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Published on: July 30, 2009
Feasibility of single-shot multi-slice DENSE MRI at 7 T for strain tensor imaging in a paediatric population
Merlijn C E van der Plas1,2, Elisabeth C van der Voort2, Jannie P Wijnen1,3
1Research Department, Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Insights
This study shows that advanced 7 Tesla MRI can measure brain tissue motion in children treated for posterior fossa tumors. This technique helps understand neurocognitive issues and improve quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neurology
Background:
- Children treated for posterior fossa tumors often face neurocognitive challenges impacting quality of life.
- The precise mechanisms behind these neurocognitive deficits remain poorly understood.
- Advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques may offer insights into brain microstructure and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of 7 Tesla (7T) displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE) MRI for assessing brain tissue pulsations in pediatric patients.
- To investigate the potential of DENSE MRI to reveal microstructural and vascular changes related to neurocognitive deficits post-treatment.
- To determine the robustness of the DENSE sequence in pediatric subjects, considering potential head motion.
Main Methods:
- A single-shot multi-slice DENSE sequence was implemented on a 7T MRI scanner.
- Brain motion maps were generated from DENSE data, allowing for voxel-wise derivation of strain maps.
- The reliability of the DENSE sequence was assessed using root mean square displacement analysis to account for participant motion.
Main Results:
- Despite noticeable head movement in pediatric participants, the 7T DENSE MRI technique successfully produced high-quality strain maps.
- The obtained strain patterns were comparable to those observed in adult subjects, indicating sequence robustness.
- This demonstrates the feasibility of using DENSE MRI to quantify brain tissue mechanics in children.
Conclusions:
- 7 Tesla DENSE MRI is a robust and feasible technique for measuring brain tissue motion and microstructure in pediatric patients treated for posterior fossa tumors.
- This imaging approach holds promise for elucidating the mechanisms underlying neurocognitive impairments in this population.
- Further research using DENSE MRI may lead to improved understanding and management of treatment-related neurocognitive deficits, ultimately enhancing patient quality of life.
Abstract:
Many children who have been treated for a posterior-fossa tumour experience neurocognitive problems after treatment with surgery, radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, which significantly impact their quality of life. Knowledge about these underlying mechanisms is limited at this point. The displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE) sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 7 T can be used to measure brain tissue pulsations, and provide information on both the blood vessels and microstructure simultaneously, which are potentially relevant parameters to assess these underlying mechanisms. A single-shot multi-slice DENSE sequence was used to obtain brain motion maps from which strain maps could be derived on a voxel-wise level. The robustness of this MRI sequence was studied using the root mean square displacement that was obtained during the registration in the analysis of the DENSE series. Although the paediatric participants exhibited noticeable head movement during the MR acquisition, good-quality strain maps were still obtained, displaying expected patterns similar to those seen in adults.
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Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...