Development of diffusion-weighted image using a 0.3T open MRI.
The purpose of this study was to develop a new technique for diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) with a low-field scanner. DWI is becoming important for assessment of acute stroke. Until recently DWI required expensive technology. We developed multishot-DWI sequence for 0.3T open type MR imager. We prospectively studied forty patients on this 0.3T MRI and compared this DWI to single-shot-DWI by 1.5T-MRI. Group A: Twenty-four patients with acute cerebral infarctions detected by 1.5T-DWI were re-examined using 0.3T-DWI within 24 hours. Sixteen patients with acute cerebral infarctions detected by 0.3T-DWI were re-examined using 1.5T-DWI within 24 hours. In 22 (92%) of 24 cases, 0.3T-DWI showed high signal. In the other two patients, motion artifact distorted 0.3T-DWI. Group B: In all 16 patients, all infarctions detected by 0.3T-DWI showed high signal on 1.5T-DWI. These preliminary data show that, as long as the patient is able to keep still, multishot-DWI can be acquired successfully on a 0.3T open type MRI system.
Terada
H
H
Department of Radiology, Toho University Ohashi Hospital, Ohashi 2-17-6, Tokyo-Meguro 153-8515, Japan. terada@h08.itscom.net
Gomi
T
T
Harada
H
H
Chiba
T
T
Nakamura
T
T
Iwabuchi
S
S
Nemoto
H
H
Kawasaki
S
S
Watanabe
S
S
Nagamoto
M
M
Kawawa
Y
Y
Kohda
E
E
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000473:pathology*; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity