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Updated: Jun 9, 2026
Magnetic Resonance Elastography Methodology for the Evaluation of Tissue Engineered Construct Growth
Published on: February 9, 2012
Comparison of inversion methods in MR elastography: An open-access pipeline for processing multifrequency shear-wave
Tom Meyer1, Stephan Marticorena Garcia1, Heiko Tzschätzsch1
1Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Purpose:
Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) maps the viscoelastic properties of soft tissues for diagnostic purposes. However, different MRE inversion methods yield different results, which hinder comparison of values, standardization, and establishment of quantitative MRE markers. Here, we introduce an expandable, open-access, webserver-based platform that offers multiple inversion techniques for multifrequency, 3D MRE data.
Methods:
The platform comprises a data repository and standard MRE inversion methods including local frequency estimation (LFE), direct-inversion based multifrequency dual elasto-visco (MDEV) inversion, and wavenumber-based (k-) MDEV. The use of the platform is demonstrated in phantom data and in vivo multifrequency MRE data of the kidneys and brains of healthy volunteers.
Results:
Detailed maps of stiffness were generated by all inversion methods showing similar detail of anatomy. Specifically, the inner renal cortex had higher shear wave speed (SWS) than renal medulla and outer cortex without lateral differences. k-MDEV yielded higher SWS values than MDEV or LFE (full kidney/brain k-MDEV: 2.71 ± 0.19/1.45 ± 0.14 m/s, MDEV: 2.14 ± 0.16/0.99 ± 0.11 m/s, LFE: 2.12 ± 0.15/0.89 ± 0.06 m/s).
Conclusion:
The freely accessible platform supports the comparison of MRE results obtained with different inversion methods, filter thresholds, or excitation frequencies, promoting reproducibility in MRE across community-developed methods.
