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Pulsed magnetization transfer contrast for MR imaging with application to breast
G E Santyr1, F Kelcz, E Schneider
1Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706, USA.
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging : JMRI
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Magnetization transfer (MT) parameters were measured in agar gels and breast tissue. This MT imaging technique effectively suppresses fibroglandular tissue signal, aiding lesion and implant visualization.
Area of Science:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Biophysics
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Magnetization transfer (MT) is a phenomenon involving the exchange of magnetization between different pools of protons.
- Understanding MT parameters like solid-like pool fraction (PB), transverse relaxation time (T2B), and MT rate (kappa) is crucial for quantitative MRI.
- Fibroglandular breast tissue exhibits significant MT effects, impacting image contrast in MRI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the MT parameters (PB, T2B, kappa) in varying concentrations of agar gels and excised fibroglandular breast tissue.
- To predict and validate image signal intensities using these MT parameters with a pulsed MT-prepared gradient-echo (MTC-GRE) imaging technique.
- To assess the efficacy of the MTC-GRE technique in suppressing fibroglandular breast tissue signal for improved lesion and silicone implant visualization.
Main Methods:
- Determined relative populations (PB) and transverse relaxation times (T2B) of solid-like hydrogen pools.
- Measured magnetization transfer (MT) rates (kappa) between solid-like and liquid-like hydrogen pools.
- Employed a pulsed MT-prepared gradient-echo (MTC-GRE) imaging technique to predict and acquire image signal intensities.
Main Results:
- PB, T2B, and kappa values were systematically determined for 2%, 4%, and 8% agar gels and fibroglandular tissue.
- Predicted image signal intensities using MT parameters showed good agreement with experimental data from a clinical MR system.
- The MTC-GRE technique achieved 40%-50% signal suppression in fibroglandular breast tissue within SAR limits.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully quantified MT parameters in relevant phantoms and biological tissue.
- The developed MTC-GRE technique effectively suppresses fibroglandular breast tissue signal.
- This technique holds promise for enhancing the detection of lesions and visualization of silicone implants in breast MRI.