Motivation: This abstract focuses on educating on how high-gradient MRI systems can utilize the multi-echo functional MRI (ME-fMRI) techniques.
 

Goal(s): We explain the blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal technique and how additional echoes can improve the signal fidelity. 

Approach: The ME-fMRI, using three or more echoes allow for the pixelwise T2* decay to be modeled, and as BOLD contrast is a function of T2* evolution over time, an experiment sampling the voxel-wise T2* signal decay can be used to separate BOLD from artifact signal constituents.

Results: Gradient systems with ultra-rapid slew rates (> 400 T/m/s) allow ME-fMRI to reduce artefacts from flow, motion, and susceptibility effects.

Impact: MRI systems with ultra-high gradient systems can reduce artefacts from flow, motion, and susceptibility effects in the BOLD contrast technique using an ME-fMRI technique with three or more echoes to improve fidelity of fMRI. 

Motivation: The ever-evolving complexities of implants, clothing and technology in MRI, combined with the increased recent reported safety incidents around the world, motivated us to reinvent our safety program. 

Goal(s): Our goal was to create and institute a robust, multifaceted safety program that provides awareness into how each of us contributes to a safe environment in the MRI suite.

Approach: We assessed needs through surveys and observation. Support and education are  provided via weekly emails, site visits, quarterly meetings, and clearly written policies.

Results: Greater technologist engagement through increased incident documentation, adoption of a safer workflow, and greater participation at safety meetings.

Impact: Got Safety??
We've created a path for achieving a successful culture of safety in the MRI suite for staff and patients utilizing a broad, collaborative and comprehensive process, which brings together the key elements of safety with increased staff commitment.

Keywords:

Motivation: MRI scans in young pediatric patients are challenging due to motion sensitivity and anxiety triggers yet its high contrast resolution and radiation-free make it pivotal especially in directing an appropriate treatment plan.

Goal(s): Identify key factors for successful sedation-free supplementary MRI scans in children, focusing on a child-friendly environment, trust-building, communication, tailored techniques, and parental support.

Approach: The MR team of the Hong Kong Children's Hospital implemented strategies like child-friendly rooms, audio-visual systems, child-life specialists, optimized protocols, shorter scan times, and parental accompany.

Results: Achieved high success rates with improved patient experience, shorter procedures, and better MRI facility utilization.

Impact: With the increasing demand for MRI, the efficient use of MR suits has become a global issue. Introducing non-sedating MR scanning skills for young pediatrics could save both preparation and table time and therefore boost the scanning efficiency. 

Keywords:

Motivation: A worldwide increase of MRI staff shortage and at the same time an increasing number of MRI requests. 

Goal(s): Deployment of remote assist performed by properly trained MRI staff in a single site MRI department.

Approach: After a test period, remote assist was evaluated based on a survey conducted among the MRI staff members.

Results: Due to slow technical performance of the remote assist hardware and software and a normal patient schedule during the test period, the first experience was disappointing. A new test period will be planned where patient scheduling and technical performance will be tested and evaluated again.

Impact: Technical performance of the remote assist hardware and software (direct respond required) and patient scheduling need further improvement.

Keywords:

Motivation: Performing dynamic contrast-enhanced MR lymphangiogram (DCMRL) in children require general anesthesia. In a non-hybrid environment, the nodal puncture for DCMRL is often performed in the angiography suite. Transporting a pediatric patient under general anesthesia with needles to an MRI environment presents unique challenges.

Goal(s): Develop a safe and effective workflow for DCMRL in non-hybrid setting.

Approach: Meticulous planning and collaborations between radiology and anesthesiology teams ensure safe execution of DCMRL.  Using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) also improve the logistic of intranodal DCMRL by minimizing patient transfer.

Results: Careful coordination between Radiology and Anesthetic team results in successful and safe intranodal and intrahepatic DCMRL. .

Impact: The ability to perform DCMRL in non-hybrid environment has significant implications for accurate diagnosis of lymphatic diseases, enabling improved treatment planning and better patient outcomes.

Motivation: To evaluate the role that MR Spectroscopy and MR Perfusion play in characterizing breast masses on MR Mammograms with HPE correlation.

Goal(s):

• To compare the findings of the Histopathological Evaluation (HPE) with the radiological diagnosis.

• To evaluate the role that MR Spectroscopy and MR Perfusion play in the identification of breast masses.

Approach: 160 patients were included in prospective research design for eight months.
Patients with k/c/o carcinoma, sono-mammography, post-operative evaluation, and screening mammography were included.

Results: MRI diagnosis and histopathological results correlated in 86.1% patients. Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MR perfusion kinetics have been highly sensitive in distinguishing benign and malignant lesions. 
 

Impact: MR mammography has been demonstrated that MR Perfusion is extremely sensitive in identifying benign from malignant breast lesions. In order to provide sufficient information to differentiate between breast tumors, MR Spectroscopy has proven useful adjunct to MR Perfusion.

Motivation: Artefacts are features that appear in an image  not present in the original object.The study was informed by the various artefacts encountered during scanning.

Goal(s):  Different artefacts occured during scanning  affecting the diagnostic quality ,classified as patient related, signal processing and hardware related.
 

Approach: Information was collected on patients undergoing scanning on 3T Philip ingenia machine recording all artefacts. The consent form was used as a measure of accuracy of  patient information.

Results: Artefacts noted were motion artefacts, metallic and orthopaedic. Various methods were applied of elimination including field of view,  spin echo sequences, short echo time and use of oversampling techniques.

Impact: knowledge  of different types of artefacts and their origin was necessary to eliminate them to reduce their negative influence on MR images by adjusting acquisition parameters. 

Motivation: The fatal accidents in the MRI room are caused by the bringing of ferromagnetic objects. It is necessary to identify the trends in incidents.

Goal(s): Our goal was to investigate the relationship between the frequency of bringing ferromagnetic objects and years of MRI experience.

Approach: We compiled incident reports for the past 10 years, extracted reports related to the bringing of ferromagnetic objects.

Results: There were 26 reports of ferromagnetic objects brought introduced, and half of the reports were from technologists with less than one year of MRI experience.

Impact: In order to prevent the adsorption accidents of the ferromagnetic objects, it is important to understand the causes of such incidents and the characteristics of our own facilities. Sharing this survey will lead to the prevention of similar incidents.

Keywords:

Motivation: Minimize scanning time while ensuring the quality of MRH images.

Goal(s): This study investigated the feasibility of using compressed perception acceleration sequences to evaluate the quality of MRH images.

Approach: We compared data from traditional sequences and CS sequences with different acceleration factors.

Results: The results showed that CS4 can guarantee diagnostic requirement with 44%time reduction. Conventional images were more commonly used than CS SPACE images for radiologists. However, CS4 SPACE images still get more than 3-point. This suggests that CS4 SPACE images is still considered acceptable.

Impact: This preliminary study showed that for the MRH of inner ear, T2 SPACE sequence with 4-fold CS technique provided similar image quality to conventional T2 SPACE with 44% shorter scan time. Therefore, we can save a lot of examination time.

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Motivation: Even though PET-MR has been around for more than a decade, it is not highly available in all imaging centers due to high cost and complexity. Thus, seeking experience in setting up PET-MR protocols is challenging and can be quite daunting for first-timers and scans involving new tracers. 

Goal(s): To create an informative checklist which can ease planning a PET-MR protocol based on clinical experience and from literature review. This aim to overcome pitfalls and include considerations in setting up PET-MR protocols.

Approach: Systematic planning of PET-MR protocol.

Results: PET-MR radiographers and researchers will be able to plan their protocols efficiently and effectively.

Impact: This informative checklist can assist planning a PET-MR protocol on scanner from scratch. Using this guide, the PET-MR radiographers and researchers will become more confident and efficient in planning the PET-MR scanning protocols. This can also boost data-sharing among others.

Keywords:

Motivation: Coronary artery examination in elderly patients with low renal function and poor respiratory coordination has always been a clinical pain point.

Goal(s): Explore the feasibility of balanced steady-state free precession BTFE sequence for non-drug coronary imaging and find the optimal compressed sensing coefficient under this sequence

Approach: Acquire cs4, 6, and 8 images under BTFE sequence, record acquisition time and analyze objective indicators and subjective scores

Results: CS6 can achieve relatively high imaging quality in a short time

Impact: Our study may inform efforts to more rapidly perform non-contrast enhanced coronary MRI angiography in elderly patients.

Motivation: To present our experience with native T1 mapping in Post-COVID Vaccine-related myocarditis.

Goal(s): To evaluate paediatric native T1 mapping values in Post-COVID Vaccine-related myocarditis

Approach: Data was collated over August 2021 - August 2023 in 15 patients (13 boys and 2 girls), aged 9 to 16 years old. Patients were scanned in a 3 Tesla MRI scanner. 

Results: Majority of T1 values ranged 1201-1250ms. 17 segments had T1 values above 1250ms which correlated with LGE, (mostly in the basal region), ranging 1256ms – 1606ms. Thus, we perceived the normal range of T1 values to be 1100ms-1250ms and those above as increased T1 values. 

Impact: Our study evaluated the characteristics of post-COVID vaccine-related myocarditis, a relatively new disease, in children aged 9 to 16 years-old using native T1 Mapping at 3T MRI, filling up the current gap in data in paediatric myocardial native T1 values

Motivation: The quality of cardiac film sequences in patients with arrhythmia is poor, which affects the clinical diagnosis.

Goal(s): To observe the value of single-shot compressed sensing cine imaging  inevaluating cardiac structure and function in arrhythmia patients

Approach: MRI;ICC;Kappa

Results: n arrhythmia group, there was statistical difference of myocardial thickness in 12 myocardial segments between the 2 sequences,as well as peak and average values of myocardial radial and circumferential strain.

Impact: For arrhythmia patients, single-shot compressed sensing cine imaging cine sequence could improve image quality of cardiac MRI.

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Motivation: TSE sequences are crucial for rectum MRI, but have limitations. DL-TSE is expected to improve image quality and reduce acquisition time for rectum MRI.

Goal(s): To assess the viability of employing TSE sequences with deep learning reconstruction for rectal MRI when compared to conventional TSE sequences.

Approach: This study included 16 patients with colorectal cancer confirmed by pathology. SNR and CNR were analyzed by SPSS 22.0 software.A P-value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
 

Results: The results show that the application of deep learning can shorten the scanning time while maintaining high image resolution, and improve the diagnostic efficiency of rectal diseases.

Impact: Deep learning reconstruction of TSE sequence in rectal MRI has the advantages of shortening acquisition time, improving image quality, and improving diagnostic efficiency. DL-TSE may also be extended to MRI examinations of other organs, such as the prostate and pelvis.

Motivation: Two big problems encountered in hybrid MR PET exams are: long duration of the exams and the optimization of the administered activity.

Goal(s): I tried to evaluate the feasibility of decreasing the time and dose using an artificial intelligence tool in reconstruction while preserving the performance of PET and MR.

Approach: By analyzing the literature, it was possible to identify the optimal reconstruction strategies for PET and MR imaging that utilize artificial intelligence to save dose and time.

Results: Deep learning techniques have made significant advances in data reconstruction images from examinations with low scan times or radiopharmaceutical dose

Impact: Artificial intelligence in MR PET is a promising approach. The impact on the health of patients is undeniable, especially in the paediatric population. This approach reduces the dose and consequently the cost of radiopharmaceuticals and increases productivity and efficiency.  

Keywords:

Motivation:
  Adolescents have high sensitivity to X-ray, and MRI has the advantage of non-radiation, which has not been perfected in the assessment of adolescent bone age.
 
 
 

Goal(s):  To analyze the predictive value of MRI ossification development of knee joint with gender and age. 

Approach: The indexes representing epiphyseal development of distal femur and proximal tibia were selected for measurement, and the differences of epiphyseal development of distal femur and proximal tibia between different gender and different age groups were explored. 
 

Results: Males performed better on the distal femur and females on the proximal tibia for age prediction, which could be evaluated separately if necessary.

Impact: The objective indicators of ossification development in MRI of knee joint have certain predictive value with gender and age, which helps to evaluate bone age objectively and accurately, and provides a new idea for epiphysis evaluation 

Motivation: PET/MRI integrate functional and anatomical information, elevating diagnostic precision. However, a key challenge lies in ensuring the reliability of attenuation (µ) map generation.

Goal(s): This research assesses the accuracy of PET/MR-based µ-map from 3D-Dixon and 3D-Dixon Hires T1W in comparison to a standard µ-map from PET/CT at the voxel level.

Approach: the µ-map data from 15 patients who underwent both PET/CT and PET/MRI of the pelvic region were analyzed to quantify the disparities in the generated µ-maps.

Results: We found that 3D-Dixon Hires outperforms the 3D-Dixon in the creation of µ-maps, rendering it a superior choice for precise attenuation correction.

Impact: Spatial resolution influences the accuracy of attenuation correction in PET/MRI, particularly when employing quantitative methods for diagnosis. Notably, the utilization of higher-resolution Dixon MRI images enhances the reliability of attenuation in tissue compartmental models for the generation of this map.

Keywords:

Motivation: We tested the acceleration method in a clinical setting demanding high-resolution and high-quality structural images.

Goal(s): Deep -brain stimulation requires high-resolution 3D MRI sequences. The Wave CAIPIRINHA (Wave-CAIPI) may be expected to significantly reduce acquisition time while changing tissue contrast.

Approach: We collected scanning data from 5 healthy volunteers, including conventional MP2RAGE and Wave CAIPI research applications (with acceleration factors of 2x2, 2x3, and 3x3, respectively).

Results: Compared with MP2RAGE, the Wave-CAIPI (2Xx2) and Wave-CAIPI (2xX3) sequences provide good tissue contrast while shortening acquisition time.

Impact: This new sequence is helpful to the localization of brain structures for pre-surgical planning.

Keywords:

Motivation: Torso enhanced CT is the standard method for colon cancer staging. MRI is a complimentary method. Our purpose is to develop a MR Colon cancer scanning method with simple process and short scan time.

Goal(s): develop a new T2WI  breath-hold scanning technique that eliminates the need for bowel preparation and reduces scan time

Approach: compared the image quality between trans-axial T2WI and axial T2WI in visualization of anatomical structure

Results: Patient examination time for our colon MRI is less than 10min, compared with conventional MRI, our approach offered a simplified and expedited means of visualizing lesion details with superior clarity.

Impact: Our research focused on MRI scan optimization. Without bowel preparation, using breath-hold, our creative trans-axial imaging plan becomes highly manageable and enables efficient repetition of the entire process.

Motivation: In this study, the motivation was to improve fat signal suppression in Diffusion-weighted Whole Body Imaging with Background Body Signal Suppression (DWIBS).

Goal(s): The specific goals were to evaluate the fat suppression effect of the Principle of Selective Excitation Technique (PROSET) in combination with STIR DWI (PROSET-STIR DWI) compared to conventional methods.

Approach: The approach involved scanning healthy volunteers using PROSET-STIR DWI, STIR DWI and SPAIR DWI.

Results:  The results revealed that PROSET-STIR DWI achieved superior fat suppression for Methylene signals compared to conventional methods. Overall, PROSET-STIR DWI demonstrated enhanced fat suppression, highlighting its potential in clinical applications.

Impact: The PROSET-STIR DWI technique demonstrates superior fat suppression compared to conventional methods, with notable differences in Methylene fat signals. This advance can benefit medical imaging, potentially improving cancer detection and diagnostic accuracy.

Motivation: Clinical and research patients can be imaged safely at 7T while providing improved quality and resolution enabling better detection of lesions while maintaining a safe working environment for our patients and technologists.

Goal(s): The goal is to guide new operator of MRI 7T on how to prepare themselves and patient for advance imaging exam.

Approach: Informative approaches for equipment, safety, side effects of 7T MRI for patients and technologist.

Results: Operating a 7T MRI is similar to other field strengths, but technologist should be well trained and understand the environment in UHF scanners.

Impact: 7T MRI is an advance imaging technology that is very beneficial for patient care.  This guidelines will provides MRI technologist some insight on the equipment, safety, and how to prepare the patient for 7T MRI studies.

Motivation: To improve the safety of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Patients with Implantable Medical Devices in Japan.

Goal(s): To Investigate of Conducting for Patients with Implantable Devices and Items included in the Metal Safety Checklist.

Approach: A questionnaire survey was conducted at medical facilities that perform MRI examinations of patients with implantable devices.

Results: Conducting MRI for Patients with Implantable Medical Devices and Items in the Metal Safety Checklist revealed variations.

Impact: This study advances the discussion of Conducting for Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Patients with Implantable Medical Devices and the need to create a template for the Metal Safety Checklist in Japan.

Motivation: MRI is the best imaging modality due to its excellent resolution and contrast differentiation of soft tissue. However, MRI is scarce and lengthy, yielding low patient throughput and delays in the diagnosis and management of health conditions. It is crucial to have an appropriate imaging protocol to minimize delays in the management of any health conditions for improved health outcomes and quality of life.

Goal(s): To advocate for early diagnosis and management of health conditions for improved quality of life in developing countries.

Approach: Case study

Results: MRI showed a thin encapsulated lesions with a lobular pattern, which were in line with lipoma.

Impact: Appropriate MRI protocols will minimize unnecessary sequences and improve patient throughput and early diagnosis for improved health outcomes in developing countries.

Motivation: The Significance of fMRI in Surgical Planning for Tumour Resection and Epilepsy Surgery: Optimal Language Paradigms for Language Area Mapping

Goal(s): This paper explores the importance of fMRI in surgical planning and the most effective language paradigms for language area mapping.

Approach: fMRI allows neurosurgeons to pinpoint critical brain regions responsible for language, motor function, and sensory perception. This information is pivotal in minimizing postoperative neurological deficits

Results: For epilepsy surgery, it aids in delineating the epileptogenic zone as data clearly shows increase in seizure freedom with detailed imaging identifying the true extent of the lesion.

Impact: Resource for radiographers on how to perform a fMRI examination, sequence parameters and corresponding language paradigms.

Keywords:

Motivation: Upgrading of MR scanner with compressed sensing (CS) could reduce acquisition time. Image quality of 3DMRCP with CS, however, need to be assessed quantitatively to ensure its standard despite of acceleration. 

Goal(s): We aimed to prove that 3DMRCP with CS can be employed in clinical practice with comparable quantitative image quality to SENSE and with shorter acquisition time. 

Approach: Quantitative image quality (signal intensity, noise, SNR and CNR) of 3DMRCP with CS and SENSE of the same subject that acquired at two different timepoints were compared retrospectively. 

Results: 3DMRCP with CS have maintained the quantitative image quality and has a shorter scan duration. 

Impact: 3DMRCP with CS only not can achieve higher spatial resolution but also with a shorter acquisition time while maintaining its quantitative image quality. Therefore, 3DMRCP with CS is recommended to be adopted in daily clinical practice.

Keywords:

Motivation: Help MRI operators and other professionals who plan to acquire ex-vivo brain MRI

Goal(s): What are the challenges in setting up an ex-vivo brain MRI protocol?

Approach: This abstract shows the challenges faced during the establishment of an ex-vivo brain MRI protocol in a 3-tesla scanner.

Results: We organized 2 categories of challenges our team faced: Dealing with motion and with contrast. We have detailed and illustrated each challenge and provided the learning points we thought were important.

Impact: Scanning of ex-vivo specimens poses challenges. The literature doesn't present the problems faced in preparation phase. We provide realistic view of these challenges from the perspective of MRI scientists, to help other teams approach this problem with the proper orientation.

Keywords:

Motivation: Prior knee osteoarthritis studies favor high-field (3.0T) over mid-field (0.55T) MRI. Motivation is explore sustainable, economical, low-footprint 0.55T alternative.
 

Goal(s): To address the research gap, this study aims to compare cartilage thickness measurements in healthy controls between 0.55T and 3.0T MRI scanners, shedding light on the viability of mid-field imaging for assessing this vital biomarker.

Approach: Employing a cross-sectional design, this research utilizes both 0.55T and 3.0T scanners to gather comparative data on cartilage thickness in healthy subjects.

Results: Anticipated findings will contribute insights into the potential of mid-field MRI for accurate cartilage assessment, informing future imaging practices in knee osteoarthritis research.
 

Impact: This project's focus on mid-field MRI scanners may revolutionize knee osteoarthritis research, providing a cost-effective alternative, broadening accessibility, and potentially improving early diagnosis and treatment outcomes for patients.  

Motivation: Since the septal function is critical to the global LV function and prognosis, we suggest further refining global and segmental septal viability analysis.

Goal(s): This study aimed to characterize myocardial strain alterations by CMR-feature tracking for patients with anterior STEMI.

Approach: The size of the infarction and the extent of injury, to investigate if any changes in septal function would affect the balance of strain.

Results: The infarcted septum swings in a bimodal mode, and myocardial injury reduces the radial strain contractility. A more than 75% transmural degree was the septal strain-contraction reserve cut-off point.

Impact: The combination of CMR-LGE and strain puts forward an efficient risk stratification. This technique can help clinicians make accurate decisions, especially for patients with LBBB, avoiding the LV lead placed in the infarcted zone. 

Keywords:

Motivation: Knowledge that a suboptimal acquisition protocol was being implemented in a large and expensive animal research study.

Goal(s): Demonstration of improved image quality in a porcine study investigating remuscularisation effects of stem cell treatment in diseased and injured hearts.

Approach: Implementation of a FB protocol in tandem with a BH protocol in a subset of porcine subjects (n=38) who had undergone percutaneous induction of myocardial infarction.

Results: Superior image quality and greater reproducibility of BH techniques with shorter scan times results in the need for remarkably smaller sample sizes to show clinically significant treatment effects.
 

Impact: MRI radiographers are an untapped resource in many sites performing research. This study demonstrated the impact of radiographer expertise in protocol development and subsequent improvement in research data quality and outcomes in a large and expensive animal study.

Motivation: Real-time imaging protocol based on hyperpolarized 13C pyruvate to probe metabolic changes in patients undergoing standard-of-care chemotherapy for breast cancer, with cardiotoxic potential.

Goal(s): An imaging protocol that results in high-quality reproducible B0 heart shimming. To implement an echo-shifted mDIXON acquisition with spatial-spectral excitation to detect pyruvate and its major byproducts. A processing pipeline for reconstruction of metabolic images.

Approach: Single-shot EPI acquisitions with shifted echo times (n=6) were acquired following a SpSp excitation, as to generate signal for mDIXON / IDEAL reconstructed images of these metabolites.

Results: We have established a real-time 13C-hyperpolarization and imaging protocol and reconstruction pipeline

Impact: Noninvasive real-time metabolic imaging using hyperpolarized 13C may aid clinical evaluation of possible cardiac toxicity for breast cancer patients

Motivation: We propose a motion aware DNN model for cardiac sequence segmentation.

Goal(s): We construct an in-house dataset which has three advantages: segmentation annotations covering the cardiac cycle; comprehensive annotations, including the annotations of interventricular groove structure; fine annotations of endocardium.

Approach: We propose an edge focus loss to make the segmented boundaries be consistent with the local gradient of the input images and propose a quality control method based on Image Moments to filter abnormal predictions.

Results: The experimental results highlight the accuracy of the proposed model, and the fine segmentation results could be used to estimate accurate clinical indicators for clinical diagnosis.

Impact: In experiments, we compare the proposed model with 12 state-of-the-art segmentation models, and our model have obtained the highest accuracy for the segmentation and the highest PCC on the 17-segment model.

Motivation: Immunotherapy for glioma has demonstrated promising potential in preclinical studies. However, the dynamic assessment of its effectiveness in the brain presents a significant challenge.

Goal(s): To continuously monitor the effectiveness of PD-1 inhibitors when combined with bioengineered Escherichia coli in the treatment of GBM in mouse model, utilizing high-field animal MRI technology. 

Approach: Throughout the treatment of glioma-bearing mouse with E. coli and/or PD-1 inhibitors, we employed multimodal MRI and immunofluorescence techniques to routinely observe changes within the tumor microenvironment.

Results: The high-field MRI technology utilized for monitoring the tumor microenvironment revealed positive outcomes for the combination therapy, consistent with our laboratory findings.

Impact: Our research suggests that the fusion of bioengineered Escherichia coli and PD-1 inhibitors may herald a groundbreaking development in GBM immunotherapy, with high-field MRI technology serving as a potent tool for the real-time evaluation of this combination therapy's efficacy.

Motivation: Despite the growing interest in fast reading, which is a cutting-edge research area, researchers have not yet explored its potential in a lesser-known language. 

Goal(s): Our goal was to explore the neural activation during the fast reading of ‘Sinhala’ letters. 

Approach: Healthy Sinhalese participants were subjected to functional MRI (3T) along with a fast-reading training session to analyze pre- and post-fast-reading neural impacts. 

Results: Correlation analysis showed a significant increase in the activity of the right middle frontal gyrus in rapid reading than in ordinary reading (P_FEW-corr(p<0.05)).

Impact: The increment of brain activation noticed in the fast-reading trained group suggests the significance of evaluating neural correlates unique to a language. This finding may aid in the development of effective fast-learning methods and improve approaches to second-language learning.

Motivation: Liver tumors could be classified with the help of machine learning or other methods based solely on changes in Gd-EOB-DTPA uptake over time.

Goal(s): To evaluate the possibility of classifying liver tumor types using changes in liver and tumor contrast (Q-LTC) over time.

Approach: Liver tumors (HCC, metastasis, and hemangiomas) were classified. The rate of change in Q-LTC were calculated using images obtained at 3, 10, and 15 min after Gd-EOB-DTPA administration.

Results: The rate of change in Q-LTC over time tended to be higher in HCC, metastasis, and hemangioma, in that order; therefore, its potential use in liver tumor classification.

Impact: To reduce the burden on patients caused by extended examination time, we performed liver tumors classification using simple liver and tumor contrast based on the liver function, during routine clinical studies without requiring additional specialized imaging.

Motivation: The accurate diagnosis of intestinal fibrosis is very important for CD management.

Goal(s): The characterization of intestinal fibrosis by using non-invasive imaging techniques on intestinal lesions with various fibrosis and  inflammation, to explore the optimal clinical applications for commonly used imaging  techniques in clinical practice for fibrotic diagnosis, providing valuable insights for clinical decision-making.

Approach: PET/CT and MTI were performed on animal and patient to investigate their efficiency on analyzation of intestinal fibrosis.

Results: The diagnostic effect of ¹⁸F-FAPI PET/CT in detecting CD fibrosis surpasses that of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT, while comparable to MTI, and offers great potential in early detection of intestinal fibrosis.

Impact: MTI is the most accurate technique for detecting intestinal fibrosis. 18F-FAPI PET/CT represents an optimal imaging technique currently, in terms of early fibrosis detection. However, its interpretation with fibrosis still requires caution due to the slight susceptibility to co-existing inflammation.

Keywords:

Motivation: Artifacts are common in MR and reduce the image quality, and led to a degradation of the radiographer's work. We developed a retrospective method,  Orthogonal Phase Encoding Reduction Artifacts (OPERA) which works on DICOM images.

Goal(s): To test the value assessment of OPERA on several anatomic regions  in a Clinical Study on a Public General Hospital.

Approach:  A total of 604 MR exams were acquired on 585 patients by using an  1.5T scanner. 
The OPERA-images were compared with standard images per Artifacts, Signal-Noise-Ratio, and scan-time by two radiologists.

Results:  OPERA algorithm reduced the repeated sequences of 5.9% and the additional sequences of 2.17%. 

Impact: Opera requires no hardware modifications. OPERA is a post-processed software and works on DICOM, so it is applicable on any type of MRI scanner.
OPERA reduce Motion Artifact, and consequently could reduce the number of repeated sequences on uncooperative patient.

Motivation: Acquiring new knowledge about the clinical significance of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) is important.

Goal(s): This study aimed to investigate the relationship between WMH volume and cognitive impairment.

Approach: Patients information (sex, age, education level), neuropsychological examinations (Mini-Mental State Examination and the Japanese version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment), and FLAIR images were retrospectively examined as clinical data. WMH volume was analyzed from FLAIR images with fully automated analysis software. The relationship between WMH volume and clinical data was investigated.

Results: WMH volume significantly differed according to education level, and that WMH volume was associated with neuropsychological examinations.

Impact: The white matter hyperintensity volume obtained from fluid-attenuated inversion recovery images using a fully automated white matter signal analysis software could provide important clinical information about cognitive impairment in patients.

Motivation: Microscopy coil has high spatial resolution and SNR, but it has a limited effective Signal Intensity(SI) range. 

Goal(s): This study suggests a method to improve SI & effective SI range by various combinations of Microscopy Coil. 

Approach: We made a MRI Marker Phantom and analyzed SI using Microscopy Coil with 1channel (23mm, 47mm), 2channel (23+47mm, 23+23mm, 47+47mm). We measured effective SI range and SI. 

Results: In the results, SI of 2channel was higher than that of 1channel in all 12 ROI. Furthermore, change of changing of sense factor showed no significant change. Effective SI range was 47+47mm, 23+47mm, 47mm, 23+23mm, 23mm coil respectively.

Impact: Various combinations of Microscopy 2channel Coil had advantage of increasing Signal Intensity(SI) and effective SI range compared to 1channel. Also use of sense factor in 2channel can reduce scan duration without SI change for patients who have difficulty in cooperating.

Keywords:

Motivation: To quantify the impact of Deep Resolve Sharp and Gain (DRSG) Artificial Intelligence (AI) software on patient throughput and image quality of knee MRI exams at 3.0 Tesla.

Goal(s): To study the clinical the impact of DRSG on image quality and examination time. 

Approach: Thirty patients underwent examinations without or with DRSG enabled. An attending musculoskeletal radiologist blindly reviewed exams and the quality of structures was assessed in routine diagnostic planes. Exam times were recorded.

Results: Knee structures showed no statistical difference in image quality. Meanwhile, a statistically significant reduction in mean exam time was observed with DRSG-enabled protocols of 24% (p<0.001).

Impact: Siemens Healthineers Deep Resolve Sharp & Gain is a clinically useful tool to significantly reduce MR knee exams times without compromising image quality at 3.0 Tesla.  

Keywords:

Motivation: Understanding variances in MRI services between different countries serves as a foundation for enhancing global MRI services, fostering the attainment of equitable and high-quality healthcare services globally.

Goal(s): What are differences in MRI services among Huế, Adelaide, and Houston, and what are the implications for global MRI service enhancement?

Approach: Data on various dimensions of MRI services was collected to investigate differences and similarities in technological infrastructure, image acquisition, service delivery, cost structures, professional expertise, and prevalent policies surrounding MRI services.

Results: The investigation revealed substantial discrepancies between cities; however, there are similarities in service delivery and training processes.

Impact: The study lays as a groundwork for the enhancement of global MRI services by identifying MRI service disparities among different regions, with the ultimate goal of fostering equitable and high-quality healthcare services globally.

Keywords:

Motivation: Deep Learning based reconstruction methods, specifically Unrolled Variational Networks (UVN), have been proposed to enhance MRI image quality at high reduction factors. However, physical image characteristics have not been fully evaluated.

Goal(s): This study evaluated the noise, contrast characteristics, and sharpness in images reconstructed using UVN.

Approach: Various phantoms were utilized for evaluation, assessing SNR, Noise Power Spectrum, Contrast Ratio, and Point Spread Function.

Results: With an increase in the reduction factor, the SNR improved, but both low-frequency and high-frequency noise increased. Despite a slight decrease in the contrast ratio with the increase in reduction factor, DL application notably enhanced image sharpness.

Impact: Our study investigates the application of Unrolled Variational Networks in MRI systems. The potential improvement in image quality could lead to more accurate diagnoses, changing the way clinicians approach MRI imaging and prompting further research in medical imaging.

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Motivation: Failure to change MRI patients into facility-supplied attire has led to burns and projectile injuries, and MRI technologists are responsible for ensuring appropriate patient preparation.

Goal(s): To investigate the current practice of changing patients into gowns by New Zealand (NZ) MRI technologists and examine factors that influence decision-making.

Approach: An online questionnaire was distributed to MRI technologists and trainees currently working in NZ.

Results: Most technologists change all or most patients, but emerging practices of removing patient underwear and changing patient companions are less well-adhered to. Workplace policies are recommended as they influence technologists’ practice, and management support is needed to implement these.

Impact: Failure to change MRI patients into facility-supplied attire has led to numerous avoidable injuries, yet a survey of MRI technologists in New Zealand has revealed that clinical practice varies. Workplace policies influence practice and are recommended to maximise patient safety.

Motivation: Localization of Cannabinoid type I receptor (CB1)  across the whole brain with high temporal and spatial resolution would help a fundamental understanding of this receptor.

Goal(s): We sought to develop an in vivo MRI probe suitable for the cannabinoid system.

Approach: By chemically conjugating Rimonabantacid to the gadolinium chelate, we sought to create a novel paramagnetic probe TC1648·Gd. Introduction of this drug into mouse brains furthermore permits MRI-based measurement.

Results: Comparing the PET results with the TC1648^.Gd, the high expression of CB1 in the hippocampus and the poor expression in the hypothalamus are highly consistent. TC1648^.Gd  enable imaging-based assessment of distribution of CB1.

Impact: The reagent is straightforward to produce and apply, and could immediately be used in a range of preclinical biomedical contexts. In future work, the idea of conjugating paramagnetic moieties to neuromodulatory agents could be extended to create additional MRI-detectable probes. 

Motivation: To explore the feasibility of multi-echo susceptibility weighted imaging at 0.5T as lower field strength MRI scanners are cost effective.

Goal(s): Assess the effectiveness of swi at lower field strength as it is one of the important sequences in Brain MRI

Approach: This study involves acquisition of 3D multi-echo gradient echo sequence to generate SWI with combination of protocol optimization specifically for 0.5T and Denoising both real and imaginary images using deep learning algorithm to boost SNR

Results: Findings shows SWI at 0.5T can provide information about susceptibility variations in brain and helps improve diagnosis.

Impact: SWI at 0.5T using deep learning-based reconstruction will increase the quality of image by improving SNR, reducing artefacts imparted by the noise in phase.

Motivation: Due to the geographical landscape, lack of developmental infrastructure, poor healthcare system, and expensive health costs, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is not accessible in all parts of Nepal.

Goal(s): Our goal was to evaluate the accessibility of MRI services in Nepal

Approach: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect the data from different clinical settings. 

Results: We demonstrated the non-uniform distribution of MRI systems across the country.

Impact: The results of this study could be used by authorized healthcare legal bodies to improve uniform MRI accessibility across the country.

Motivation: This study seeks to overcome the challenges associated with characterizing vocal tract articulation during speech.

Goal(s): The primary objective of this study is to outline the technical configuration required to optimize real-time MRI with high temporal resolution while synchronizing it with audio recordings.

Approach: We employed a single slice FLASH sequence, an MRI-compatible optical microphone, and a signal generator. This setup enables precise synchronization of MRI image acquisition with audio recordings during speech production.

Results: Our findings showcase the practicality of our setup in studying Arabic speech articulation, both in letter pronunciation and the articulation of whole words, encompassing various dialects.

Impact: This research highlights the technical intricacies involved in integrating real-time MRI of the vocal tract with synchronised speech production, introducing an innovative application previously unexplored in linguistic research to address challenging linguistic problems. 
 
 

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Motivation: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is  a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS). MS diagnosis needs the objective assessment of white matter (WM) lesions as they disseminate both in space and time.

Goal(s): More refined MRI sequences have vastly improved the characterisation of brain volume and focal white matter lesions.

Approach: In this study, MRI scans were obtained of 25 adult females diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS and 25 control subjects without MS.

Results: Data collected shows a clear distinction between the lesion volumes from the two groups and enhances the validity of MRI and its potential clinical applicability.

Impact: The high costs and chance of allergic reactions to GBCAs may impose limitations within the patient’s treatment plan. Our study reaffirms the value of MRI without the use of GBCAs and demonstrates its potential for long-term monitoring of MS.

Motivation: In some cases, the quality of T₂-weighted images is poor independent of the position of the uterus in the pelvis.

Goal(s): Our goal was to investigate the relationship between uterine displacement and quality of T₂-weighted images.

Approach: T₂-weighted images of the female pelvis were classified according to image quality. Additionally, uterine displacements were calculated by analyzing cine images of the uterus.

Results: The quality of the T₂-weighted images of the female pelvis degrades with increasing uterine displacement.

Impact: The quality of T₂-weighted images is expected to be improved by the analysis of uterine displacements because this would enable us to address the artifacts in advance.

Motivation: The prostate gland consist of 3 distinctive zones, namely Central zone (CZ), Transitional Zone (TZ), and Peripheral Zone (PZ) having diffusive property, which can be measured by apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) .

Goal(s): This study aims to measure ADC values of the prostate with age that varies according to tissue density.

Approach: A retrospective cross-sectional study with a purposive sampling technique was conducted on 25 patients with ages ranging from 20-90 years with no history of prostatic disease.

Results: Age related decrease in ADC value were observed in this study with significant difference in ADC values between zones of prostate.

Impact: when using DWI for diagnosing prostate cancer, age-related changes in ADC value need to be considered. Increase in age have influence in ADC value of different zones showing significant differences, with highest in PZ and lowest in CZ.  

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Motivation: Despite its importance in breast MRI, T2-weighted supine imaging is understudied, risking image quality due to motion and prolonged respiratory-triggered scans.

Goal(s): To evaluate effectiveness of 3D supine T2-weighted breast imaging using a 60-channel flexible breast coil.

Approach: Three individuals underwent prone and supine breast imaging using two parallel imaging settings. An MRI Radiologist evaluated four images in a blinded study of techniques.

Results: Increased acceleration available with the 60-channel breast coil, achieved high 3D T2-weighted image quality in the supine position within a clinically feasible scan time.

Impact: Supine positioning in breast MRI, facilitated with flexible blanket coils and fast, high-performing protocols, has the potential to improve the comfort and efficiency of the exam, allowing breast MRI to be accessible to a much wider population of women.

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Motivation: To investigate the persistent effects on the brain following recovery from COVID-19.

Goal(s): To examine differences in brain’s functional connectivity between post-COVID-19 subjects and healthy controls.

Approach: To use resting-state fMRI data to identify brain functional networks.

Results: Post-COVID subjects exhibited higher functional connectivity in a brain network including the left olfactory cortex as the main hub connected to other brain regions.

Impact: We observed that post-COVID-19 subjects continue to exhibit significant anomalies in the olfactory cortex of the brain. These results support previous findings and highlight the relevance of research from a fMRI perspective for investigating the effects on brain of COVID-19.

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Motivation: The duration of MRI examinations can prove taxing for patients, leading to incomplete studies and compromised image quality due to motion. Critically ill patients requiring monitoring, those with MRI scanning time restricted implanted devices, and patients with altered mental status may be affected by lengthy scans. 

Goal(s): We aim to reduce scan times in neuroradiologic studies while maintaining or improving image quality.

Approach: We applied accelerated acquisition and deep learning-based reconstruction to our current protocols.  The images were assessed for signal-to-noise ratio and quality by two neuroradiologists.

Results: Scan times were drastically reduced, some more than twofold, with simultaneous improvement of image quality.

Impact: Deep learning-based reconstruction not only reduces MRI scanning time in common neuroradiologic examinations, but it also improves overall image quality.  This empowers clinical sites to manage a higher workload while also diminishing potential for patient safety incidents.

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Motivation: The hippocampus plays a pivotal role in cognition, hosting an intrinsic neural timescale hierarchy. 

Goal(s): How does this intrinsic neural timescale hierarchy within the hippocampal subfield evolve throughout childhood and adolescence?

Approach: Our study encompasses 300 healthy children (6-14 years). We characterized the intrinsic neural timescale by assessing the decay of the temporal autocorrelation function (ACF) and utilized mixed-effect model to chart the developmental trajectories.

Results: Group-level intrinsic timescales within hippocampal subfields show clear temporal hierarchies along the long-axis and medial-lateral axis, and show significant correlations with hippocampal functional connectome gradients. Developmental trajectories reveal significant maturation and reorganization during childhood and adolescence.

Impact: Our research findings offer valuable insights into the unique patterns of INT within various hippocampal subfields. Furthermore, they shed light on the significant maturation and reorganization of the temporal integration and segregation structure that occurs during the onset of puberty.

Motivation: Cardiac diffusion tensor imaging (cDTI) enables the characterization of the myocardial microstructural environment. However, B0 inhomogeneity around the heart can lead to EPI distortion and signal loss in cDTI.

Goal(s): To investigate the feasibility of using FSL TOPUP for EPI Distortion Correction in cDTI.

Approach: This proposed approach could be seamlessly integrated into cDTI postprocessing, significantly improving the accuracy and reproducibility of cDTI, particularly when researchers are analyzing metrics alongside other cardiac image parameters.

Results: The FSL TOPUP method could correct EPI distortion in both diffusion-weighted images (b0 and b400), following which kinds of cDTI metrics are reconstructed successfully after the correction.

Impact: The FSL TOPUP algorithm has been successfully integrated into the cDTI postprocessing in order to correct EPI distortion effectively.

Motivation: We want to confirm MK's ability in MS by a meta-analysis because different research have reported contradicting outcomes of MK value (that can indicate axon and myelin microstructural complexity).

Goal(s): To compare DKI in WMLs and NAWM 

Approach: Tabular pairwise comparison estimates for each category. Mean ranks, 95% confidence intervals, and cumulative ranking curve were shown.

Results: 3 studies evaluated MK in NAWM and WM among MS patients; 4 compared MK in WM among control and MS patients; and 5 compared MK in WM and NAWM as well.

Impact: The study found that MS WMLs and NAWM have lower MKs. The findings may help physicians evaluate MS WMLs using MK consistency.

Motivation: We are motivated to investigate CP volume alterations in depression and their associations with brain inflammation

Goal(s): To investigate CP volume alterations in depression and associations with central brain inflammation

Approach: The study re-analyzed 51 depressed participants (HDRS score >13) from the Wellcome Trust NIMA project. Fully peripheral cytokine profiling [11C] PK11195 PET/structural MRI imaging measured neuroinflammation, blood-to-CSF radiotracer exchange parameters, and CP volume

Results: Depressed patients had a higher CP volume than HCs (t(76) =+2.17, p=0.03), which was positively linked with [11C]PK11195 binding in the anterior cingulate, prefrontal, and insular cortex. CP volume negatively correlated with blood-to-CSF radiotracer exchange parameters (r=-0.28, p=0.02)

Impact: Findings suggest that brain barrier alterations may reduce blood-CSF exchanges, disrupting brain homeostasis and causing depression-related inflammation

Motivation: This research is driven by the pivotal role of 1H-MRS in comprehending the relationship between bone marrow fat (BMF), metabolic conditions, and lifestyle interventions.

Goal(s): This research holds the potential to uncover 1H-MRS as a tool for comprehending metabolic health through lifestyle interventions.

Approach: It seeks to elucidate the therapeutic potential of lifestyle interventions in regulating BMF and its implications for metabolic health. 
The study employs a prospective cohort design, utilizing 1H-MRS to quantify vertebral BMF before and after an 8-week dietary intervention incorporating nuts and physical activity.

Results: The research observed a non-significant trend towards reduced BMF following the intervention.

Impact: The study's results underscore the potential of 1H-MRS in assessing BMF in the context of lifestyle interventions. These findings stimulate further investigations, encouraging scientists and clinicians to explore larger cohorts to elucidate the role of BMF in metabolic health.

Motivation: medical support for treating tumor patients

Goal(s): critical necessity for more accurate computeraided methods for early tumor detection

Approach: proposing a finetuned Block-Wise Visual Geometry Group19 (BW-VGG19) architecture

Results: We achieved an accuracy of 0.98%

Impact:  the best results associated with the existing methods

Motivation: Auto segmentation of the affected part is needed to facilitate radiologists

Goal(s):  we have considered a hybrid model that inherits the convolutional neural network (CNN) properties to the support vector machine (SVM) for the auto-segmented brain tumor region

Approach:  we have considered a hybrid model that inherits the CNN properties to the SVM for the auto-segmented brain tumor region

Results: An accuracy value of 0.98, which is most prominent than existing techniques

Impact:  The proposed approach is more suitable for medical experts to diagnose the early stages of the brain tumor.