title: High resolution MR eye protocol optimization: Comparison between 3D-CISS, 3D-PSIF and 3D-VIBE sequences.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare selected MRI pulse sequences and to evaluate their utility for depicting specific anatomic regions in the eye.
  
  
  METHODS
  A High-Resolution (HR) 0.08 × 0.08 × 0.60 mm(3) MRI protocol was developed on a 1.5-T clinical system and applied in the left eye of an albino rabbit, utilizing a small field of view surface coil. The comprehensive MRI protocol consisted of two 3D (T2/T1)w sequences (3D-PSIF and 3D-CISS), and one 3D T1w sequence (3D-VIBE). The T1w 3D-VIBE sequence was acquired, before and after intravenous injection of 0.2 mmol/kgr gadolinium-DTPA. Signal-to-Noise Ratios (SNR) and Contrast-to-Noise Ratios (CNR) amongst specific eye anatomical areas were calculated for each sequence. The presence of artifacts was rated subjectively utilizing a 5 point scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  3D-PSIF and 3D-CISS provide better delineation and visualization of the eye as compared with 3D-VIBE sequences. 3D-CISS images present the highest SNR and revealed better discrimination of the ocular surrounding tissues; its basic drawback though is related to ghost artifacts appearing in the anterior chamber and resulting in the lowest image quality. In post-contrast imaging, the T1w 3D-VIBE sequence provided the best overall image quality. Moreover, 3D (T2/T1)w sequences can provide good anatomic depiction of the eye segments. Agreement between the two independent readers was good.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Optimization of a comprehensive MR eye imaging protocol is achieved. A higher SNR, a better spatial resolution and a reduction of the total scan time were obtained, thus making clinical MRI systems more reliable in eye imaging.
authors: Department of Medical Physics, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece; Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece; Institute for Nuclear and Radiological Sciences, Technology, Energy and Safety, National Center of Scientific Research "Demokritos", Aghia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: rtsiapa@gmail.com.
authors: Irene
authors: I
authors: Tsiapa
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors: Miltiadis K
authors: MK
authors: Tsilimbaris
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors: Efrosini
authors: E
authors: Papadaki
authors: Institute for Nuclear and Radiological Sciences, Technology, Energy and Safety, National Center of Scientific Research "Demokritos", Aghia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece.
authors: Penelope
authors: P
authors: Bouziotis
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors: Ioannis G
authors: IG
authors: Pallikaris
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors: Apostolos H
authors: AH
authors: Karantanas
authors: Department of Medical Physics, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors: Thomas G
authors: TG
authors: Maris
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005123:Eye; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011817:Rabbits
keywords: High-resolution MRI; MR eye; Ocular tissues; Ophthalmology