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Anmol Monga¹, Hector Lise De Moura¹, Richard Kijowski¹, and Ravinder Regatte^1
1Radiology, Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAI2R), Department of Radiology, New York Langone Health, New York, NY, United States

Keywords: MR Fingerprinting, Osteoarthritis, Bilateral Hip Imaging

Motivation: MR Fingerprinting (MRF) can accelerate simultaneous acquisition of multiple quantitative parametric maps with respect to conventional qMRI approaches.     

Goal(s): To demonstrate the feasibility of 3D bilateral hip  MRF to map T₁ , T₂ and T_1ρ in the hip Joint. 

Approach: 3D MRF maps of bilateral hip were acquired for 6 healthy subjects. Parametric maps estimated are compared against parametric maps estimated from VIBE variable flip angle and Turbo-Flash sequences.

Results: Parametric maps obtained from 3D MRF are  highly correlated (R-square > 0.89) with parametric maps from reference MRI ;   6.3% - 7.4% variance in 3D MRF parametric maps in repeatability test.    

Impact: 3D MR Fingerprinting (MRF) can accelerate the acquisition of parametric maps in the hip joint without considerably effecting the accuracy of the parametric maps. 

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Tom Griesler^1,2,3, Maximilian Gram^1,4, Jannik Stebani¹, Petra Albertova^1,4, Peter Dawood¹, Nicole Seiberlich^2,3, Peter Michael Jakob¹, and Martin Blaimer^5
1Experimental Physics 5, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany, ²Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States, ³Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States, ⁴Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany, ⁵Magnetic Resonance and X-Ray Imaging Department, Division Development Center X-Ray Technology, Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, Würzburg, Germany

Keywords: MR Fingerprinting, MR Fingerprinting, Myelin

Motivation: Volumetric measurements of the myelin water fraction in the human brain are hampered by long acquisition times.

 

Goal(s): Investigate the extent to which sequence optimization can improve the encoding efficiency of multi-compartment Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting.

 

Approach: Implement different cost functions to optimize MRF sequence parameters. Validate the results with simulations, one-dimensional projection measurements in phantoms and in vivo measurements.

 

Results: MRF sequence design has a significant influence on partial volume estimation with MRF. Optimization can yield improved tissue discrimination and more detailed myelin water fraction maps.

 

Impact: MRF sequence design has a significant influence on partial volume estimation, yielding potential for optimization of, for example, tissue discrimination and myelin water fraction mapping. Further investigation of cost functions and validation of results is needed.

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Tom Griesler^1,2, Jesse Hamilton^1,2, Sydney Kaplan^1,2, Evan Cummings^1,2, Nicole Seiberlich^1,2, and Gastao Cruz^2
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States, ²Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States

Keywords: MR Fingerprinting, MR Fingerprinting, Abdominal

Motivation: Optimal sequence design for magnetization-prepared abdominal MRF is largely unexplored. Optimization could potentially result in reduced scan times and increased precision and accuracy.
 

Goal(s): Investigate the predictive power of CRLB-based cost functions on the performance of magnetization-prepared MRF sequences.
 

Approach: Sequences with different preparation schemes were selected based on CRLB cost functions and evaluated in simulations and in vivo experiments. In the resulting T₁ and T₂ maps, precision and accuracy were compared to the relative performance predictions of the cost functions.
 

Results: The CRLB depends on selection and placement of preparation modules and is correlated with the quantification performance of the resulting sequences.
 

Impact: Preliminary simulations and experiments indicate that the CRLB correlates well with precision and accuracy in magnetization-prepared abdominal MRF, and may be used for the optimization of these sequences.
 

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Andrew Dupuis¹, Yong Chen², Mark A Griswold^1,2, and Rasim Boyacioglu^2
1Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States, ²Radiology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States

Keywords: MR Fingerprinting, MR Fingerprinting, Repeatability, Upgrade, Regional Analysis, MNI

Motivation: Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting relies on the stable performance of vendor hardware and software through-time. However, the effects of software upgrades on the repeatability of  quantitative protocols require evaluation.

Goal(s): Measure changes to MRF-derived T1 and T2 values resulting from a vendor-provided software upgrade.

Approach: 8 healthy volunteers were imaged before and after a software upgrade. Regional T1 and T2 changes were evaluated using correlation plots and MNI-derived regional means. 

Results: The evaluated sequence was similarly repeatable in both the intra-version test-retest case (T1: -0.49+/- 3.85%, T2: -0.53+/-7.59%) and pre- to post-upgrade (T1: -0.01+/-4.23% , T2: -2.10+/-8.44%).

Impact: Showing similar repeatability of 3D MRF maps before and after vendor software upgrade establishes performance reliability. The automated analysis pipeline does not require qualitative images and can be used to test MRF reproducibility in various stages of longitudinal studies.

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Rupsa Bhattacharjee¹, Xiaozhi Cao^2,3, Congyu Liao^2,3, Zheren Zhu¹, Zhitao Li², Sharmila Majumdar¹, Kawin Setsompop^2,3, and Yang Yang^1
1Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco, CA, United States, ²Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States, ³Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States

Keywords: MR Fingerprinting, Low-Field MRI

Motivation: Low-cost 0.55T-scanners pose an excellent opportunity to formulate efficient, fast, and quantitative T₂ mapping methods that could enhance the reach of early OA-diagnosis.

Goal(s): To analyze the feasibility of a novel, fast, and high-resolution MRF-scanning technique to quantify knee cartilage-T₂ overcoming the low SNR and inefficient gradient systems at 0.55T and compare against the MAPSS approach at 3.0T. 

Approach: A suite of techniques was leveraged for MRF, including an optimized-sampling-trajectory, subspace-reconstruction, locally-low-rank-constraint, gradient-waveform-correction, Cramer-Rao-Lower-Bound (CRLB)-optimization for flip-angle-patterns, motion-correction, and deep-learning-based-denoising.

Results:  The average T₂ increase at 0.55T compared to 3.0T provides a wider range for the depiction of granular regions of elevated cartilage-T₂ 

Impact: In this study, advanced techniques including CRLB-optimization, gradient trajectory correction, subspace reconstruction, attention-based denoising, and motion correction were included to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of a faster, higher-resolution Knee MRF acquisition on a cost-effective 0.55T scanner compare with 3.0T MAPSS.

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Cory R Wyatt^1,2, Thomas M Barbara², and Alexander R Guimaraes^1,2
1Diagnostic Radiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States, ²Advanced Imaging Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States

Keywords: MR Fingerprinting, MR Fingerprinting, Magnetization Transfer

Motivation: Magnetization transfer (MT) techniques allow for quantitative measurement of the macromolecular proton fraction (MPF) of tissues. However, the process of measuring these MT parameters can be lengthy and require many assumptions of T₁ and T₂. 

Goal(s): In this study, a magnetic resonance fingerprinting sequence is proposed that acquires T₁, T₂, and MPF using spin lock preparations.  

Approach: An MRF sequence was created using spin lock preparations of various off-resonance frequencies to create MT contrast.  The sequence was acquired in agarose phantoms and the human brain.

Results: Results showed increased MPF with increasing agarose concentration and in white matter.

Impact: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of using spin lock pulses for magnetization transfer MRF and allow for quick acquisition of MPF maps that are corrected for the T1 and T2 of the tissue. 

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Marta Lancione¹, Matteo Cencini², Elena Scaffei¹, Emilio Cipriano^1,3, Guido Buonincontri¹, Rolf F. Schulte⁴, Carolin M. Pirkl⁴, Bianca Buchignani¹, Rosa Pasquariello¹, Raffaello Canapicchi¹, Roberta Battini^1,5, Laura Biagi¹, and Michela Tosetti^1
1IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, Pisa, Italy, ²INFN Pisa Division, Pisa, Italy, ³Department of Physics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy, ⁴GE HealthCare, Munich, Germany, ⁵Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

Keywords: MR Fingerprinting, MR Fingerprinting, Myelin Water Fraction, White Matter

Motivation: Multicomponent Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting (MRF) provides Myelin Water Fraction (MWF) maps in clinically-compatible scan time. However, it still requires validation and assessment of sensitivity and robustness.

Goal(s): We aimed to assess MWF stability to model parameters variations, its spatial consistency in healthy children, and sensitivity to alterations in leukodystrophies.

Approach: Two-pool relaxation times and exchange were varied in a 10% range. MWF profiles were computed in main WM tracts. MWF sensitivity to alterations was compared to FA, R1, and R2.

Results: Model parameters changes led to minimal MWF variations. MWF revealed consistent spatial patterns in controls and showed the highest sensitivity to pathology.

Impact: MRF provides robust and sensitive measurements of MWF. As it also allows the simultaneous acquisition of high-resolution R1 and R2 maps in a short scan time, it may represent a clinically-applicable metric to assess and monitor WM disorders.

Xiaolu Li¹, Mengwan Zhao¹, Yueluan Jiang², and Guoguang Fan^1
1Department of Radiology, the first hospital of China medical University, ShenYang, China, ²MR Research Collaboration, Siemens Healthineers, Beijing China, Beijing, China

Keywords: MR Fingerprinting, MR Fingerprinting, Parkinson's Disease, basal ganglia, Relaxometry, Myelin water fraction imaging

Motivation: The diagnosis and monitoring of PD present formidable challenges due to the absence of objective and specific indicators. 

Goal(s): Our objective is to demonstrate the potential of MRF in improving PD diagnosis and monitoring, offering a more precise and objective assessment for the benefit of patients.

Approach: MRF sequences were used to quantitative brain tissue properties. By employing partial least squares and Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis, we explored MRF's potential in distinguishing PD and assessing disease severity.

Results: MRF sequences yield objective and quantifiable metrics for differentiation and severity assessment in PD patients. 

Impact: By providing reliable objective and quantifiable metrics, the use of MRF enhances the accuracy and reliability of PD assessment, leading to more precise interventions. This has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden on healthcare systems.

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Zhibo Zhu¹ and Krishna S. Nayak^1
1Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Keywords: MR Fingerprinting, MR Fingerprinting, Magnetization transfer effect

Motivation: MT effects influence MRF T₁ and T₂ quantifications and are stronger at lower field strength.

Goal(s): To evaluate the impact of EPGx dictionary generation on relaxometry performance for 0.55T FISP MRF.

Approach: We applied the EPG-X formalism with a two-pool model which incorporates MT parameters for dictionary simulation for 0.55T FISP MRF and covered a range of realistic MT parameters values. We applied the approach on 4 healthy subjects.

Results: Use of EPGx reduced T₂ bias (compared to single-echo spin echo) by 25% at a cost of 80% worse precision.

Impact: Simulating dictionary using the EPG-X formalism with a two-pool model can partially mitigate MT effects and may reduce T2 bias.

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Tiago Timoteo Fernandes¹, Enlin Qian², Pavan Poojar³, Rita G. Nunes¹, and Sairam Geethanath^3
1Institute for Systems and Robotics - Lisboa and Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico – Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, ²Columbia Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States, ³Accessible Magnetic Resonance Laboratory, Biomedical Imaging and Engineering Institute, Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States

Keywords: MR Fingerprinting, MR Fingerprinting, Synthetic Imaging; Non-synthetic Imaging;

Motivation: Quantitative MR (qMR) relaxometry allows monitoring of pediatric neuropathology. However, acquiring qualitative and qMR imaging is time-consuming and challenging, especially in pediatric patients.

Goal(s): To design a pulse sequence allowing both quantitative and non-synthetic weighted imaging, addressing the need for acceleration.

Approach: MR Fingerprinting (MRF) is the gold standard for simultaneous qMR mapping but does not provide non-synthetic images. We compare MRF versions to sequences designed using the 1-Look-Ahead approach to optimize gray (GM) to white matter (WM) contrast, including periods of stable signal for non-synthetic imaging.

Results: A promising signal control enabling quantitative mapping and good-quality weighted in vivo images.

Impact: Demonstration of the feasibility of controlled contrast and signal stability for quantitative and qualitative Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting using one-look ahead (1LA) flip angle design for accelerated scanning in the pediatric brain, increasing quality in T2-weighted images.

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Chenyang Liu¹, Lu Wang¹, Peng Cao², Tian Li¹, and Jing Cai^1
1Department of Health Technology and Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China, ²Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

Keywords: MR Fingerprinting, MR Fingerprinting, Motion Correction

Motivation: Current abdominal magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) techniques require breath-hold acquisition to avoid motion artifacts, which is difficult for patients with breathing difficulties.

Goal(s): This study aims to develop a motion-robust three-dimensional MRF (MR-3DMRF) technique for abdominal patients and evaluate the repeatability of tissue property quantification.

Approach: MR-3DMRF incorporates a non-smooth motion modeling method and a dynamic weighting strategy to allow free-breathing MRF acquisition and motion-resolved reconstruction.

Results: Full-width half-maximum of organ boundaries in MR-3DMRF-derived tissue maps is 3.1mm±1.8mm, significantly lower than motion-blurred tissue maps (10.1mm±4.3mm). The linearity of test-retest MRF measurement for T1, T2, and PD was 0.982, 0.894, 0.925, respectively.

Impact: This study, for the first time, investigates the feasibility of free-breathing MRF acquisition and motion-resolved MRF reconstruction on abdominal patients. The MR-3DMRF-derived tissue map are highly repeatable and accurate, potentially contribute to abdominal disease diagnosis and treatment assessment.

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Zhongsen Li¹, Jing Zou¹, Chuyu Liu¹, and Rui Li^1
1Tsinghua University, Beijing, China

Keywords: MR Fingerprinting, MR Fingerprinting, simulation, slice-profile

Motivation: Non-ideal RF slice-profile can affect the accuracy of MRF. However, correcting this effect in dictionary simulation is time-consuming.

Goal(s): To propose an improved simulation algorithm which can correct the RF slice-profile effect in MRF simulation accurately and efficiently.

Approach: We propose an improved MRF simulation method which combines the spinor rotation representation and the extended-phase-graph(EPG) algorithm. The proposed method is validated by retrospective experiments on brain T1 and T2 maps, compared with the EPG algorithm.

Results: The proposed method can correct the non-ideal slice profile effect in MRF dictionary simulation with much faster computational speed.

Impact: We propose an improved simulation algorithm for MRF simulation, which is able to correct non-ideal slice-profile and is as efficient as the EPG algorithm. The proposed method may be helpful for all kinds of MRF imaging applications.

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Gaoyang Zhao¹, Shanshan Zhao¹, Wenzheng Luo², Yanglei Wu³, Feng Chen⁴, Yong Zhang¹, and Jingliang Cheng^1
1Department of MRI, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China, ²Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China, ³MR Research Collaboration, Siemens Healthineers, Beijing, China, ⁴Department of Radiology, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, China

Keywords: MR Fingerprinting, Precision & Accuracy, Medical Implants in MRI

Motivation: The emergence of MR fingerprinting (MRF) technology enables accurate T₁ and T₂ relaxation time quantification. However, the impact of metal implants on quantitative imaging remains unclear, hindering postoperative and clinical MRI scans.

Goal(s): To assess how craniofacial metal implants affect T₁ and T₂ relaxation time quantification using MRF at 3T.

Approach: We conducted experiments on standardized MRI phantoms (ISMRM/NIST) with cranial implants using MRF and traditional T₁/T₂ mapping sequences.

Results: Aneurysm clips had no significant impact on MRF, while cranial plates/screws exhibited mild abnormalities. Galvanized steel strips caused substantial signal anomalies.

Impact: Highlighting the importance of considering the influence of metal implants on quantitative MRI results, impacting the accuracy of diagnoses. This research opens the door to further investigations into the development of metal-insensitive MRI sequences.

Yilin Liu¹, Yong Chen², and Pew-Thian Yap^3
1University of North Carolina at Chapel hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States, ²Case Western University, Chapel Hill, NC, United States, ³University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States

Keywords: MR Fingerprinting, MR Fingerprinting, deep learning

Motivation: Collecting ground truth tissue property maps for training deep learning networks for MR Fingerprinting reconstruction can be challenging.
 

Goal(s): We aim to reduce reliance on training datasets for deep learning based MR Fingerprinting.
 

Approach: We propose a novel zero-shot self-supervised MRF framework that requires only the undersampled k-space measurements. We develop strategies to rapidly retrieve fingerprints from the dictionary for efficient network training.
 

Results: Our method demonstrates promising results on 2x and 4x accelerated MRF without requiring supervised learning based on ground truth tissue property maps, laborious reconstruction, explicit dictionary matching, and network pre-training.
 

Impact: Our preliminary results validated the feasibility of zero-shot self-supervised MRF reconstruction from undersampled MRF data with the help of physics-based constraints.

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Shahrzad Moinian¹, Viktor Vegh^1,2, and David Reutens^1,2
1Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, ²ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

Keywords: MR Fingerprinting, Tissue Characterization

Motivation: In vivo MR image resolution limitations hinder precise characterization of individual gray matter microstructure. Addressing this unmet need can particularly enhance neurosurgery precision and assist neurological disorder monitoring.

Goal(s): We aimed to investigate the feasibility of developing an unsupervised method for individual-specific voxel-wise cortical mapping by extending the MR fingerprinting (MRF) residual analysis framework.

Approach: We employed k-shape clustering to leverage the wealth of cortical area-specific microstructural information in voxel-wise MRF residual timeseries for training an unsupervised model.

Results: High sensitivity (75.7%) and specificity (88.3%) of our method demonstrated the feasibility of unsupervised in vivo microstructural cortical mapping using on MRF residual signals.

Impact: Our unsupervised MR fingerprinting residual-based method offers a transformative approach to individual-specific human cortical mapping, potentially enhancing neurosurgical precision and neurological disorder diagnosis. This lays the foundation for exploring novel questions in microstructural neuroimaging and cerebral cortex developments in individuals.

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Yiang Wang¹, Elaine Y.P. Lee¹, and Peng Cao^1
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

Keywords: MR Fingerprinting, Image Reconstruction

Motivation: Subspace reconstruction has the potential to generate high-resolution images from highly undersampled data at each time point. 

Goal(s): To develop an MRF-based approach to simultaneously measure relaxation time and diffusion coefficient. 

Approach: This sequence was composed of two parts: conventional MRF and DW-SSFP. The central k-space was fully sampled, and the peripheral k-space was under sampled with 24 interleaves, using a dual density spiral trajectory. The subspace reconstruction was applied using the temporal basis obtained from central k-space data.

Results: T1, T2, PD, and ADC can be accurately quantified for both phantom and in-vivo scans. 

Impact: This work indicate that full-resolution DWI can be reconstructed at each time point for a multi-shot multi-dynamic sequence using the subspace reconstruction. Our proposed sequence can be used to estimate relaxation time, proton density and diffusion coefficient simultaneously.