Model-based reconstructions for intravoxel incoherent motion and diffusion tensor imaging parameter map estimations

Susanne S. Rauh*, Oliver Maier, Oliver J. Gurney-Champion, Melissa T. Hooijmans, Rudolf Stollberger, Aart J. Nederveen, Gustav J. Strijkers

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) facilitate noninvasive quantification of tissue perfusion and diffusion. Both are promising biomarkers in various diseases and a combined acquisition is therefore desirable. This comes with challenges, including noisy parameter maps and long scan times, especially for the perfusion fraction f and pseudo-diffusion coefficient D*. A model-based reconstruction has the potential to overcome these challenges. As a first step, our goal was to develop a model-based reconstruction framework for IVIM and combined IVIM-DTI parameter estimation. The IVIM and IVIM-DTI models were implemented in the PyQMRI model-based reconstruction framework and validated with simulations and in vivo data. Commonly used voxel-wise nonlinear least-squares fitting was used as the reference. Simulations with the IVIM and IVIM-DTI models were performed with 100 noise realizations to assess accuracy and precision. Diffusion-weighted data were acquired for IVIM reconstruction in the liver (n = 5), as well as for IVIM-DTI in the kidneys (n = 5) and lower-leg muscles (n = 6) of healthy volunteers. The median and interquartile range (IQR) values of the IVIM and IVIM-DTI parameters were compared to assess bias and precision. With model-based reconstruction, the parameter maps exhibited less noise, which was most pronounced in the f and D* maps, both in the simulations and in vivo. The bias values in the simulations were comparable between model-based reconstruction and the reference method. The IQR was lower with model-based reconstruction compared with the reference for all parameters. In conclusion, model-based reconstruction is feasible for IVIM and IVIM-DTI and improves the precision of the parameter estimates, particularly for f and D* maps.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere4927
JournalNMR in Biomedicine
Volume36
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2023

Keywords

  • diffusion
  • DTI
  • IVIM
  • model-based reconstruction
  • quantitative MRI

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Spectroscopy

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