TY - THES A1 - Kleineisel, Jonas T1 - Variational networks in magnetic resonance imaging - Application to spiral cardiac MRI and investigations on image quality T1 - Variational Networks in der Magnetresonanztomographie - Anwendung auf spirale Herzbildgebung und Untersuchungen zur Bildqualität N2 - Acceleration is a central aim of clinical and technical research in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) today, with the potential to increase robustness, accessibility and patient comfort, reduce cost, and enable entirely new kinds of examinations. A key component in this endeavor is image reconstruction, as most modern approaches build on advanced signal and image processing. Here, deep learning (DL)-based methods have recently shown considerable potential, with numerous publications demonstrating benefits for MRI reconstruction. However, these methods often come at the cost of an increased risk for subtle yet critical errors. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to advance DL-based MRI reconstruction, while ensuring high quality and fidelity with measured data. A network architecture specifically suited for this purpose is the variational network (VN). To investigate the benefits these can bring to non-Cartesian cardiac imaging, the first part presents an application of VNs, which were specifically adapted to the reconstruction of accelerated spiral acquisitions. The proposed method is compared to a segmented exam, a U-Net and a compressed sensing (CS) model using qualitative and quantitative measures. While the U-Net performed poorly, the VN as well as the CS reconstruction showed good output quality. In functional cardiac imaging, the proposed real-time method with VN reconstruction substantially accelerates examinations over the gold-standard, from over 10 to just 1 minute. Clinical parameters agreed on average. Generally in MRI reconstruction, the assessment of image quality is complex, in particular for modern non-linear methods. Therefore, advanced techniques for precise evaluation of quality were subsequently demonstrated. With two distinct methods, resolution and amplification or suppression of noise are quantified locally in each pixel of a reconstruction. Using these, local maps of resolution and noise in parallel imaging (GRAPPA), CS, U-Net and VN reconstructions were determined for MR images of the brain. In the tested images, GRAPPA delivers uniform and ideal resolution, but amplifies noise noticeably. The other methods adapt their behavior to image structure, where different levels of local blurring were observed at edges compared to homogeneous areas, and noise was suppressed except at edges. Overall, VNs were found to combine a number of advantageous properties, including a good trade-off between resolution and noise, fast reconstruction times, and high overall image quality and fidelity of the produced output. Therefore, this network architecture seems highly promising for MRI reconstruction. N2 - Eine Beschleunigung des Bildgebungsprozesses ist heute ein wichtiges Ziel von klinischer und technischer Forschung in der Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT). Dadurch könnten Robustheit, Verfügbarkeit und Patientenkomfort erhöht, Kosten gesenkt und ganz neue Arten von Untersuchungen möglich gemacht werden. Da sich die meisten modernen Ansätze hierfür auf eine fortgeschrittene Signal- und Bildverarbeitung stützen, ist die Bildrekonstruktion ein zentraler Baustein. In diesem Bereich haben Deep Learning (DL)-basierte Methoden in der jüngeren Vergangenheit bemerkenswertes Potenzial gezeigt und eine Vielzahl an Publikationen konnte deren Nutzen in der MRT-Rekonstruktion feststellen. Allerdings besteht dabei das Risiko von subtilen und doch kritischen Fehlern. Daher ist das Ziel dieser Arbeit, die DL-basierte MRT-Rekonstruktion weiterzuentwickeln, während gleichzeitig hohe Bildqualität und Treue der erzeugten Bilder mit den gemessenen Daten gewährleistet wird. Eine Netzwerkarchitektur, die dafür besonders geeignet ist, ist das Variational Network (VN). Um den Nutzen dieser Netzwerke für nicht-kartesische Herzbildgebung zu untersuchen, beschreibt der erste Teil dieser Arbeit eine Anwendung von VNs, welche spezifisch für die Rekonstruktion von beschleunigten Akquisitionen mit spiralen Auslesetrajektorien angepasst wurden. Die vorgeschlagene Methode wird mit einer segmentierten Rekonstruktion, einem U-Net, und einem Compressed Sensing (CS)-Modell anhand von qualitativen und quantitativen Metriken verglichen. Während das U-Net schlecht abschneidet, zeigen die VN- und CS-Methoden eine gute Bildqualität. In der funktionalen Herzbildgebung beschleunigt die vorgeschlagene Echtzeit-Methode mit VN-Rekonstruktion die Aufnahme gegenüber dem Goldstandard wesentlich, von etwa zehn zu nur einer Minute. Klinische Parameter stimmen im Mittel überein. Die Bewertung von Bildqualität in der MRT-Rekonstruktion ist im Allgemeinen komplex, vor allem für moderne, nichtlineare Methoden. Daher wurden anschließend forgeschrittene Techniken zur präsizen Analyse von Bildqualität demonstriert. Mit zwei separaten Methoden wurde einerseits die Auflösung und andererseits die Verstärkung oder Unterdrückung von Rauschen in jedem Pixel eines untersuchten Bildes lokal quantifiziert. Damit wurden lokale Karten von Auflösung und Rauschen in Rekonstruktionen durch Parallele Bildgebung (GRAPPA), CS, U-Net und VN für MR-Aufnahmen des Gehirns berechnet. In den untersuchten Bildern zeigte GRAPPA gleichmäßig eine ideale Auflösung, aber merkliche Rauschverstärkung. Die anderen Methoden verhalten sich lokal unterschiedlich je nach Struktur des untersuchten Bildes. Die gemessene lokale Unschärfe unterschied sich an den Kanten gegenüber homogenen Bildbereichen, und Rauschen wurde überall außer an Kanten unterdrückt. Insgesamt wurde für VNs eine Kombination von verschiedenen günstigen Eigenschaften festgestellt, unter anderem ein guter Kompromiss zwischen Auflösung und Rauschen, schnelle Laufzeit, und hohe Qualität und Datentreue der erzeugten Bilder. Daher erscheint diese Netzwerkarchitektur als ein äußerst vielversprechender Ansatz für MRT-Rekonstruktion. KW - Kernspintomografie KW - Convolutional Neural Network KW - Maschinelles Lernen KW - Bildgebendes Verfahren KW - magnetic resonance imaging KW - convolutional neural network KW - variational network KW - cardiac imaging KW - machine learning KW - local point-spread function KW - resolution KW - g-factor Y1 - 2024 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-347370 ER - TY - THES A1 - Portmann, Johannes T1 - Accelerated inversion recovery MRI of the myocardium using spiral acquisition T1 - Beschleunigte Inversion-Recovery MR-Bildgebung des Myokards mit spiralen Auslesezügen N2 - This work deals with the acceleration of cardiovascular MRI for the assessment of functional information in steady-state contrast and for viability assessment during the inversion recovery of the magnetization. Two approaches are introduced and discussed in detail. MOCO-MAP uses an exponential model to recover dynamic image data, IR-CRISPI, with its low-rank plus sparse reconstruction, is related to compressed sensing. MOCO-MAP is a successor to model-based acceleration of parametermapping (MAP) for the application in the myocardial region. To this end, it was augmented with a motion correction (MOCO) step to allow exponential fitting the signal of a still object in temporal direction. Iteratively, this introduction of prior physical knowledge together with the enforcement of consistency with the measured data can be used to reconstruct an image series from distinctly shorter sampling time than the standard exam (< 3 s opposed to about 10 s). Results show feasibility of the method as well as detectability of delayed enhancement in the myocardium, but also significant discrepancies when imaging cardiac function and artifacts caused already by minor inaccuracy of the motion correction. IR-CRISPI was developed from CRISPI, which is a real-time protocol specifically designed for functional evaluation of image data in steady-state contrast. With a reconstruction based on the separate calculation of low-rank and sparse part, it employs a softer constraint than the strict exponential model, which was possible due to sufficient temporal sampling density via spiral acquisition. The low-rank plus sparse reconstruction is fit for the use on dynamic and on inversion recovery data. Thus, motion correction is rendered unnecessary with it. IR-CRISPI was equipped with noise suppression via spatial wavelet filtering. A study comprising 10 patients with cardiac disease show medical applicability. A comparison with performed traditional reference exams offer insight into diagnostic benefits. Especially regarding patients with difficulty to hold their breath, the real-time manner of the IR-CRISPI acquisition provides a valuable alternative and an increase in robustness. In conclusion, especially with IR-CRISPI in free breathing, a major acceleration of the cardiovascular MR exam could be realized. In an acquisition of less than 100 s, it not only includes the information of two traditional protocols (cine and LGE), which take up more than 9.6 min, but also allows adjustment of TI in retrospect and yields lower artifact level with similar image quality. N2 - Diese Arbeit behandelt die Beschleunigung der kardiovaskulären MRT zum Erfassen funktioneller Information bei Steady-State-Kontrast und zur Unter- suchung der Vitalität bei Wiederherstellung der Magnetisierung nach ihrer Inversion. Zwei Ansätze werden eingeführt und im Detail diskutiert: MOCO- MAP, welches ein exponentielles Modell nutzt, um dynamische Daten zu rekonstruieren, und IR-CRISPI, welches mit seinem “low-rank plus sparse"- Algorithmus mit Compressed Sensing verwandt ist. MOCO-MAP ist der Nachfolger der modellbasierten Beschleunigung des Parameter-Mappings (MAP) für die Anwendung im Bereich des Myokards. Hierzu wurde es mit einer Bewegungskorrektur (MOCO) versehen, um expo- nentielles Fitten eines unbewegten Objects in Zeitrichtung zu ermöglichen. Das Einbringen dieses physikalischen Vorwissens zusammen mit dem Erzwin- gen von Konsistenz mit den Messdaten wird dazu genutzt, iterativ eine Bildfolge aus Daten einer deutlich kürzeren Messung als herkömmlich zu rekonstruieren (< 3 s gegenüber ca. 10 s). Die Ergebnisse zeigen die Umsetz- barkeit der Methode sowie die Nachweisbarkeit von Delayed Enhancements im Myokard, aber deutliche funktionelle Abweichungen und Artefakte bereits aufgrund von kleinen Ungenauigkeiten der Bewegungskorrektur. IR-CRISPI geht aus CRISPI hervor, welches zur Auswertung von funk- tionellen Echtzeitdaten bei konstantem Kontrast dient. Mit der Rekon- struktion durch getrennte Berechnung von niedrigrangigem und dünnbe- setztem Matrixanteil wird hier bei der Datenrekonstruktion weniger stark eingeschränkt als bei einem strikten exponentiellen Modell. Die pirale Auf- nahmeweise erlaubt hierzu ausreichend effiziente k-Raumabdeckung. Die “low-rank plus sparse"-Rekonstruktion ist kompatibel mit dynamischen und mit Inversion-Recovery-Daten. Eine Bewegungskorrektur ist folglich nicht nötig. IR-CRISPI wurde mit einer Rauschunterdrückung durch räumliche Wavelet- Filterung versehen. Eine Studie, die 10 Patienten einschließt, zeigt die Eignung für die medizinische Anwendung. Der Vergleich mit herkömm- lichen Aufnahmetechniken lässt auf den gewonnenen diagnostischen Nutzen schließen. Besonders für Patienten, die Schwierigkeiten mit dem Luftanhal- ten haben, eröffnet diese Echtzeitaufnahmemethode eine wertvolle Alterna- tive und erhöhte Stabilität. Am Ende konnte gerade mittels IR-CRISPI eine bemerkenswerte Beschleu- nigung der kardiovaskulären MR-Untersuchung verwirklicht werden. Trotz der kurzen Aufnahmezeit von weniger als 100 s für den kompletten linken Ven- trikel schließt es nicht nur die Information zweier herkömmlicher Protokolle mit ein (Cine und LGE), die zusammen mehr als 9,6 min dauern, sondern es erlaubt zusätzlich auch das Einstellen der TI-Zeit im Nachhinein und liefert Ergebnisse mit geringerem Artefaktlevel bei ähnlicher Bildqualität KW - Kernspintomografie KW - Herzfunktion KW - Herzmuskel KW - Bildgebendes Verfahren KW - Echtzeit KW - cine loop KW - late enhancement KW - late gadolinium-enhancement KW - magnetic resonance imaging KW - real-time imaging KW - spiral trajectory Y1 - 2023 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-302822 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Guggenberger, Konstanze V. A1 - Vogt, Marius L. A1 - Song, Jae W. A1 - Weng, Andreas M. A1 - Fröhlich, Matthias A1 - Schmalzing, Marc A1 - Venhoff, Nils A1 - Hillenkamp, Jost A1 - Pham, Mirko A1 - Meckel, Stephan A1 - Bley, Thorsten A. T1 - Intraorbital findings in giant cell arteritis on black blood MRI JF - European Radiology N2 - Objective Blindness is a feared complication of giant cell arteritis (GCA). However, the spectrum of pathologic orbital imaging findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in GCA is not well understood. In this study, we assess inflammatory changes of intraorbital structures on black blood MRI (BB-MRI) in patients with GCA compared to age-matched controls. Methods In this multicenter case-control study, 106 subjects underwent BB-MRI. Fifty-six patients with clinically or histologically diagnosed GCA and 50 age-matched controls without clinical or laboratory evidence of vasculitis were included. All individuals were imaged on a 3-T MR scanner with a post-contrast compressed-sensing (CS) T1-weighted sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolution (SPACE) BB-MRI sequence. Imaging results were correlated with available clinical symptoms. Results Eighteen of 56 GCA patients (32%) showed inflammatory changes of at least one of the intraorbital structures. The most common finding was enhancement of at least one of the optic nerve sheaths (N = 13, 72%). Vessel wall enhancement of the ophthalmic artery was unilateral in 8 and bilateral in 3 patients. Enhancement of the optic nerve was observed in one patient. There was no significant correlation between imaging features of inflammation and clinically reported orbital symptoms (p = 0.10). None of the age-matched control patients showed any inflammatory changes of intraorbital structures. Conclusions BB-MRI revealed inflammatory findings in the orbits in up to 32% of patients with GCA. Optic nerve sheath enhancement was the most common intraorbital inflammatory change on BB-MRI. MRI findings were independent of clinically reported orbital symptoms. Key Points • Up to 32% of GCA patients shows signs of inflammation of intraorbital structures on BB-MRI. • Enhancement of the optic nerve sheath is the most common intraorbital finding in GCA patients on BB-MRI. • Features of inflammation of intraorbital structures are independent of clinically reported symptoms. KW - giant cell arteritis KW - magnetic resonance imaging KW - orbit KW - ophthalmic artery KW - optic nerve Y1 - 2023 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-324978 VL - 33 IS - 4 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schneider, Sonja Jasmin Maria A1 - Höhne, Christian A1 - Schneider, Martin A1 - Schmitter, Marc T1 - Photoacoustic tomography versus cone-beam computed tomography versus micro-computed tomography: Accuracy of 3D reconstructions of human teeth JF - PloS One N2 - Objectives In this in-vitro study, teeth were imaged using photoacoustic tomography (PAT), cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and micro-computed tomography (μ-CT). The study had aim: to identify the best wavelength for PAT images to determine the accuracy of the three imaging methods, and to determine whether PAT images of teeth can achieve acceptable reconstruction quality. Methods Nineteen human mandibular single-rooted incisors were extracted from patients with trauma or periodontitis. To determine the best wavelength for acquiring photoacoustic images, all 19 teeth were scanned in vitro with PAT, using different laser wavelengths between 680 and 960 nm. The images were analyzed using image analysis software. To assess the accuracy of PAT and compare it with the accuracy of CBCT, each tooth was also scanned in vitro using CBCT and the reference standard technique of μ-CT. Subsequently, three different three-dimensional models, one for each imaging technique, were created for each tooth. Finally, the three different three-dimensional models acquired for the same tooth were matched and analyzed regarding volume and surface. Results The highest quality tooth images were achieved using the 680 nm wavelength, which showed the best contrast ratio. The full geometry of the dental root (μ-CT compared with PAT) could be visualized with relative standard deviations of 0.12 mm for the surface and −7.33 mm3 for the volume (n = 19). The full geometry of the dental root (μ-CT compared with CBCT) could be visualized with relative standard deviations of 0.06 mm for the surface and −14.56 mm3 for the volume (n = 19). The difference between the PAT–μ-CT group and CBCT–μ-CT group regarding the total average of the root surface area was not significant (p>0.06). Conclusion Images, which were acquired using PAT at 680nm showed the best contrast ration, enabling the identification of dentin, cementum and the dental pulp. No significant differences were found between the PAT–μ-CT group and CBCT–μ-CT group regarding the total average of the RSA and the total volume. Thus, three-dimensional reconstructions based on in-vitro PAT are already of acceptable reconstruction quality. KW - teeth KW - imaging techniques KW - computer software KW - incisors KW - in vivo imaging KW - caries KW - magnetic resonance imaging KW - tomography Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-301437 VL - 17 IS - 12 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Guggenberger, Konstanze Viktoria A1 - Torre, Giulia Dalla A1 - Ludwig, Ute A1 - Vogel, Patrick A1 - Weng, Andreas Max A1 - Vogt, Marius Lothar A1 - Fröhlich, Matthias A1 - Schmalzing, Marc A1 - Raithel, Esther A1 - Forman, Christoph A1 - Urbach, Horst A1 - Meckel, Stephan A1 - Bley, Thorsten Alexander T1 - Vasa vasorum of proximal cerebral arteries after dural crossing - potential imaging confounder in diagnosing intracranial vasculitis in elderly subjects on black-blood MRI JF - European Radiology N2 - Objectives Vessel wall enhancement (VWE) may be commonly seen on MRI images of asymptomatic subjects. This study aimed to characterize the VWE of the proximal internal carotid (ICA) and vertebral arteries (VA) in a non-vasculitic elderly patient cohort. Methods Cranial MRI scans at 3 Tesla were performed in 43 patients (aged ≥ 50 years) with known malignancy for exclusion of cerebral metastases. For vessel wall imaging (VWI), a high-resolution compressed-sensing black-blood 3D T1-weighted fast (turbo) spin echo sequence (T1 CS-SPACE prototype) was applied post gadolinium with an isotropic resolution of 0.55 mm. Bilateral proximal intradural ICA and VA segments were evaluated for presence, morphology, and longitudinal extension of VWE. Results Concentric VWE of the proximal intradural ICA was found in 13 (30%) patients, and of the proximal intradural VA in 39 (91%) patients. Mean longitudinal extension of VWE after dural entry was 13 mm in the VA and 2 mm in the ICA. In 14 of 39 patients (36%) with proximal intradural VWE, morphology of VWE was suggestive of the mere presence of vasa vasorum. In 25 patients (64 %), morphology indicated atherosclerotic lesions in addition to vasa vasorum. Conclusions Vasa vasorum may account for concentric VWE within the proximal 2 mm of the ICA and 13 mm of the VA after dural entry in elderly subjects. Concentric VWE in these locations should not be confused with large artery vasculitis. Distal to these segments, VWE may be more likely related to pathologic conditions such as vasculitis. KW - vertebral artery KW - magnetic resonance imaging KW - vasa vasorum KW - large artery vasculitis KW - Atherosclerosis, intracranial arteries Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-266524 SN - 1432-1084 VL - 32 IS - 2 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Herz, Stefan A1 - Stefanescu, Maria R. A1 - Lohr, David A1 - Vogel, Patrick A1 - Kosmala, Aleksander A1 - Terekhov, Maxim A1 - Weng, Andreas M. A1 - Grunz, Jan-Peter A1 - Bley, Thorsten A. A1 - Schreiber, Laura M. T1 - Effects of image homogeneity on stenosis visualization at 7 T in a coronary artery phantom study: With and without B1-shimming and parallel transmission JF - PloS One N2 - Background To investigate the effects of B\(_1\)-shimming and radiofrequency (RF) parallel transmission (pTX) on the visualization and quantification of the degree of stenosis in a coronary artery phantom using 7 Tesla (7 T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods Stenosis phantoms with different grades of stenosis (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%; 5 mm inner vessel diameter) were produced using 3D printing (clear resin). Phantoms were imaged with four different concentrations of diluted Gd-DOTA representing established arterial concentrations after intravenous injection in humans. Samples were centrally positioned in a thorax phantom of 30 cm diameter filled with a custom-made liquid featuring dielectric properties of muscle tissue. MRI was performed on a 7 T whole-body system. 2D-gradient-echo sequences were acquired with an 8-channel transmit 16-channel receive (8 Tx / 16 Rx) cardiac array prototype coil with and without pTX mode. Measurements were compared to those obtained with identical scan parameters using a commercially available 1 Tx / 16 Rx single transmit coil (sTX). To assess reproducibility, measurements (n = 15) were repeated at different horizontal angles with respect to the B0-field. Results B\(_1\)-shimming and pTX markedly improved flip angle homogeneity across the thorax phantom yielding a distinctly increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) averaged over a whole slice relative to non-manipulated RF fields. Images without B\(_1\)-shimming showed shading artifacts due to local B\(_1\)\(^+\)-field inhomogeneities, which hampered stenosis quantification in severe cases. In contrast, B\(_1\)-shimming and pTX provided superior image homogeneity. Compared with a conventional sTX coil higher grade stenoses (60% and 80%) were graded significantly (p<0.01) more precise. Mild to moderate grade stenoses did not show significant differences. Overall, SNR was distinctly higher with B\(_1\)-shimming and pTX than with the conventional sTX coil (inside the stenosis phantoms 14%, outside the phantoms 32%). Both full and half concentration (10.2 mM and 5.1 mM) of a conventional Gd-DOTA dose for humans were equally suitable for stenosis evaluation in this phantom study. Conclusions B\(_1\)-shimming and pTX at 7 T can distinctly improve image homogeneity and therefore provide considerably more accurate MR image analysis, which is beneficial for imaging of small vessel structures. KW - stenosis KW - magnetic resonance imaging KW - thorax KW - in vivo imaging KW - coronary arteries KW - image processing KW - 3D printing KW - signal to noise ratio Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-300129 VL - 17 IS - 6 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Huflage, Henner A1 - Karsten, Sebastian A1 - Kunz, Andreas Steven A1 - Conrads, Nora A1 - Jakubietz, Rafael Gregor A1 - Jakubietz, Michael Georg A1 - Pennig, Lenhard A1 - Goertz, Lukas A1 - Bley, Thorsten Alexander A1 - Schmitt, Rainer A1 - Grunz, Jan-Peter T1 - Improved diagnostic accuracy for ulnar-sided TFCC lesions with radial reformation of 3D sequences in wrist MR arthrography JF - European Radiology N2 - Objectives Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries frequently cause ulnar-sided wrist pain and can induce distal radioulnar joint instability. With its complex three-dimensional structure, diagnosis of TFCC lesions remains a challenging task even in MR arthrograms. The aim of this study was to assess the added diagnostic value of radial reformatting of isotropic 3D MRI datasets compared to standard planes after direct arthrography of the wrist. Methods Ninety-three patients underwent wrist MRI after fluoroscopy-guided multi-compartment arthrography. Two radiologists collectively analyzed two datasets of each MR arthrogram for TFCC injuries, with one set containing standard reconstructions of a 3D thin-slice sequence in axial, coronal and sagittal orientation, while the other set comprised an additional radial plane view with the rotating center positioned at the ulnar styloid. Surgical reports (whenever available) or radiological reports combined with clinical follow-up served as a standard of reference. In addition, diagnostic confidence and assessability of the central disc and ulnar-sided insertions were subjectively evaluated. Results Injuries of the articular disc, styloid and foveal ulnar attachment were present in 20 (23.7%), 10 (10.8%) and 9 (9.7%) patients. Additional radial planes increased diagnostic accuracy for lesions of the styloid (0.83 vs. 0.90; p = 0.016) and foveal (0.86 vs. 0.94; p = 0.039) insertion, whereas no improvement was identified for alterations of the central cartilage disc. Readers' confidence (p < 0.001) and assessability of the ulnar-sided insertions (p < 0.001) were superior with ancillary radial reformatting. Conclusions Access to the radial plane view of isotropic 3D sequences in MR arthrography improves diagnostic accuracy and confidence for ulnar-sided TFCC lesions. KW - joint instability KW - wrist KW - arthrography KW - magnetic resonance imaging KW - triangular fibrocartilage Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-266512 SN - 1432-1084 VL - 31 IS - 12 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schnabel, Renate B. A1 - Camen, Stephan A1 - Knebel, Fabian A1 - Hagendorff, Andreas A1 - Bavendiek, Udo A1 - Böhm, Michael A1 - Doehner, Wolfram A1 - Endres, Matthias A1 - Gröschel, Klaus A1 - Goette, Andreas A1 - Huttner, Hagen B. A1 - Jensen, Christoph A1 - Kirchhof, Paulus A1 - Korosoglou, Grigorius A1 - Laufs, Ulrich A1 - Liman, Jan A1 - Morbach, Caroline A1 - Navabi, Darius Günther A1 - Neumann-Haefelin, Tobias A1 - Pfeilschifter, Waltraut A1 - Poli, Sven A1 - Rizos, Timolaos A1 - Rolf, Andreas A1 - Röther, Joachim A1 - Schäbitz, Wolf Rüdiger A1 - Steiner, Thorsten A1 - Thomalla, Götz A1 - Wachter, Rolf A1 - Haeusler, Karl Georg T1 - Expert opinion paper on cardiac imaging after ischemic stroke JF - Clinical Research in Cardiology N2 - This expert opinion paper on cardiac imaging after acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) includes a statement of the "Heart and Brain" consortium of the German Cardiac Society and the German Stroke Society. The Stroke Unit-Commission of the German Stroke Society and the German Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET) endorsed this paper. Cardiac imaging is a key component of etiological work-up after stroke. Enhanced echocardiographic tools, constantly improving cardiac computer tomography (CT) as well as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offer comprehensive non- or less-invasive cardiac evaluation at the expense of increased costs and/or radiation exposure. Certain imaging findings usually lead to a change in medical secondary stroke prevention or may influence medical treatment. However, there is no proof from a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that the choice of the imaging method influences the prognosis of stroke patients. Summarizing present knowledge, the German Heart and Brain consortium proposes an interdisciplinary, staged standard diagnostic scheme for the detection of risk factors of cardio-embolic stroke. This expert opinion paper aims to give practical advice to physicians who are involved in stroke care. In line with the nature of an expert opinion paper, labeling of classes of recommendations is not provided, since many statements are based on expert opinion, reported case series, and clinical experience. KW - cardiac imaging KW - echocardiography KW - ischemic stroke KW - transient ischemic attack KW - expert opinion KW - magnetic resonance imaging KW - computed tomography Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-266662 SN - 1861-0692 VL - 110 IS - 7 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Terekhov, Maxim A1 - Elabyad, Ibrahim A. A1 - Schreiber, Laura M. T1 - Global optimization of default phases for parallel transmit coils for ultra-high-field cardiac MRI JF - PLoS One N2 - The development of novel multiple-element transmit-receive arrays is an essential factor for improving B\(_1\)\(^+\) field homogeneity in cardiac MRI at ultra-high magnetic field strength (B\(_0\) > = 7.0T). One of the key steps in the design and fine-tuning of such arrays during the development process is finding the default driving phases for individual coil elements providing the best possible homogeneity of the combined B\(_1\)\(^+\)-field that is achievable without (or before) subject-specific B\(_1\)\(^+\)-adjustment in the scanner. This task is often solved by time-consuming (brute-force) or by limited efficiency optimization methods. In this work, we propose a robust technique to find phase vectors providing optimization of the B-1-homogeneity in the default setup of multiple-element transceiver arrays. The key point of the described method is the pre-selection of starting vectors for the iterative solver-based search to maximize the probability of finding a global extremum for a cost function optimizing the homogeneity of a shaped B\(_1\)\(^+\)-field. This strategy allows for (i) drastic reduction of the computation time in comparison to a brute-force method and (ii) finding phase vectors providing a combined B\(_1\)\(^+\)-field with homogeneity characteristics superior to the one provided by the random-multi-start optimization approach. The method was efficiently used for optimizing the default phase settings in the in-house-built 8Tx/16Rx arrays designed for cMRI in pigs at 7T. KW - optimization KW - magnetic resonance imaging KW - power grids KW - swine KW - electromagnetics KW - linear regression analysis KW - thorax KW - wave interference Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-265737 VL - 16 IS - 8 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Andelovic, Kristina A1 - Winter, Patrick A1 - Jakob, Peter Michael A1 - Bauer, Wolfgang Rudolf A1 - Herold, Volker A1 - Zernecke, Alma T1 - Evaluation of plaque characteristics and inflammation using magnetic resonance imaging JF - Biomedicines N2 - Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease of large and medium-sized arteries, characterized by the growth of atherosclerotic lesions (plaques). These plaques often develop at inner curvatures of arteries, branchpoints, and bifurcations, where the endothelial wall shear stress is low and oscillatory. In conjunction with other processes such as lipid deposition, biomechanical factors lead to local vascular inflammation and plaque growth. There is also evidence that low and oscillatory shear stress contribute to arterial remodeling, entailing a loss in arterial elasticity and, therefore, an increased pulse-wave velocity. Although altered shear stress profiles, elasticity and inflammation are closely intertwined and critical for plaque growth, preclinical and clinical investigations for atherosclerosis mostly focus on the investigation of one of these parameters only due to the experimental limitations. However, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been demonstrated to be a potent tool which can be used to provide insights into a large range of biological parameters in one experimental session. It enables the evaluation of the dynamic process of atherosclerotic lesion formation without the need for harmful radiation. Flow-sensitive MRI provides the assessment of hemodynamic parameters such as wall shear stress and pulse wave velocity which may replace invasive and radiation-based techniques for imaging of the vascular function and the characterization of early plaque development. In combination with inflammation imaging, the analyses and correlations of these parameters could not only significantly advance basic preclinical investigations of atherosclerotic lesion formation and progression, but also the diagnostic clinical evaluation for early identification of high-risk plaques, which are prone to rupture. In this review, we summarize the key applications of magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of plaque characteristics through flow sensitive and morphological measurements. The simultaneous measurements of functional and structural parameters will further preclinical research on atherosclerosis and has the potential to fundamentally improve the detection of inflammation and vulnerable plaques in patients. KW - atherosclerosis KW - mouse models KW - wall shear stress KW - pulse wave velocity KW - arterial elasticity KW - inflammation KW - magnetic resonance imaging Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-228839 SN - 2227-9059 VL - 9 IS - 2 ER -