Yijing Wu

Highly constrained backprojection for time‐resolved MRI

Recent work in k‐t BLAST and undersampled projection angiography has emphasized the value of using training data sets obtained during the acquisition of a series of images. These techniques have used iterative algorithms guided by the training set information to reconstruct time frames sampled at well below the Nyquist limit. We present here a simple non‐iterative unfiltered backprojection algorithm that incorporates the idea of a composite image consisting of portions or all of the acquired data to constrain the backprojection process. This significantly reduces streak artifacts and increases the overall SNR, permitting decreased numbers of projections to be used when acquiring each image in the image time series. For undersampled 2D projection imaging applications, such as cine phase contrast (PC) angiography, our results suggest that the angular undersampling factor, relative to Nyquist requirements, can be increased from the present factor of 4 to about 100 while increasing SNR per individual time frame. Results are presented for a contrast‐enhanced PR HYPR TRICKS acquisition in a volunteer using an angular undersampling factor of 75 and a TRICKS temporal undersampling factor of 3 for an overall undersampling factor of 225. Magn Reson Med, 2006.

Improved Waveform Fidelity Using Local HYPR Reconstruction (HYPR LR)

The recently introduced HYPR (HighlY constrained backPRojection) method allows reconstruction of serial images from highly undersampled data. In HYPR, individual timeframes are obtained via unfiltered backprojections of normalized sinograms using anatomical constraints provided by a composite image. Here we develop the idea of constraining the backprojected data further to a series of local regions of interest in order to decrease the corruption of local information by distant signals. HYPR LR (local reconstruction) permits the use of a longer temporal window in the formation of the composite image, resulting in increased signal‐to‐noise ratio and quantitative reconstruction accuracy. Unlike HYPR, the new HYPR LR method can be applied to images acquired with arbitrary k‐space trajectories. It is suitable for a broad range of medical imaging applications involving serial changes in image sequence, offering exciting new opportunities in the future. Magn Reson Med 59:456–462, 2008.

PC HYPR flow: A technique for rapid imaging of contrast dynamics

To improve spatial and temporal resolution and signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) in three‐dimensional (3D) radial contrast‐enhanced (CE) time‐resolved MR angiography by means of a novel hybrid phase contrast (PC) and CE MRA acquisition and HYPR reconstruction (PC HYPR Flow).

Myelin water fraction in human cervical spinal cord in vivo.

Abstract: The noninvasive discrimination of myelin disease from axonal loss and other pathologic confounds remains an unsolved problem in multiple sclerosis but may be possible through magnetic resonance quantitation of the intramyelinic water compartment. Technical challenges have limited the study of this approach in the spinal cord, a common site of involvement in multiple sclerosis. This technical note reports the test-retest reproducibility of a short T2-based estimate of myelin content in human spinal cord in vivo.

High resolution three-dimensional cine phase contrast MRI of small intracranial aneurysms using a stack of stars k-space trajectory

To develop a method for targeted volumetric, three directional cine phase contrast (PC) imaging with high spatial resolution in clinically feasible scan times.

Velocity Measurements in the Middle Cerebral Arteries of Healthy Volunteers Using 3D Radial Phase-Contrast HYPRFlow: Comparison with Transcranial Doppler Sonography and 2D Phase-Contrast MR Imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We have developed PC HYPRFlow, a comprehensive MRA technique that includes a whole-brain CE dynamic series followed by PC velocity-encoding, yielding a time series of high-resolution morphologic angiograms with associated velocity information. In this study, we present velocity data acquired by using the PC component of PC HYPRFlow (PC-VIPR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers (6 women, 4 men) were scanned by using PC HYPRFlow and 2D-PC imaging, immediately followed by velocity measurements by using TCD. Velocity measurements were made in the M1 segments of the MCAs from the PC-VIPR, 2D-PC, and TCD examinations. RESULTS: PC-VIPR showed approximately 30% lower mean velocity compared with TCD, consistent with other comparisons of TCD with PC-MRA. The correlation with TCD was r = 0.793, and the correlation of PC-VIPR with 2D-PC was r = 0.723. CONCLUSIONS: PC-VIPR is a technique capable of acquiring high-resolution MRA of diagnostic quality with velocity data comparable with TCD and 2D-PC. The combination of velocity information and fast high-resolution whole-brain morphologic angiograms makes PC HYPRFlow an attractive alternative to current MRA methods.

Hemodynamic Changes in Patients with Arteriovenous Malformations Assessed Using High-Resolution 3D Radial Phase-Contrast MR Angiography

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Arteriovenous malformations have a high lifetime risk of hemorrhage; however, treatment carries a significant risk of morbidity and mortality, including permanent neurologic sequelae. WSS and other hemodynamic parameters are altered in patients with symptomatic AVMs, and analysis of hemodynamics may have value in stratifying patients into different risk groups. In this study, we examined hemodynamic data from patients with stable symptoms and those who presented with acute symptoms to identify trends which may help in risk stratification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Phase-contrast MRA using a radial readout (PC-VIPR) is a fast, high-resolution technique that can acquire whole-brain velocity-encoded angiograms with scan times of approximately 5 minutes. Ten patients with AVMs were scanned using PC-VIPR; velocity, area, flow, and WSS in vessels feeding the AVMs and normal contralateral vessels were calculated using velocity data from the phase-contrast acquisition. RESULTS: Patients with an asymptomatic presentation or mild symptoms (n = 4) had no significant difference in WSS in feeding vessels compared with normal contralateral vessels, whereas patients presenting with hemorrhage, severe headaches/seizures, or focal neurologic deficits (n = 6) had significantly higher WSS in feeding vessels compared with contralateral vessels. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we demonstrate that estimates of WSS and other hemodynamic parameters can be obtained noninvasively in patients with AVMs in clinically useful imaging times. Variation in WSS between feeders and normal vessels appears to relate to the clinical presentation of the patient. Further analysis of hemodynamic changes may improve characterization and staging of AVM patients, when combined with existing risk factors.

Comparison of temporal filtering methods for dynamic contrast MRI myocardial perfusion studies

Dynamic contrast myocardial perfusion studies may benefit from methods that speed up the acquisition. Unaliasing by Fourier encoding the overlaps using the temporal dimension (UNFOLD), and a similar linear interpolation method have been shown to be effective at reducing the number of phase encodes needed for cardiac wall motion studies by using interleaved sampling and temporal filtering. Here such methods are evaluated in cardiac dynamic contrast studies, with particular regard to the effects of the choice of filter and the interframe motion. Four different filters were evaluated using a motion‐free canine study. Full k‐space was acquired and then downsampled to allow for a measure of truth. The different filters gave nearly equivalent images and quantitative flow estimates compared to full k‐space. The effect of respiratory motion on these schemes was graphically depicted, and the performance of the four temporal filters was evaluated in seven human subjects with respiratory motion present. The four filters provided images of similar quality. However, none of the filters were effective at eliminating motion artifacts. Motion registration methods or motion‐free acquisitions may be necessary to make these reduced FOV approaches clinically useful. Magn Reson Med 49:895–902, 2003.

Noncontrast dynamic 3D intracranial MR angiography using pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (PCASL) and accelerated 3D radial acquisition.

To develop a novel dynamic 3D noncontrast magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) technique that combines dynamic pseudo‐continuous arterial spin labeling (dynamic PCASL), accelerated 3D radial sampling (VIPR), and time‐of‐arrival (TOA) mapping to provide quantitative assessment of arterial flow.

Fast Whole-Brain 4D Contrast-Enhanced MR Angiography with Velocity Encoding Using Undersampled Radial Acquisition and Highly Constrained Projection Reconstruction: Image-Quality Assessment in Volunteer Subjects

SUMMARY: We report on the image quality obtained by using fast contrast-enhanced whole-brain 4D radial MRA with 0.75-second temporal resolution, isotropic submillimeter spatial resolution, and velocity encoding (HYPRFlow). Images generated by HYPR-LR by using the velocity-encoded data as the constraining image were of diagnostic quality. In addition, we demonstrate that measurements of shear stress within the middle cerebral artery can be derived from the high-resolution 3D velocity data.