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DCE-MRI of the liver with sub-second temporal resolution using GRASP-Pro with navi-stack-of-stars sampling
Jingjia Chen1,2, Chenchan Huang1,2, Krishna Shanbhogue1,2
1Bernard and Irene Schwartz Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Abstract:
Respiratory motion-induced image blurring and artifacts can compromise image quality in dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) of the liver. Despite remarkable advances in respiratory motion detection and compensation in past years, these techniques have not yet seen widespread clinical adoption. The accuracy of image-based motion detection can be especially compromised in the presence of contrast enhancement and/or in situations involving deep and/or irregular breathing patterns. This work proposes a framework that combines GRASP-Pro (Golden-angle RAdial Sparse Parallel MRI with imProved performance) MRI with a new radial sampling scheme called navi-stack-of-stars for free-breathing DCE-MRI of the liver without the need for explicit respiratory motion compensation. A prototype 3D golden-angle radial sequence with a navi-stack-of-stars sampling scheme that intermittently acquires a 2D navigator was implemented. Free-breathing DCE-MRI of the liver was conducted in 24 subjects at 3T including 17 volunteers and 7 patients. GRASP-Pro reconstruction was performed with a temporal resolution of 0.34-0.45 s per volume, whereas standard GRASP reconstruction was performed with a temporal resolution of 15 s per volume. Motion compensation was not performed in all image reconstruction tasks. Liver images in different contrast phases from both GRASP and GRASP-Pro reconstructions were visually scored by two experienced abdominal radiologists for comparison. The nonparametric paired two-tailed Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare image quality scores, and the Cohen's kappa coefficient was calculated to evaluate the inter-reader agreement. GRASP-Pro MRI with sub-second temporal resolution consistently received significantly higher image quality scores (P < 0.05) than standard GRASP MRI throughout all contrast enhancement phases and across all assessment categories. There was a substantial inter-reader agreement for all assessment categories (ranging from 0.67 to 0.89). The proposed technique using GRASP-Pro reconstruction with navi-stack-of-stars sampling holds great promise for free-breathing DCE-MRI of the liver without respiratory motion compensation.
Insights
This study introduces GRASP-Pro MRI with a navi-stack-of-stars sampling scheme for free-breathing liver DCE-MRI. The new method significantly improves image quality without explicit respiratory motion compensation.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Radiology
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Background:
- Respiratory motion significantly degrades liver DCE-MRI quality, causing blurring and artifacts.
- Current respiratory motion compensation techniques in MRI have limited clinical adoption.
- Contrast enhancement and irregular breathing patterns can further compromise motion detection accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel framework for free-breathing liver DCE-MRI.
- To eliminate the need for explicit respiratory motion compensation using GRASP-Pro and navi-stack-of-stars sampling.
- To assess the image quality improvements compared to standard GRASP MRI.
Main Methods:
- Implemented a 3D golden-angle radial MRI sequence with a navi-stack-of-stars sampling scheme acquiring 2D navigators.
- Performed GRASP-Pro reconstruction achieving sub-second temporal resolution (0.34-0.45s).
- Conducted free-breathing liver DCE-MRI in 24 subjects (17 volunteers, 7 patients) at 3T, with visual scoring by radiologists.
Main Results:
- GRASP-Pro MRI with sub-second resolution significantly outperformed standard GRASP MRI (15s resolution) in image quality scores (P < 0.05).
- Higher scores were consistently observed across all contrast phases and assessment categories.
- Substantial inter-reader agreement (kappa: 0.67-0.89) was achieved for image quality assessments.
Conclusions:
- The proposed GRASP-Pro MRI with navi-stack-of-stars sampling offers a promising solution for high-quality, free-breathing liver DCE-MRI.
- This technique effectively bypasses the need for explicit respiratory motion compensation.
- The method demonstrates potential for improved clinical workflow and diagnostic accuracy in liver imaging.
