Optimization of survey protocols for MRI.
A method for evaluating the sensitivity of MRI protocols to changes in an arbitrary number of tissue parameters over a broad range of parameter values is presented. This analysis is useful for choosing an optimal basis set of images for either a "survey" protocol or tissue segmentation algorithms. A survey protocol is required when searching for a lesion of unknown type or location. Segmentation requires unique signal signatures for tissues that may cover a broad range of tissue parameter values. Data acquisition is modeled as a mapping of a domain of tissue parameter values into a signal manifold in a signal strength space defined by the MRI protocol. The efficacy of the protocol is evaluated by investigating the characteristics of the signal manifold. A figure of merit which maximizes the probability of discriminating each point in the domain of tissue parameters from all others is developed.
McVeigh
E R
ER
Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Canada.
Henkelman
R M
RM
Bronskill
M J
MJ
D002985:Clinical Protocols; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity