title: Analysis of multiple sclerosis lesions using a fusion of 3.0 T FLAIR and 7.0 T SWI phase: FLAIR SWI.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To improve multiple sclerosis (MS) research by introducing a new type of contrast, namely, the combination of fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) data acquired at 3.0 T and 7.0 T susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) phase data. The approach of this new contrast is whole-brain coverage with 3.0 T-FLAIR data for lesion detection--currently limited at 7.0 T due to specific absorption rate (SAR) limits--overlaid with high-resolution, small vessel, and iron-related 7.0 T SWI contrast. Lesion analysis in terms of penetrating veins and local iron depositions were performed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 10 MS patients were acquired at 3.0 T and at 7.0 T. FLAIR data, acquired at 3.0 T, were registered to 7.0 T SWI phase data and SWI image processing was performed using 3.0 T FLAIR data instead of SWI magnitude data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 299 MS plaques were detected in eight MS patients. Penetrating veins were found in 75 MS plaques, iron depositions in 48 MS plaques, and veins accompanied with iron depositions in 44 MS plaques.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FLAIR-SWI provides radiologically known, hyperintense definition of MS lesions overlaid with high-resolution visualization of iron deposits and venous blood vessels and offers new insights into MS lesions.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Vienna, Department of Radiology, Vienna, Austria. ggrabner@gmx.at
authors.forename: Günther
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grabner
authors.forename: Assunta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dal-Bianco
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schernthaner
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vass
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lassmann
authors.forename: Siegfried
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trattnig
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology*; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007501:Iron