for PET imaging during simultaneous PET/MR brain scans.
- To assess the potential improvement in PET image quality using MR navigators for motion correction.
- To investigate the impact of MC on the interpretation of PET/MR brain scans.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 3D MR navigators sampled between MR sequences during simultaneous PET/MR brain scans.
- Applied motion correction to PET data from 29 subjects undergoing [(11)C]-PiB PET scans.
- Reconstructed PET images in multiple frames for subjects with significant motion (>4 mm) before averaging post-MC.
Main Results:
- Head motion up to 11 mm was observed, with an average maximum motion of 3.9 mm.
- Visual assessment showed a reduction in blurring in PET images after motion correction.
- Image quality scores improved from an average of 3.4 to 4.0 post-MC, indicating better image clarity.
Conclusions:
- Sparsely sampled MR navigators are effective for characterizing and correcting head motion in PET/MR brain imaging.
- Motion correction resulted in a slight decrease in blurring and improved image quality without altering clinical interpretation.
- This method provides a simple and valuable tool for motion correction in future PET/MR studies, particularly those with significant motion artifacts.
