Mathematical Modeling and Numerical Simulation of Magnetic Susceptibility Artifacts in Magnetic Resonance IMAGING*

Abstract

The technique used to recognise information in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is based on electromagnetic fields. A linearly varying field (around 10^?2 Tesla per meter) is added to a strong homogeneous magnetic field (order of magnitude of approximately one Tesla). When these fields are disturbed by the presence of a paramagnetic material, in the sample for instance, the resulting image is usually distorted, these distortions being termed artifacts. Our goal is to present a method, assuming the field disturbances are known, to construct the resulting images. A mathematical model of the MRI process is developed. The way the images are distorted in intensity and shape is explained and an algorithm to simulate magnetic susceptibility artifacts is deduced.     

Static magnetic field effects on human subjects related to magnetic resonance imaging systems

Goal: This paper reviews recent studies evaluating human subjects for physiologic or neuro-cognitive function adverse effects resulting from exposure to static magnetic fields of magnetic resonance imaging systems.

Materials and Methods: The results of three studies are summarized. Two studies evaluated exposure to a maximum of 8 Tesla (T). The first series studied 25 normal human subjects’ sequential vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygenation, core temperature, ECG, respiratory rate) measured at different magnetic field strengths to a maximum of 8 T. A second series of 25 subjects were studied at 0.05 and 8 T (out and in the bore of the magnet), performing 12 different standardized neuro-psychological tests and auditory–motor reaction times. The subjects’ comments were recorded immediately following the study and after a three-month interval. The third study contained 17 subjects, placed near the bore of a 1.5 T magnet, and it used six different cognitive, cognitive–motor, or sensory tests.

Results: There were no clinically significant changes in the subjects’ physiologic measurements at 8 T. There was a slight increase in the systolic blood pressure with increasing magnetic field strength. There did not appear to be any adverse effect on the cognitive performance of the subjects at 8 T. A few subjects commented at the time of initial exposure on dizziness, metallic taste in the mouth, or discomfort related to the measurement instruments or the head coil. There were no adverse comments at 3 months. The 1.5 T study had two of the four neuro-behavioral domains exhibiting adverse effects (sensory and cognitive–motor).

Conclusions: These studies did not demonstrate any clinically relevant adverse effects on neuro-cognitive testing or vital sign changes. One short-term memory, one sensory, and one cognitive–motor test demonstrated adverse effects, but the significance is not clear.     

Le diagnostic et le suivi thérapeutique des tumeurs cérébrales intra-parenchymateuses par l’imagerie par résonance magnétique multimodale

The multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MMRI) has an important role in cancer care. This non-invasive and non-ionizing technique provides vital information for the diagnosis and answers to various questions of clinicians before, during and after treatment. The MMRI can specify the localization expanding process; it allows establishing the differential diagnosis of a brain tumor and a circumscribed lesion of another type, to approach the diagnosis of the tumor lesion nature as well as establishing the histological grade of glial tumor in view of lesion monitoring after treatment. The multimodal magnetic resonance imaging has a major contribution to the management progress of the brain tumors. Thus, this paper reviews the value of these MRI modalities in the diagnosis, management and therapy of brain tumors.     

SD大鼠磁共振成像技术

目的：在常规磁共振成像仪（magnetic resonance imaging,MRI）上进行小型动物实验,探讨SD大鼠MRI最佳成像参数,为小型动物影像学实验研究提供参考.方法：采用西门子1.5T超导MR成像仪（Siemens Sonata, Erlangen, Germany）,膝关节专用线圈.选取雄性SD大鼠41只,体重250～400g,分5组依次进行T1加权（T1WI）、T2加权（T2WI）及质子密度加权成像,并比较5组参数成像的图像质量,确立Siemens Sonata 1.5T超导MR成像仪应用于大鼠的最佳成像参数.结果：T1WI采用SE序列、T2WI及质子密度加权采用TSE序列;T1WI、T2WI及质子密度加权的最佳成像参数分别为TR 350 ms/TE 12 ms、TR 2500 ms/TE 75 ms和TR 3000 ms/TE 15 ms.在MRI成像相关参数中,重复时间（TR）、回波时间（TE）主要影响对比度,决定权重;扫描野（FOV）、矩阵（Matrix）主要影响空间分辨率;层厚、激励次数（Nex）、带宽（Bandwidth）主要影响信噪比.结论：在常规MRI上进行小型动物实验切实可行,通过综合调节相应参数,不仅可以发现肝脏病变,证实了肝癌模型的成功建立,而且可以获得较理想的图像质量.     

Technologic advances in the imaging of ovarian morphology and their roles in ascertaining follicular growth and development in the rhesus monkey

Imaging follicular development has advanced notably from the invasive—laparotomy—to the relatively noninvasive—laparoscopy (making frequent observations over a single cycle possible)—to totally noninvasive approaches such as ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Now we can identify the dominant preovulatory follicle (DF) in macaques by day 6 of the menstrual cycle via laparoscopy and by day 6–8 via ultrasonography. MRI scans are remarkably correlated with histologic specimens. We obtained axial, coronal, and sagittal ovarian images with MRI software. Moreover, we are discerning structure/function relationships in ovarian estrogen-receptor systems using X-ray autoradiography and immunocytochemistry. We have localized the estrogen receptor in functional corpus luteum (CL) with ³H-estradiol and in germinal epithelium and granulosa cells with monoclonal antibody to the receptor. We believe that by using a combination of the aforementioned techniques, we will be able to investigate more fully the processes of recruitment and selection of ovarian follicles.     

Nuclear magnetic resonanceimaging of membrane permeability changes in plants during osmoticstress

The cell water balance of maize (Zea mays L., cv LG 11) andpearl millet (Pennisetum americanum L., cv MH 179) duringosmotic stress was studied non‐invasively using ¹H nuclearmagnetic resonance (NMR) microscopy. Single NMR parameter imagesof (i) the water content (ii) the transverse relaxation time (T₂)and (iii) the apparent diffusion coefficient (D_app)were used to follow the water status of the stem apical region duringosmotic stress. During stress there are hardly any changes in watercontent or T₂ of the stem region of maize. Incontrast, the apical tissue of pearl millet showed a ～ 30% decreaseof T₂ within 48 h of stress, whereasthe water content and D_app did not change. Thesechanges can be explained by an increase of the membrane permeabilityfor water. This conclusion is supported by results from scanningelectron microscopy, relaxation measurements of sugar solutionsand numerical simulations of the relaxation and (apparent) diffusionbehaviour of water in a plant cell.     

Physical interactions of static magnetic fields with living tissues

Clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was introduced in the early 1980s and has become a widely accepted and heavily utilized medical technology. This technique requires that the patients being studied be exposed to an intense magnetic field of a strength not previously encountered on a wide scale by humans. Nonetheless, the technique has proved to be very safe and the vast majority of the scans have been performed without any evidence of injury to the patient. In this article the history of proposed interactions of magnetic fields with human tissues is briefly reviewed and the predictions of electromagnetic theory on the nature and strength of these interactions are described. The physical basis of the relative weakness of these interactions is attributed to the very low magnetic susceptibility of human tissues and the lack of any substantial amount of ferromagnetic material normally occurring in these tissues. The presence of ferromagnetic foreign bodies within patients, or in the vicinity of the scanner, represents a very great hazard that must be scrupulously avoided. As technology and experience advance, ever stronger magnetic field strengths are being brought into service to improve the capabilities of this imaging technology and the benefits to patients. It is imperative that vigilance be maintained as these higher field strengths are introduced into clinical practice to assure that the high degree of patient safety that has been associated with MRI is maintained.     

兔大腿VX2移植瘤模型磁共振扩散成像研究

采用大腿肌肉注射法建立兔VX2肿瘤模型,于造模后第7天、14天及21天进行磁共振成像(MRI)平扫、增强及扩散加权成像(DWI)检查,观察不同时期MRI表现。并于造模后第21天对照大体标本测量结果比较DWI及T2WI图像肿瘤最大径,同时比较肿瘤实体部分与髂窝内转移淋巴结的表观弥散系数(ADC)值。结果显示,造模后第7天,12只模型兔MRI常规及DWI图像均可见成瘤;第14天,2例肿瘤内出现坏死灶;第21天,12例肿瘤内均出现坏死,DWI图像可发现局部淋巴结转移灶,DWI及T2WI图像肿瘤最大径与大体标本测量结果差别无统计学意义。髂窝内转移淋巴结的ADC值与原发肿瘤实体部分ADC值间差别无统计学意义。DWI可以监测兔大腿VX2肿瘤生长,有效区分肿瘤早期坏死成分,并判断相应引流区域淋巴结的性质。     

磁共振胰胆管成像联合增强扫描在壶腹周围病变中的价值

目的探讨磁共振胰胆管成像（MRCP）在壶腹周围病变中的应用价值。方法采用重T2加权MR水成像技术对63例患者行MRCP检查,图像经三维最大信号强度投影（3DMIP）后处理。结果63例患者中,3例为正常,60例发现不同程度病变,其中肿瘤患者36例（9例肝门区原发性胆管细胞癌、2例肝门转移癌、5例原发性肝癌、4例肝外胆管癌、5例壶腹癌、8例胰头癌、3例十二指肠癌）,灵敏度为93．2％;结石患者16例（6例胆总管结石、6例胆囊结石、4例肝总管结石）,灵敏度为89．5％;炎症患者8例（3例胆管炎、3例胰腺炎、2例十二指肠憩室合并感染）,灵敏度为83．2％。均与病理或临床诊断无统计学差异（P〉0．05）。结论MRCP可准确显示胆管梗阻部位,明确病变性质,对非梗阻性胆胰疾病,MRCP可显示病变与周围脏器的毗邻关系,但不能脱离MRI平扫和增强,是后者的一种有效补充。     

Development of a system for simultaneous dissolution studies and magnetic resonance imaging of water transport in hydrodynamically balanced systems: A technical note

Summary and Conclusions  Without disturbing the observed processes, the MRI methods combined with the dissolution studies provide insight into the phenomena occurring when the dosage form comes into contact with aqueous fluids. The MR images allow one to observe the solvent penetration into the hydrophilic matrix and the hydrogel formation. The data obtained in the MRI studies complement information obtained from the dissolution studies. The analysis of MR images may support the explanation of differences in the drug-releasing or floating properties of HBS. Published: February 23, 2007     

医学领域的磁共振成像革命——2003年诺贝尔生理及医学奖主要工作介绍

在磁场中 ,自旋的原子核会吸收频率与其自旋频率相同的电磁波 ,使自身能量增加 ,发生能级跃迁 ,当原子核迁移回原能级时 ,就会把多余的能量以电磁波的形式释放出来 ,称为核磁共振 (NMR) .磁共振成像(MRI)利用这一原理 ,依据所释放的能量在物质内部不同结构环境中不同的衰减 ,通过外加梯度磁场检测所发射出的电磁波 ,即可得知构成这一物体原子核的位置和种类 ,据此可以绘制成物体内部的结构图像 .将这种技术用于人体内部结构的成像 ,就产生出一种革命性的医学诊断工具 .快速变化的梯度磁场的应用 ,大大加快了磁共振成像的速度 ,使该技术在临床诊断、科学研究的应用成为现实 ,极大地推动了医学、神经生理学和认知神经科学的迅速发展     

Recovery characteristics of a rigid,nonmetallic microdialysis probe for use in an electromagnetic field

It is well known that metal objects perturb electromagnetic fields. Therefore, a conventional metal microdialysis probe cannot be used to determine the bioeffects of electromagnetic radiation. Using fused-silica tubing, we developed an inexpensive nonmetallic, rigid microdialysis probe for use in electromagnetic radiation research or during magnetic resonance imaging. This probe has a concentric tube design, with the membrane length adjustable to the size of the area to be dialyzed. The probes tested had regenerated-cellulose membranes that were 3 mm in length. This report describes how to make this probe. Average relative recovery rates at flow rates of 2.0, 1.0, and 0.5 μl/min were 21%, 27%, and 42%, respectively. These rates were slightly lower than the 30%, 42%, and 68% obtained with the commercially available metallic CMA10 microdialysis probe with a 3 mm membrane. This may be due to the fused-silica probe and CMA10 probe being made with different types of dialysis membranes. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Magnetic nanoparticles for multi-imaging and drug delivery

Various bio-medical applications of magnetic nanoparticles have been explored during the past few decades. As tools that hold great potential for advancing biological sciences, magnetic nanoparticles have been used as platform materials for enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents, biological separation and magnetic drug delivery systems, and magnetic hyperthermia treatment. Furthermore, approaches that integrate various imaging and bioactive moieties have been used in the design of multi-modality systems, which possess synergistically enhanced properties such as better imaging resolution and sensitivity, molecular recognition capabilities, stimulus responsive drug delivery with on-demand control, and spatio-temporally controlled cell signal activation. Below, recent studies that focus on the design and synthesis of multi-mode magnetic nanoparticles will be briefly reviewed and their potential applications in the imaging and therapy areas will be also discussed.