SU-E-I-71: Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI) Software for Post-Processing of SWI Data

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Biophysics
• Software Development

Background:

• Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI) is crucial for visualizing paramagnetic substances like iron.
• Accurate post-processing of SWI data is essential for reliable analysis.
• Existing SWI processing methods may lack accessibility or require specialized software.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and provide an open-source software tool for post-processing SWI MRI data.
• To utilize both magnitude and phase data for enhanced SWI image generation.
• To create a user-friendly tool for researchers and clinicians.

Main Methods:

• SWI data acquired using a Philips 3T MRI scanner with specific parameters (TR=40ms, TE=25ms, FOV=22 cm, matrix=440x440, 40 slices).
• Homodyne filtering applied by converting magnitude and phase images to complex real and imaginary components.
• Software implemented in C++ utilizing the ITK (Image Registration and Segmentation Toolkit).

Main Results:

• An open-source SWI post-processing tool was successfully implemented using ITK.
• The software generates SWI maps for qualitative assessment of iron deposits.
• Filtered phase maps are produced for quantitative iron measurements in organs.

Conclusions:

• The developed SWI software provides qualitative maps of iron deposits in the brain and other organs.
• Post-processed images are suitable for MR Venography and studying iron-related diseases.
• This open-source tool facilitates research into iron accumulation in various pathological conditions.