scholarly journals Effects of signal-to-noise ratio on the accuracy and reproducibility of diffusion tensor imaging–derived fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, and principal eigenvector measurements at 1.5T

2007 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 756-767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan A.D. Farrell ◽  
Bennett A. Landman ◽  
Craig K. Jones ◽  
Seth A. Smith ◽  
Jerry L. Prince ◽  
...  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Youngseob Seo ◽  
Nancy K. Rollins ◽  
Zhiyue J. Wang

Abstract Accurate quantification of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) in MR diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) requires adequate signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) especially in low FA areas of the brain, which necessitates clinically impractical long image acquisition times. We explored a SNR enhancement strategy using region-of-interest (ROI)-based diffusion tensor for quantification. DTI scans from a healthy male were acquired 15 times and combined into sets with different number of signal averages (NSA = 1–4, 15) at one 1.5-T Philips and three 3-T (Philips, Siemens and GE) scanners. Equivalence test was performed to determine NSA thresholds for bias-free FA and MD quantifications by comparison with reference values derived from images with NSA = 15. We examined brain areas with low FA values including caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, putamen, superior temporal gyrus, and substructures within thalamus (lateral dorsal, ventral anterior and posterior nuclei), where bias-free FA is difficult to obtain using a conventional approach. Our results showed that bias-free FA can be obtained with NSA = 2 or 3 in some cases using ROI-based analysis. ROI-based analysis allows reliable FA and MD quantifications in various brain structures previously difficult to study with clinically feasible data acquisition schemes.


2011 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 1456-1463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel L. Polders ◽  
Alexander Leemans ◽  
Jeroen Hendrikse ◽  
Manus J. Donahue ◽  
Peter R. Luijten ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie C. Chuck ◽  
Günther Steidle ◽  
Iris Blume ◽  
Michael A. Fischer ◽  
Daniel Nanz ◽  
...  

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate to which degree investment of acquisition time in more encoding directions leads to better image quality (IQ) and what influence the number of encoding directions and the choice of b-values have on renal diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters. Material and Methods: Eight healthy volunteers (32.3 y ± 5.1 y) consented to an examination in a 1.5T whole-body MR scanner. Coronal DTI data sets of the kidneys were acquired with systematic variation of b-values (50, 150, 300, 500, and 700 s/mm2) and number of diffusion-encoding directions (6, 15, and 32) using a respiratory-triggered echo-planar sequence (TR/TE 1500 ms/67 ms, matrix size 128 × 128). Additionally, two data sets with more than two b-values were acquired (0, 150, and 300 s/mm2 and all six b-values). Parametrical maps were calculated on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Image quality was determined with a reader score. Results: Best IQ was visually assessed for images acquired with 15 and 32 encoding directions, whereas images acquired with six directions had significantly lower IQ ratings. Image quality, fractional anisotropy, and mean diffusivity only varied insignificantly for b-values between 300 and 500 s/mm2. In the renal medulla fractional anisotropy (FA) values between 0.43 and 0.46 and mean diffusivity (MD) values between 1.8-2.1 × 10-3 mm2/s were observed. In the renal cortex, the corresponding ranges were 0.24-0.25 (FA) and 2.2-2.8 × 10-3 mm2/s (MD). Including b-values below 300 s/mm2, notably higher MD values were observed, while FA remained constant. Susceptibility artifacts were more prominent in FA maps than in MD maps. Conclusion: In DTI of the kidneys at 1.5T, the best compromise between acquisition time and resulting image quality seems the application of 15 encoding directions with b-values between 300 and 500 s/mm2. Including lower b-values allows for assessment of fast diffusing spin components.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. e0132360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura-Ann McGill ◽  
Andrew D. Scott ◽  
Pedro F. Ferreira ◽  
Sonia Nielles-Vallespin ◽  
Tevfik Ismail ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farshid Sepehrband ◽  
Ryan P Cabeen ◽  
Jeiran Choupan ◽  
Giuseppe Barisano ◽  
Meng Law ◽  
...  

AbstractDiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has been extensively used to map changes in brain tissue related to neurological disorders. Among the most widespread DTI findings are increased mean diffusivity and decreased fractional anisotropy of white matter tissue in neurodegenerative diseases. Here we utilize multi-shell diffusion imaging to separate diffusion signal of the brain parenchyma from fluid within the white matter. We show that unincorporated anisotropic water in perivascular space (PVS) significantly, and systematically, biases DTI measures, casting new light on the biological validity of many previously reported findings. Despite the challenge this poses for interpreting these past findings, our results suggest that multi-shell diffusion MRI provides a new opportunity for incorporating the PVS contribution, ultimately strengthening the clinical and scientific value of diffusion MRI.HighlightsPerivascular space (PVS) fluid significantly contributes to diffusion tensor imaging metricsIncreased PVS fluid results in increased mean diffusivity and decreased fractional anisotropyPVS contribution to diffusion signal is overlooked and demands further investigation


2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 550-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacquie Hodge ◽  
Bradley Goodyear ◽  
Helen Carlson ◽  
Xing-Chang Wei ◽  
Adam Kirton

Perinatal stroke injures developing motor systems, resulting in hemiparetic cerebral palsy. Diffusion tensor imaging can explore structural connectivity. We used diffusion tensor imaging to assess corticospinal tract diffusion in hemiparetic children with perinatal stroke. Twenty-eight children (6-18 years) with unilateral stroke underwent diffusion tensor imaging. Four corticospinal tract assessments included full tract, partial tract, minitract and region of interest. Diffusion characteristics (fractional anisotropy, mean, axial, and radial diffusivity) were calculated. Ratios (lesioned/nonlesioned) were compared across segments and to validated long-term motor outcomes (Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure, Assisting Hand Assessment, Melbourne Assessment). Fractional anisotropy and radial diffusivity ratios decreased as tract size decreased, while mean diffusivity showed consistent symmetry. Poor motor outcomes were associated with lower fractional anisotropy in all segments and radial diffusivity correlated with both Assisting Hand Assessment and Melbourne Assessment. Diffusion imaging of segmented corticospinal tracts is feasible in hemiparetic children with perinatal stroke. Correlations with disability support clinical relevance and utility in model development for personalized rehabilitation.


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