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Fast 3D 1 H MRSI of the corticospinal tract in pediatric brain
Author(s) -
Kim DongHyun,
Gu Meng,
Cunningham Charles,
Chen Albert,
Baumer Fiona,
Glenn Orit A.,
Vigneron Daniel B.,
Spielman Daniel Mark,
Barkovich Anthony James
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.21394
Subject(s) - tractography , diffusion mri , corticospinal tract , neuroimaging , magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging , magnetic resonance imaging , nuclear medicine , nuclear magnetic resonance , medicine , radiology , physics , psychiatry
Purpose To develop a 1 H magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) sequence that can be used to image infants/children at 3T and by combining it with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography, extract relevant metabolic information corresponding to the corticospinal tract (CST). Materials and Methods A fast 3D MRSI sequence was developed for pediatric neuroimaging at 3T using spiral k‐space readout and dual band RF pulses (32 × 32 × 8 cm field of view [FOV], 1 cc iso‐resolution, TR/TE = 1500/130, 6:24 minute scan). Using DTI tractography to identify the motor tracts, spectra were extracted from the CSTs and quantified. Initial data from infants/children with suspected motor delay ( n = 5) and age‐matched controls ( n = 3) were collected and N ‐acetylaspartate (NAA) ratios were quantified. Results The average signal‐to‐noise ratio of the NAA peak from the studies was ≈22. Metabolite profiles were successfully acquired from the CST by using DTI tractography. Decreased NAA ratios in those with motor delay compared to controls of ≈10% at the CST were observed. Conclusion A fast and robust 3D MRSI technique targeted for pediatric neuroimaging has been developed. By combining with DTI tractography, metabolic information from the CSTs can be retrieved and estimated. By combining DTI and 3D MRSI, spectral information from various tracts can be obtained and processed. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;29:1–6. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.