Research

The Magnetic Resonance Laboratory is engaged in multiple projects that involve increasing image acquisition speed, advancing the means for image reconstruction, reducing MRI artifacts, improving spatiotemporal resolution and increasing the value of MRI.

Prostate MRI

In the U.S., prostate cancer is the most common and second-most deadly noncutaneous cancer in men. But five-year survival rates approaching 100% are possible if the cancer is detected early.

Prostate MRI has become increasingly important in cancer detection and localization. It is generally performed using a multiparametric approach composed of T2-weighted spin-echo (T2SE), diffusion-weighted (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) imaging.

The goal of this project is to improve the overall efficacy of prostate MRI, ultimately leading to a 15-minute exam that can accurately detect cancer and assess its progression. This would markedly increase the value of prostate MRI for routine use.

A specific area of study related to this goal is generating images with improved spatial resolution, particularly in the slice select direction of 2D acquisition. With modest oversampling of acquired slices, correction for the thick slice profile can be made, allowing the imaging of slices with thicknesses of 1 mm or less. This work is ongoing.

Multiple aspects being studied include:

  • Increased speed to acquire multiple (100 or more) slices.
  • Improved fidelity in the resolution along the slice direction.
  • Improved receiver coils better matched to the anatomical region.
  • Improved image reconstruction to provide higher signal-to-noise ratio.
  • Modified acquisition to reduce motion artifacts.

These methods are expected to apply beyond prostate imaging to many other anatomic regions.

Cardiovascular MRI

For over three decades, the Magnetic Resonance Laboratory has been developing methods applicable to imaging of the cardiovascular system. These include:

  • Initial development of the technique of view sharing.
  • Segmented k-space sampling.
  • Use of real-time navigator echoes.
  • Centric and elliptical centric view orders.
  • Fluoroscopic triggering.
  • Continuous table motion magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).
  • High spatial-temporal resolution contrast-enhanced MRA.

Current research projects seek to improve speed, reduce contrast dose and extend the contrast-enhanced MRA acquisitions to dynamic contrast-enhanced perfusion imaging.

Previous projects

Previous projects include:

  • Synthetic MRI.
  • View sharing and MR fluoroscopy.
  • Development of fast fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging.
  • Real-time single-shot fast spin-echo imaging of the pelvis and fetus.
  • Real-time triggering of contrast-enhanced MRA scans.