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T1ρ‐based dynamic glucose‐enhanced (DGEρ) MRI at 3 T: method development and early clinical experience in the human brain
Author(s) -
Herz Kai,
Lindig Tobias,
Deshmane Anagha,
Schittenhelm Jens,
Skardelly Marco,
Bender Benjamin,
Ernemann Ulrike,
Scheffler Klaus,
Zaiss Moritz
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.27857
Subject(s) - human brain , computer science , neuroscience , medicine , psychology
Purpose The aim of this study was to translate the T 1 ρ‐based dynamic glucose‐enhanced (DGEρ) experiment from ultrahigh magnetic field strengths to a clinical field strength of 3 T. Although the protocol would seem to be as simple as gadolinium‐enhanced imaging, several obstacles had to be addressed, including signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), robustness of contrast, and postprocessing, especially motion correction. Methods Spin‐lock based presaturation and a 3D gradient‐echo snapshot readout were optimized for 3 T with regard to robustness, chemical exchange saturation transfer effect strength, and SNR. Postprocessing steps, including dynamic B 0 and motion correction, were analyzed and optimized in 7 healthy volunteers. The final protocol, including glucose injection, was applied to 3 glioblastoma patients. Results With appropriate postprocessing, motion‐related artifacts could be drastically reduced, and an SNR of approximately 90 could be achieved for a single dynamic measurement. In 2 patients with blood–brain barrier breakdown, a significant glucose uptake could be observed with a DGEρ effect strength in the range of 0.4% of the water signal. Thorough analysis of possible residual motion revealed that the statistical evidence can decrease when tested against pseudo effects attributed to uncorrected motion. Conclusion DGEρ imaging was optimized for clinical field strengths of 3 T, and a robust protocol was established for broader application. Early experience shows that DGEρ seems possible at 3 T and could not only be attributed to motion artifacts. Observed DGEρ maps showed unique patterns, partly matching with the T 1 ‐ce tumor ring enhancement. However, effect sizes are small and careful clinical application is necessary.