MR thermometry imaging for low intensity focused ultrasound modulation of spinal nervous tissue

Previously in rodent and swine models, we have shown that external low intensity focused ultrasound (liFUS) can be used to modulate pain responses. To ensure no adverse heating events occur with liFUS modulation in a non-invasive manner, we perform initial work in swine to show that magnetic resonance thermometry imaging (MRTI) is capable of measuring <2.0 °C changes at the L5 DRG. Further, we show that our device can be constructed in an MR-compatible fashion to minimize artifact.

Three MRTI techniques (referenceless, corrected proton resonance frequency shift (PRFS), and PRFS) were applied to assess accuracy of detecting thermal changes at the L5 DRG in unheated euthanized swine. A region of interest (ROI) that includes the L5 DRG was delineated, within which MRTI temperature changes were spatially averaged (ground truth 0 °C). In separate experiments with phantoms, B0 field-inhomogeneity, RF transmit (B1+) and fast gradient echo (fSPGR) magnitude images were acquired to downselect liFUS device materials that produce the least MRI artifacts.

Referenceless, corrected PRFS, and PRFS MRTI resulted in temperature measurements of 0.8 ± 1.1 °C, 1.1 ± 1.3 °C and 5.2 ± 5 °C, respectively. Both materials caused B0 perturbation but minimal B1+ and MRTI artifacts. The presence of imaging artifacts did not preclude thermal imaging of the region.

We provide preliminary data suggesting that referenceless MRTI can adequately detect small thermal changes at the DRG that may occur with neuromodulation, which is one of the first steps in creating a table of safe parameters for liFUS therapy in humans.