Co-Planar Stereotaxic Atlas of the Human Brain—3-Dimensional Proportional System: An Approach to Cerebral Imaging, J. Talairach, P. Tournoux. Georg Thieme Verlag, New York (1988), 122 pp., 130 figs. DM 268

The sparsity which is implicit in MR images is exploited to significantly undersample k -space. Some MR images such as angiograms are already sparse in the pixel representation; other, more complicated images have a sparse representation in some transform domain–for example, in terms of spatial finite-differences or their wavelet coefficients. According to the recently developed mathematical theory of compressedsensing, images with a sparse representation can be recovered from randomly undersampled k -space data, provided an appropriate nonlinear recovery scheme is used. Intuitively, artifacts due to random undersampling add as noise-like interference. In the sparse transform domain the significant coefficients stand out above the interference. A nonlinear thresholding scheme can recover the sparse coefficients, effectively recovering the image itself. In this article, practical incoherent undersampling schemes are developed and analyzed by means of their aliasing interference. Incoherence is introduced by pseudo-random variable-density undersampling of phase-encodes. The reconstruction is performed by minimizing the 1 norm of a transformed image, subject to data

/pdf/sparse-mri-the-application-of-compressed-sensing-for-rapid-3533njds12.pdf

Sparse MRI: The application of compressed sensing for rapid MR imaging.

The invention relates to a method of parallel imaging for obtaining images by means of magnetic resonance (MR). The method includes the simultaneous measurement of sets of MR singals by an array of receiver coils, and the reconstruction of individual receiver coil images from the sets of MR signals. In order to reduce the acquisition time, the distance between adjacent phase encoding lines in k-space is increased, compared to standard Fourier imaging, by a non-integer factor smaller than the number of receiver coils. This undersampling gives rise to aliasing artifacts in the individual receiver coil images. An unaliased final image with the same field of view as in standard Fourier imaging is formed from a combination of the individual receiver coil images whereby account is taken of the mutually different spatial sensitivities of the receiver coils at the positions of voxels which in the receiver coil images become superimposed by aliasing. This requires the solution of a linear equation by means of the generalised inverse of a sensitivity matrix. The reduction of the number of phase encoding lines by a non-integer factor compared to standard Fourier imaging provides that different numbers of voxels become superimposed (by aliasing) in different regions of the receiver coil images. This effect can be exploited to shift residual aliasing artifacts outside the area of interest.

/pdf/sense-sensitivity-encoding-for-fast-mri-3f84cqy5tp.pdf

SENSE: Sensitivity Encoding for fast MRI

In this study, a novel partially parallel acquisition (PPA) method is presented which can be used to accelerate image acquisition using an RF coil array for spatial encoding. This technique, GeneRalized Autocalibrating Partially Parallel Acquisitions (GRAPPA) is an extension of both the PILS and VD-AUTO-SMASH reconstruction techniques. As in those previous methods, a detailed, highly accurate RF field map is not needed prior to reconstruction in GRAPPA. This information is obtained from several k-space lines which are acquired in addition to the normal image acquisition. As in PILS, the GRAPPA reconstruction algorithm provides unaliased images from each component coil prior to image combination. This results in even higher SNR and better image quality since the steps of image reconstruction and image combination are performed in separate steps. After introducing the GRAPPA technique, primary focus is given to issues related to the practical implementation of GRAPPA, including the reconstruction algorithm as well as analysis of SNR in the resulting images. Finally, in vivo GRAPPA images are shown which demonstrate the utility of the technique.

/pdf/generalized-autocalibrating-partially-parallel-acquisitions-2yoxmjgtdh.pdf

Generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisitions (GRAPPA).

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is currently the mainstay of neuroimaging in cognitive neuroscience. Advances in scanner technology, image acquisition protocols, experimental design, and analysis methods promise to push forward fMRI from mere cartography to the true study of brain organization. However, fundamental questions concerning the interpretation of fMRI data abound, as the conclusions drawn often ignore the actual limitations of the methodology. Here I give an overview of the current state of fMRI, and draw on neuroimaging and physiological data to present the current understanding of the haemodynamic signals and the constraints they impose on neuroimaging data interpretation.

What we can do and what we cannot do with fMRI

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis continues to grow and has resulted in marked changes to clinical operations. In parallel with clinical preparedness, universities have shut down most scientific research activities. Radiology researchers are currently grappling with these challenges that will continue to affect current and future imaging research. The purpose of this article is to describe the collective experiences of a diverse international group of academic radiology research programs in managing their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The acute response at six distinct institutions will be described first, exploring common themes, challenges, priorities, and practices. This will be followed by reflections about the future of radiology research in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/pdf/10.1148/radiol.2020201393

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Radiology Research Enterprise: Radiology Scientific Expert Panel.

Radiofrequency shimming with multiple channel excitation has been proposed to increase the transverse magnetic field uniformity and reduce specific absorption rate at high magnetic field strengths (≥7 T) where high-frequency effects can make traditional single channel volume coils unsuitable for transmission. In the case of deep anatomic regions and power-demanding pulse sequences, optimization of transmit efficiency may be a more critical requirement than homogeneity per se. This work introduces a novel method to maximize transmit efficiency using multiple channel excitation and radiofrequency shimming. Shimming weights are calculated in order to obtain the lowest possible net radiofrequency power deposition into the subject for a given transverse magnetic field strength. The method was demonstrated in imaging studies of articular cartilage of the hip joint at 7 T. We show that the new radiofrequency shimming method can enable reduction in power deposition while maintaining an average flip angle or adiabatic condition in the hip cartilage. Building upon the improved shimming, we further show that the signal-to-noise ratio in hip cartilage at 7 T can be substantially greater than that at 3 T, illustrating the potential benefits of high field hip imaging.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/mrm.24377

Maximum efficiency radiofrequency shimming: Theory and initial application for hip imaging at 7 tesla.

Purpose

We describe a 2 × 6 channel sodium/proton array for knee MRI at 3T. Multielement coil arrays are desirable because of well-known signal-to-noise ratio advantages over volume and single-element coils. However, low tissue–coil coupling that is characteristic of coils operating at low frequency can make the potential gains from a phased array difficult to realize.



Methods

The issue of low tissue–coil coupling in the developed six-channel sodium receive array was addressed by implementing 1) a mechanically flexible former to minimize the coil-to-tissue distance and reduce the overall diameter of the array and 2) a wideband matching scheme that counteracts preamplifier noise degradation caused by coil coupling and a high-quality factor. The sodium array was complemented with a nested proton array to enable standard MRI.



Results

The wideband matching scheme and tight-fitting mechanical design contributed to >30% central signal-to-noise ratio gain on the sodium module over a mononuclear sodium birdcage coil, and the performance of the proton module was sufficient for clinical imaging.



Conclusion

We expect the strategies presented in this study to be generally relevant in high-density receive arrays, particularly in x-nuclei or small animal applications. Magn Reson Med, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

/pdf/a-flexible-nested-sodium-and-proton-coil-array-with-wideband-4pscgatq29.pdf

A flexible nested sodium and proton coil array with wideband matching for knee cartilage MRI at 3T

Spin diffusion on a lattice: Classical simulations and spin coherent states

Navigator-gated and corrected 3D coronary MR angiography (MRA) allows submillimeter image acquisition during free breathing. However, cranial diaphragmatic drift and relative phase shifts of chest-wall motion are limiting factors for image quality and scanning duration. We hypothesized that image acquisition in the prone position would minimize artifacts related to chest-wall motion and suppress diaphragmatic drift. Twelve patients with radiographically-confirmed coronary artery disease and six healthy adult volunteers were studied in both the prone and the supine position during free-breathing navigator-gated and corrected 3D coronary MRA. Image quality and the diaphragmatic positions were objectively compared. In the prone position, there was a 36% improvement in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR; 15.5 ± 2.7 vs. 11.4 ± 2.6; P < 0.01) and a 34% improvement in CNR (12.5 ± 3.3 vs. 9.3 ± 2.5, P < 0.01). The prone position also resulted in a 17% improvement in coronary vessel definition (P < 0.01). Cranial end-expiratory diaphragmatic drift occurred less frequently in the prone position (23% ± 17% vs. 40% ± 26% supine; P <0.05), and navigator efficiency was higher. Prone coronary MRA results in improved SNR and CNR with enhanced coronary vessel definition. Cranial end-expiratory diaphragmatic drift also was reduced, and navigator efficiency was enhanced. When feasible, prone imaging is recommended for free-breathing coronary MRA. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2001;13:185–191. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/1522-2586%28200102%2913%3A2%3C185%3A%3AAID-JMRI1028%3E3.0.CO%3B2-I

Daniel K. Sodickson

Papers

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Radiology Research Enterprise: Radiology Scientific Expert Panel.

Maximum efficiency radiofrequency shimming: Theory and initial application for hip imaging at 7 tesla.

A flexible nested sodium and proton coil array with wideband matching for knee cartilage MRI at 3T

Spin diffusion on a lattice: Classical simulations and spin coherent states

Superiority of prone position in free-breathing 3D coronary MRA in patients with coronary disease.