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Neuroradiology

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01-02-2016 | Functional Neuroradiology

Q-ball imaging models: comparison between high and low angular resolution diffusion-weighted MRI protocols for investigation of brain white matter integrity

Authors: Giuseppina Caiazzo, Francesca Trojsi, Mario Cirillo, Gioacchino Tedeschi, Fabrizio Esposito

Published in: Neuroradiology | Issue 2/2016

Abstract

Introduction

Q-ball imaging (QBI) is one of the typical data models for quantifying white matter (WM) anisotropy in diffusion-weighted MRI (DwMRI) studies. Brain and spinal investigation by high angular resolution DwMRI (high angular resolution imaging (HARDI)) protocols exhibits higher angular resolution in diffusion imaging compared to low angular resolution models, although with longer acquisition times. We aimed to assess the difference between QBI-derived anisotropy values from high and low angular resolution DwMRI protocols and their potential advantages or shortcomings in neuroradiology.

Methods

Brain DwMRI data sets were acquired in seven healthy volunteers using both HARDI (b = 3000 s/mm², 54 gradient directions) and low angular resolution (b = 1000 s/mm², 32 gradient directions) acquisition schemes. For both sequences, tract of interest tractography and generalized fractional anisotropy (GFA) measures were extracted by using QBI model and were compared between the two data sets.

Results

QBI tractography and voxel-wise analyses showed that some WM tracts, such as corpus callosum, inferior longitudinal, and uncinate fasciculi, were reconstructed as one-dominant-direction fiber bundles with both acquisition schemes. In these WM tracts, mean percent different difference in GFA between the two data sets was less than 5 %. Contrariwise, multidirectional fiber bundles, such as corticospinal tract and superior longitudinal fasciculus, were more accurately depicted by HARDI acquisition scheme.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the design of optimal DwMRI acquisition protocols for clinical investigation of WM anisotropy by QBI models should consider the specific brain target regions to be explored, inducing researchers to a trade-off choice between angular resolution and acquisition time.

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Title: Q-ball imaging models: comparison between high and low angular resolution diffusion-weighted MRI protocols for investigation of brain white matter integrity
Authors: Giuseppina Caiazzo
Francesca Trojsi
Mario Cirillo
Gioacchino Tedeschi
Fabrizio Esposito
Publication date: 01-02-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Neuroradiology / Issue 2/2016
Print ISSN: 0028-3940
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1920
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-015-1616-3

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Q-ball imaging models: comparison between high and low angular resolution diffusion-weighted MRI protocols for investigation of brain white matter integrity

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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