@article{HockTerekhovStefanescuetal.2021, author = {Hock, Michael and Terekhov, Maxim and Stefanescu, Maria Roxana and Lohr, David and Herz, Stefan and Reiter, Theresa and Ankenbrand, Markus and Kosmala, Aleksander and Gassenmaier, Tobias and Juchem, Christoph and Schreiber, Laura Maria}, title = {B\(_{0}\) shimming of the human heart at 7T}, series = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, volume = {85}, journal = {Magnetic Resonance in Medicine}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1002/mrm.28423}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218096}, pages = {182 -- 196}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Purpose Inhomogeneities of the static magnetic B\(_{0}\) field are a major limiting factor in cardiac MRI at ultrahigh field (≥ 7T), as they result in signal loss and image distortions. Different magnetic susceptibilities of the myocardium and surrounding tissue in combination with cardiac motion lead to strong spatio-temporal B\(_{0}\)-field inhomogeneities, and their homogenization (B0 shimming) is a prerequisite. Limitations of state-of-the-art shimming are described, regional B\(_{0}\) variations are measured, and a methodology for spherical harmonics shimming of the B\(_{0}\) field within the human myocardium is proposed. Methods The spatial B\(_{0}\)-field distribution in the heart was analyzed as well as temporal B\(_{0}\)-field variations in the myocardium over the cardiac cycle. Different shim region-of-interest selections were compared, and hardware limitations of spherical harmonics B\(_{0}\) shimming were evaluated by calibration-based B0-field modeling. The role of third-order spherical harmonics terms was analyzed as well as potential benefits from cardiac phase-specific shimming. Results The strongest B\(_{0}\)-field inhomogeneities were observed in localized spots within the left-ventricular and right-ventricular myocardium and varied between systolic and diastolic cardiac phases. An anatomy-driven shim region-of-interest selection allowed for improved B\(_{0}\)-field homogeneity compared with a standard shim region-of-interest cuboid. Third-order spherical harmonics terms were demonstrated to be beneficial for shimming of these myocardial B\(_{0}\)-field inhomogeneities. Initial results from the in vivo implementation of a potential shim strategy were obtained. Simulated cardiac phase-specific shimming was performed, and a shim term-by-term analysis revealed periodic variations of required currents. Conclusion Challenges in state-of-the-art B\(_{0}\) shimming of the human heart at 7 T were described. Cardiac phase-specific shimming strategies were found to be superior to vendor-supplied shimming.}, language = {en} } @article{GrunzWenigKunzetal.2020, author = {Grunz, Jan-Peter and Wenig, Andreas Max and Kunz, Andreas Steven and Veyhl-Wichmann, Maike and Schmitt, Rainer and Gietzen, Carsten Herbert and Pennig, Lenhard and Herz, Stefan and Erg{\"u}n, S{\"u}leyman and Bley, Thorsten Alexander and Gassenmaier, Tobias}, title = {3D cone-beam CT with a twin robotic x-ray system in elbow imaging: comparison of image quality to high-resolution multidetector CT}, series = {European Radiology Experimental}, volume = {4}, journal = {European Radiology Experimental}, doi = {10.1186/s41747-020-00177-y}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-229877}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Background Elbow imaging is challenging with conventional multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), while cone-beam CT (CBCT) provides superior options. We compared intra-individually CBCT versus MDCT image quality in cadaveric elbows. Methods A twin robotic x-ray system with new CBCT mode and a high-resolution clinical MDCT were compared in 16 cadaveric elbows. Both systems were operated with a dedicated low-dose (LD) protocol (equivalent volume CT dose index [CTDI\(_{vol(16 cm)}\)] = 3.3 mGy) and a regular clinical scan dose (RD) protocol (CTDI\(_{vol(16 cm)}\) = 13.8 mGy). Image quality was evaluated by two radiologists (R1 and R2) on a seven-point Likert scale, and estimation of signal intensity in cancellous bone was conducted. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) statistics were used. Results The CBCT prototype provided superior subjective image quality compared to MDCT scans (for RD, p ≤ 0.004; for LD, p ≤ 0.001). Image quality was rated very good or excellent in 100\% of the cases by both readers for RD CBCT, 100\% (R1) and 93.8\% (R2) for LD CBCT, 62.6\% and 43.8\% for RD MDCT, and 0.0\% and 0.0\% for LD MDCT. Single-measure ICC was 0.95 (95\% confidence interval 0.91-0.97; p < 0.001). Software-based assessment supported subjective findings with less "undecided" pixels in CBCT than dose-equivalent MDCT (p < 0.001). No significant difference was found between LD CBCT and RD MDCT. Conclusions In cadaveric elbow studies, the tested cone-beam CT prototype delivered superior image quality compared to high-end multidetector CT and showed a potential for considerable dose reduction.}, language = {en} }