Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The use of 7 Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has recently shown great potential for high-resolution soft-tissue neuroimaging and visualization of microvascularization in glioblastoma (GBM). We have designed a clinical trial to explore the value of 7 T MRI in radiation treatment of GBM. For this aim we performed a preparatory study to investigate the technical feasibility of incorporating 7 T MR images into the neurosurgical navigation and radiotherapy treatment planning (RTP) systems via qualitative and quantitative assessment of the image quality.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MR images were acquired with a Siemens Magnetom 7 T whole-body scanner and a Nova Medical 32-channel head coil. The 7 T MRI pulse sequences included magnetization-prepared two rapid acquisition gradient echoes (MP2RAGE), T2-SPACE, SPACE-FLAIR and gradient echo sequences (GRE). A pilot study with three healthy volunteers and an anthropomorphic 3D phantom was used to assess image quality and geometrical image accuracy.
RESULTS: The MRI scans were well tolerated by the volunteers. Susceptibility artefacts were observed in both the cortex and subcortical white matter at close proximity to air-tissue interfaces. Regional loss of signal and contrast could be minimized by the use of dielectric pads. Image transfer and processing did not degrade image quality. The system-related spatial uncertainty of geometrical distortion-corrected MP2RAGE pulse sequences was ≤2 mm.
CONCLUSION: Integration of high-quality and geometrically-reliable 7 T MR images into neurosurgical navigation and RTP software is technically feasible and safe.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 591–603 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics Biology and Medicine |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2016 |
Keywords
- Ultra-high field MRI
- Radiotherapy
- Treatment planning
- Glioblastoma
- Geometrical distortion
- GEOMETRIC DISTORTION
- ULTRAHIGH-FIELD
- TESLA
- CONTRAST
- MICROVASCULARITY
- VISUALIZATION
- NEUROSURGERY
- INVERSION
- STRENGTH
- GLIOMAS