Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging allows us to assess the physiological status of biological systems by quantitatively determining endogenous biomarkers, such
as, magnetic relaxation quantities and proton density. For clinical routine as well as clinical research these quantitative techniques gain more and more importance, for instance, in evaluating degenerative musculoskeletal disorders, like osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
In the presented work selected MR measurement techniques and data analysis methods for specific quantitative imaging applications have been investigated and developed. Based on computer simulations and in vivo experiments, the influence of different main magnetic fields (1.5 T and 3 T) on the optimal parameters TR, TE and flip angle of two gradient- and spinecho-based techniques could be demonstrated. This work also focussed on evaluating the iterative
regularised Gauss-Newton method, a non-linear parallel reconstruction procedure to determine the transverse relaxation time T2. In a further part of this work, within MR osteodensitometry, we investigated the peri- trabecular performance of the resonance signal by means of simplified
models (oblate and prolate ellipsoids). Finally, a completely automated analysis tool of quantitative T2* image series was developed, which aimed at improving the reproducibility and sensitivity towards subtle changes within the trabecular microstructure.
as, magnetic relaxation quantities and proton density. For clinical routine as well as clinical research these quantitative techniques gain more and more importance, for instance, in evaluating degenerative musculoskeletal disorders, like osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
In the presented work selected MR measurement techniques and data analysis methods for specific quantitative imaging applications have been investigated and developed. Based on computer simulations and in vivo experiments, the influence of different main magnetic fields (1.5 T and 3 T) on the optimal parameters TR, TE and flip angle of two gradient- and spinecho-based techniques could be demonstrated. This work also focussed on evaluating the iterative
regularised Gauss-Newton method, a non-linear parallel reconstruction procedure to determine the transverse relaxation time T2. In a further part of this work, within MR osteodensitometry, we investigated the peri- trabecular performance of the resonance signal by means of simplified
models (oblate and prolate ellipsoids). Finally, a completely automated analysis tool of quantitative T2* image series was developed, which aimed at improving the reproducibility and sensitivity towards subtle changes within the trabecular microstructure.
| Translated title of the contribution | Methodological aspects of quantitative magnetic resonance tomography of endogenous biomarker in the area of musculoskeletal imaging |
|---|---|
| Original language | German |
| Qualification | Doctor of Technology |
| Awarding Institution |
|
| Supervisors/Advisors |
|
| Publication status | Published - 9 May 2012 |
Keywords
- Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- musculoskeletal imaging
- contrast optimization
- IRGN method
- ellipsoids
- image processing