Multiparametric mapping in post-mortem perinatal MRI: a feasibility study

To demonstrate feasibility of a 3 T multiparametric mapping (MPM) quantitative pipeline for perinatal post-mortem MR (PMMR) imaging.

Whole body quantitative PMMR imaging was acquired in four cases, mean gestational age 34 weeks, range (29-38 weeks) on a 3 T Siemens Prisma scanner. A multicontrast protocol yielded proton density, T₁ and magnetic transfer (MT) weighted multi-echo images obtained from variable flip angle (FA) 3D fast low angle single-shot (FLASH) acquisitions, radiofrequency transmit field map and one B₀ field map alongside four MT weighted acquisitions with saturation pulses of 180, 220, 260 and 300 degrees were acquired, all at 1 mm isotropic resolution.

Whole body MPM was achievable in all four foetuses, with R₁, R₂*, PD and MT maps reconstructed from a single protocol. Multiparametric maps were of high quality and show good tissue contrast, especially the MT maps.

MPM is a feasible technique in a perinatal post-mortem setting, which may allow quantification of post-mortem change, prior to being evaluated in a clinical setting.

We have shown that the MPM sequence is feasible in PMMR imaging and shown the potential of MT imaging in this setting.