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Quantitative MRI using STrategically Acquired Gradient Echo (STAGE): optimization for 1.5 T scanners and T1 relaxation map validation

European Radiology volume 31, pages 4504–4513 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objectives

The strategically acquired gradient echo (STAGE) protocol, developed for 3T scanners, allows one to derive quantitative maps such as T1, T2*, proton density, and quantitative susceptibility mapping in about 5 min. Our aim was to adapt the STAGE sequences for 1.5T scanners which are still commonly used in clinical practice. Furthermore, the accuracy and repeatability of the STAGE-derived T1 estimate were tested.

Methods

Flip angle (FA) optimization was performed using a theoretical simulation by maximizing signal-to-noise ratio, contrast-to-noise ratio, and T1 precision. The FA choice was further refined with the ISMRM/NIST phantom and in vivo acquisitions. The accuracy of the T1 estimate was assessed by comparing STAGE-derived T1 values with T1 maps obtained with an inversion recovery sequence. T1 accuracy was investigated for both the phantom and in vivo data. Finally, one subject was acquired 10 times once a week and a group of 27 subjects was scanned once. The T1 coefficient of variation (COV) was computed to assess scan-rescan and physiological variability, respectively.

Results

The FA1,2 = 7°,38° were identified as the optimal FA pair at 1.5T. The T1 estimate errors were below 3% and 5% for phantom and in vivo measurements, respectively. COV for different tissues ranged from 1.8 to 4.8% for physiological variability, and between 0.8 and 2% for scan-rescan repeatability.

Conclusion

The optimized STAGE protocol can provide accurate and repeatable T1 mapping along with other qualitative images and quantitative maps in about 7 min on 1.5T scanners. This study provides the groundwork to assess the role of STAGE in clinical settings.

Key Points

• The STAGE imaging protocol was optimized for use on 1.5T field strength scanners.

• A practical STAGE protocol makes it possible to derive quantitative maps (i.e., T1, T2*, PD, and QSM) in about 7 min at 1.5T.

• The T1 estimate derived from the STAGE protocol showed good accuracy and repeatability.

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Abbreviations

CN:

Caudate nucleus

CNR:

Contrast-to-noise ratio

COV:

Coefficient of variation

DR:

Dynamic range

FA:

Flip angle

FS:

Fractional signal

GM:

Gray matter

GP:

Globus pallidum

HV:

Healthy volunteers

MRI:

Magnetic resonance image

PD:

Proton density

PUT:

Putamen

QSM:

Quantitative susceptibility mapping

ROI:

Region of interest

SAR:

Specific absorption rate

SNR:

Signal-to-noise ratio

STAGE:

STrategically Acquired Gradient Echo

SWI:

Susceptibility-weighted imaging

TE:

Echo time

THA:

Thalamus

TI:

Inversion time

TR:

Repetition time

WM:

White matter

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Acknowledgments

The multi-echo SWI sequence was provided by Prof. Yongsheng Chen and Prof. Mark Haacke in collaboration with SIEMENS Healthineers with a C2P agreement.

Funding

This study has received funding by the Italian Ministry of Health (Ricerca Corrente and Rete IRCCS delle Neuroscienze e della Neuroriabilitazione - Neuroimaging).

Author information

Author notes

  1. Alice Pirastru and Yongsheng Chen contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. IRCCS, Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Via Alfonso Capecelatro, 66, 20148, Milan, Italy

    Alice Pirastru, Laura Pelizzari, Francesca Baglio, Mario Clerici & Maria Marcella Laganà

  2. Department of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4201 St Antoine St, Detroit, MI 48201, USA

    Yongsheng Chen & E. Mark Haacke

  3. Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Via Francesco Sforza, 35, Milan, 20122, Italy

    Mario Clerici

  4. The MRI Institute for Biomedical Research, 30200 Telegraph Rd, Bingham Farms, MI 48025, USA

    E. Mark Haacke

  5. Magnetic Resonance Innovations Inc, 30200 Telegraph Rd, Bingham Farms, MI 48025, USA

    E. Mark Haacke

  6. Department of Radiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 3990 John R St, Detroit, MI 48201, USA

    E. Mark Haacke

Authors
  1. Alice Pirastru
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  2. Yongsheng Chen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maria Marcella Laganà.

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Guarantor

The scientific guarantor of this publication is Dr. Maria Marcella Laganà.

Conflict of interest

Dr. Haacke works for SpinTech who owns the license for STAGE.

Statistics and biometry

No complex statistical methods were necessary for this paper.

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Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects in this study.

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Pirastru, A., Chen, Y., Pelizzari, L. et al. Quantitative MRI using STrategically Acquired Gradient Echo (STAGE): optimization for 1.5 T scanners and T1 relaxation map validation. Eur Radiol 31, 4504–4513 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-020-07515-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-020-07515-z

Keywords

  • Magnetic resonance imaging
  • Multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging
  • Brain
  • Phantoms, imaging