Phantom and in vivo study of the Look-Locher T1 mapping method.
This paper describes and tests the LL-EPI method for obtaining quantitative T1 estimates in a few seconds thereby allowing dynamic T1 studies. It is shown that the method works even when there is an inflow into the imaged volume, e.g., in a vessel. No calibration is needed. The method has been tested in a phantom study with several different scan parameter set-ups, with and without inflow. The method shows robustness and individual scan parameters and inflow rates do not influence the ability to calculate the Gd-DTPA concentration. Linearity prevail between the measured 1/T1 and the Gd-DTPA concentration in the range 150 < T1 < 2500 ms. In a dynamic Gd-DTPA phantom study, it was shown that the dynamic LL-EPI T1 mapping technique was three times more sensitive than the signal from a T2*-weighted EPI sequence. In an in vivo study, dynamic T1 mapping of the Gd-DTPA uptake in a meningioma was performed. Inspection of the uptake curves indicates that the method is feasible in clinical perfusion studies.
Karlsson
M
M
MR Research Center, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. magnus@mrc.ks.se
Nordell
B
B
D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D008579:Meningioma / Q000175:diagnosis; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA