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"Black blood" T2-weighted inversion-recovery MR imaging of the heart
O P Simonetti1, J P Finn, R D White
1MR Research and Development, Siemens Medical Systems, Iselin, NJ 08830, USA.
Purpose:
To develop a short-inversion-time inversion-recovery (STIR) magnetic resonance imaging pulse sequence for evaluating the myocardium that is relatively free of flow and motion artifact.
Materials And Methods:
The authors implemented a breath-hold, cardiac-triggered STIR sequence with preparatory radio-frequency pulses to eliminate signal from flowing blood. A segmented rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (turbo spin echo) readout was used, with the inversion-recovery delay adjusted to null fat. The sequence was implemented at 1.0 and 1.5 T and tested in phantoms, five healthy volunteers, and three patients.
Results:
Phantom studies confirmed the expected behavior of the sequence. In the volunteers, fat-suppressed images of the heart with STIR contrast were generated in a breath-hold period. Blood in the heart chambers was uniformly nulled, and motion artifacts were effectively suppressed. Focal high signal intensity consistent with edema was seen in two patients with acute myocardial infarction; in a third patient, a paracardiac mass was visualized and sharply demarcated relative to normal myocardium.
Conclusion:
Fast STIR imaging of the heart with effective suppression of flow and motion artifacts was implemented. The approach has much potential for high-contrast imaging in a variety of diseases affecting the heart and mediastinum.
Insights
A new cardiac magnetic resonance imaging sequence effectively suppresses blood flow and motion artifacts. This short inversion-time inversion-recovery (STIR) technique enhances myocardial imaging for disease detection.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Medical Imaging Physics
Background:
- Myocardial imaging is crucial for diagnosing heart conditions.
- Flow and motion artifacts can degrade image quality in cardiac MRI.
- Fat suppression techniques are vital for improving contrast in cardiac imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel short inversion-time inversion-recovery (STIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pulse sequence.
- To achieve artifact-free evaluation of the myocardium, minimizing flow and motion interference.
Main Methods:
- Implemented a breath-hold, cardiac-triggered STIR sequence with preparatory radio-frequency pulses.
- Utilized a segmented rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (turbo spin echo) readout.
- Optimized inversion-recovery delay to null fat signal at 1.0 and 1.5 T.
Main Results:
- Confirmed sequence behavior in phantom studies.
- Generated fat-suppressed cardiac images with STIR contrast within a breath-hold.
- Demonstrated effective suppression of blood signal and motion artifacts.
- Visualized myocardial edema and paracardiac masses in patients.
Conclusions:
- Successfully implemented fast STIR imaging for the heart with robust artifact suppression.
- The developed sequence shows significant potential for high-contrast cardiac and mediastinal imaging.
- This technique can aid in the diagnosis of various heart and mediastinal diseases.