Review of synthetic MRI in pediatric brains: Basic principle of MR quantification, its features, clinical applications, and limitations

Christina Andica; Akifumi Hagiwara; Masaaki Hori; Koji Kamagata; Saori Koshino; Tomoko Maekawa; Michimasa Suzuki; Hirokazu Fujiwara; Mitsuru Ikeno; Toshiaki Shimizu; Hiroharu Suzuki; Hidenori Sugano; Hajime Arai; Shigeki Aoki

doi:10.1016/j.neurad.2019.02.005

Review of synthetic MRI in pediatric brains: Basic principle of MR quantification, its features, clinical applications, and limitations

J Neuroradiol. 2019 Jul;46(4):268-275. doi: 10.1016/j.neurad.2019.02.005. Epub 2019 Mar 7.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
² Department of Radiology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan; Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan. Electronic address: a-hagiwara@juntendo.ac.jp.
³ Department of Radiology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan; Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan.
⁴ Department of Radiology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35, Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8583, Japan.
⁵ Department of Pediatrics, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
⁶ Department of Neurosurgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.

PMID: 30853545
DOI: 10.1016/j.neurad.2019.02.005

Abstract

Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with multislice, multi-echo, and multi-delay acquisition enables simultaneous quantification of R₁ and R₂ relaxation rates, proton density, and the B₁ field in a single acquisition, and requires only about 6 minutes for full-head coverage. Using dedicated SyMRI software, radiologists can generate any contrast-weighted image by manipulating the acquisition parameters, including repetition time, echo time, and inversion time. Moreover, automatic brain tissue segmentation, volumetry, and myelin measurement can also be performed. Using the SyMRI approach, a shorter scan time, an objective examination, and personalized MR imaging parameters can be obtained in daily clinical pediatric imaging. Here we summarize and review the use of SyMRI in imaging of the pediatric brain, including the basic principles of MR quantification along with its features, clinical applications, and limitations.

Keywords: Automatic Brain tissue volumetry; Brain development; Myelin measurement; Pediatric brain; Quantitative MRI; Synthetic MRI.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Brain / anatomy & histology
Brain / diagnostic imaging*
Brain / pathology
Brain Diseases / diagnostic imaging
Brain Diseases / pathology
Child
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Myelin Sheath / pathology
Signal-To-Noise Ratio
Software