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- Wermer, Marieke J. H., et al.
(author)
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7 Tesla MRA for the differentiation between intracranial aneurysms and infundibula
- 2017
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In: Magnetic Resonance Imaging. - : Elsevier. - 0730-725X .- 1873-5894. ; 37, s. 16-20
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: The differentiation between an aneurysm and an infundibulum with time-of-flight MRA is often difficult. However, this distinction is important because it affects further patient follow-up. The purpose of this study was to assess the added value of high resolution 7 Tesla MRA for investigating small vascular lesions suspect for an aneurysm or an infundibulum.Materials and methods: We included patients in whom an intracranial vascular lesion was detected in our University Hospital and in whom the discrimination between a true aneurysms or an infundibulum could not be made on conventional 1.5 or 3 T MRI were included in the study. All patients underwent an additional 7 T time-of-flight MRA at higher spatial resolution.Results: We included 6 patients. The age range of the patients was 35–65 years and 5 of them were women. 1 out of 6 had a 1.5 T MRI, the other 5 patients had a 3 T MRI previous to the 7 T MRI. The lesion size varied between 0.9 mm and 2.0 mm. In 5 of the 6 patients the presence of an infundibulum could be proven using the high resolution of the 7 T MRA. All patients tolerated the 7 T MRI well.Conclusion: Our results suggest that high resolution and contrast of 7 T MRA provides added diagnostic value in discriminating between intracranial aneurysms and infundibula. This finding may have important consequences for patient follow-up and comfort because it might reduce unnecessary follow-up exams and decrease uncertainty about the diagnosis. Larger studies, however, are needed to confirm our findings.
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| 2. |
- Wezel, Joep, et al.
(author)
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A comparison of navigators, snap-shot field monitoring, and probe-based field model training for correcting B0-induced artifacts in T2*-weighted images at 7 T
- 2017
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In: Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. - : Wiley. - 0740-3194 .- 1522-2594. ; 78, s. 1373-1382
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PurposeTo compare methods for estimating B0 maps used in retrospective correction of high-resolution anatomical images at ultra-high field strength. The B0 maps were obtained using three methods: (1) 1D navigators and coil sensitivities, (2) field probe (FP) data and a low-order spherical harmonics model, and (3) FP data and a training-based model.MethodsData from nine subjects were acquired while they performed activities inducing B0 field fluctuations. Estimated B0 fields were compared with reference data, and the reductions of artifacts were compared in corrected T2* images.ResultsReduction of sum-of-squares difference relative to a reference image was evaluated, and Method 1 yielded the largest artifact reduction: 27 ± 15%, 20 ± 18% (mean ± 1 standard deviation) for deep breathing and combined deep breathing and hand motion activities. Method 3 performed almost as well (24 ± 18%, 15 ± 17%), provided that adequate training data were used, and Method 2 gave a similar result (21 ± 16%, 19 ± 17%).ConclusionThis study confirms that all of the investigated methods can be used in retrospective image correction. In terms of image quality, Method 1 had a small advantage, whereas the FP-based methods measured the B0 field slightly more accurately. The specific strengths and weaknesses of FPs and navigators should therefore be considered when determining which B0-estimation method to use.
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