A new medical imaging modality: Quantitative MRI using magnetic resonance fingerprinting

by Mr Guido Buonincontri (Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK)

Wednesday 22 Apr 2015, 15:00 → 16:30 Europe/Rome

131 (INFN edificio C)

Alterations in the intrinsic physical tissue parameters measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), such as longitudinal (T1) and transverse (T2) relaxation times, have been implicated in major neurological conditions. Although these differences have been noted as useful signs in image contrasts, parameter quantification has not been exploited as a marker for disease stage or for monitoring treatment efficacy.

Previous attempts to perform quantitative MRI protocols have suffered from sensitivity to system imperfections as well as infeasible, long acquisition times. Recently, a new approach estimating multiple parameters at once, called MR fingerprinting (MRF), has been proposed. MR fingerprinting is based on the response of tissues to a pseudo-random sequence of radiofrequency pulses and delays. Local responses are compared to a dictionary of simulations calculated from particular parameters (including, but not limited to, T1 and T2). The parameters from the best match are assigned to the coordinates in the image to produce multi-parametric maps.

Novel MRF protocols are currently being tested to achieve an accurate and precise measurement of physical tissue properties within an acceptable scan time for clinical investigation. The new technique of MRF has the potential of turning medical imaging with MRI into a repeatable, quantitative experiment.