Objective: We aimed to develop a linear-systems model to evaluate the impact of mathematical assumptions related to multi-compartment 129Xe MRI methods. We employed a linear-systems approach to fill a knowledge gap associated with a single-point Dixon approach currently used for magnetization calculations and physiologic estimates. Methods: We generated a linear-systems model for magnetization calculations needed to generate multi-compartment 129Xe MRI data. 1Lung tissue and red-blood-cell compartments were isolated by acquiring data 90° out of phase and aligned with perpendicular quadrature channels. Results: In our linear-systems model, a single-lobe sinc-pulse in the time domain was used to excite 129Xe atoms in the tissue and red blood-cell compartments. We assumed that T2* exponential decay in the time domain was equivalent to convolution with a complex Lorentzian function in the frequency domain, and the gradient echo envelope was equivalent to convolution with a rectangular pulse with phase shifting. A rectangular window function and Dirac comb sampling in the time domain modeled analog-to-digital recording. Fast Fourier transforms were modelled by Dirac combs in both time and frequency domains. To account for non-uniform sampling, k-space was re-sampled using a unique sampling function convolution followed by Cartesian sampling. Phase inhomogeneities were corrected using reference gas and spectroscopy data. Conclusion: The proposed linear-system analysis provides a framework for modelling decay constants, peak overlap, and magnetization evolution common in multi-compartment 129Xe MRI. Understanding the spectral properties of 129Xe MRI will provide a way to identify novel compartments and their abnormalities in diverse pulmonary diseases.
Objective: We aimed to develop a user-friendly image-analysis pipeline to simultaneously generate perfusion and ventilation maps derived from Fourier decomposition of free-breathing pulmonary 1H magnetic resonance imaging (FDMRI). Methods: Free-breathing 1H MR images were non-rigidly deformed to a 1H reference image selected halfway between inspiration and expiration, using modality independent neighbourhood descriptor-based registration. The 1H reference image was segmented using multi-region coupled continuous max-flow. The co-registered image sequence was Fourier transformed on a voxel-by-voxel basis to generate images of the voxel-wise power spectrum. The two largest intensity peaks in the power spectrum corresponded to respiratory and cardiac frequencies, which were used to generate ventilation and perfusion maps, respectively. Perfusion and ventilation defects were measured using fuzzy c-means clustering in 15 asthmatics who provided written-informed-consent to pulmonary function tests and MRI. Results: The proposed FDMRI pipeline was used to generate perfusion maps in 15 asthma patients for direct comparison with 3He and FDMRI ventilation maps. FDMRI perfusion measurements were significantly correlated with FDMRI (r2=0.48, p=0.03) and 3He MRI ventilation (r2=0.44, p=0.05). Conclusion: Ventilation and perfusion free-breathing 1H MRI maps were generated in asthmatics with clinicallyacceptable accuracy and minimal user interaction using a pipeline compatible with high throughput clinical workflows.
Objective: Our aim was to develop and evaluate multi-parametric response maps derived from pulmonary x-ray computed tomography (CT), 1H and hyperpolarized 3He static ventilation and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These maps were generated to phenotype patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) based on the presence of airways disease, air trapping, emphysema, alveolar distension, and ventilation defects. Methods: To generate thoracic imaging multi-parametric response maps (mPRM), multispectral 1H, 3He and CT images were segmented and co-registered. 1H and 3He MR images were segmented using a semi-automated segmentation algorithm, the diffusion weighted MR images were segmented using a threshold-based algorithm and CT images were segmented using Pulmonary Workstation 2.0 (VIDA Diagnostics, Coralville, IA). The volume-matched segmented 1H/3He maps were registered using landmark rigid registration. The 3He maps/the diffusion weighted images were registered using an intensity-based rigid registration. CT-to-MRI co-registration was achieved using modality-independent neighborhood descriptor (MIND) deformable registration; inspiratory and expiratory CT were co-registered using an affine registration with a deformable step provided by the NiftyReg toolkit. The co-registered thoracic maps were used to generate multiparametric maps. Results: mPRM maps were generated for six different voxel classifications with increasing disease abnormality/severity as follows: 1) ventilated voxels with >-856HU/>-950HU and normal apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, 2) ventilated voxels with <-856HU/<-950HU and abnormal ADC values, 3) ventilated voxels with >-856HU/>-950HU and normal ADC values, 4) ventilated voxels with <-856HU/<-950HU and abnormal ADC values, 5) unventilated voxels with >-856HU/>-950HU, and, 6) unventilated voxels with <-856HU/<-950HU. Conclusion: mPRM measurements were automated in a dedicated pipeline for MRI and CT measurements to phenotype COPD patients.
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