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Biomedical subjects

F A Jolesz

Publications and source records attributed to F A Jolesz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

NMR of laser-polarized 129Xe in blood foam.

Laser-polarized 129Xe dissolved in a foam preparation of fresh human blood was investigated. The NMR signal of 129Xe dissolved in blood was enhanced by creating a foam in which the dissolved 129Xe exchanged with a large reservoir of gaseous laser-polarized 129Xe. The dissolved 129Xe T1 in this system was found to be significantly shorter in oxygenated blood than in deoxygenated blood. The T1 of 129Xe dissolved in oxygenated blood foam was found to be approximately 21 (+/-5) s, and in deoxygenated blood foam to be greater than 40 s. To understand the oxygenation trend, T1 measurements were also made on plasma and hemoglobin foam preparations. The measurement technique using a foam gas-liquid exchange interface may also be useful for studying foam coarsening and other liquid physical properties.

Animals

3D localization of surface 10-20 EEG electrodes on high resolution anatomical MR images.

A method to visualize surface EEG electrodes on conventional high-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) images is presented. Because conventional silver or gold electrodes generate an insignificant artifactual signal signature in MR images, a plastic capsule filled with gadolinium-doped water was designed to mold onto each electrode, thereby outlining the electrode surfaces as a negative imprint on MR images. MR images of the head with capsules affixed clearly demonstrated the location and shape of the electrodes. Selected cranial tissues were identified by using semi-automatic image segmentation to determine their three-dimensional spatial relationship to the electrodes. Such representations could be used as a starting point for more precise EEG source localization modeling applicable to individual patients.

Brain

Use of cortical surface vessel registration for image-guided neurosurgery.

OBJECTIVE: We have treated patients with brain surface tumors by using video registration of a three-dimensional image to the surgical field, to identify eloquent cortices, localize the lesions, and define the tumor margins. "Skin-to-skin" registration using the skin surface to produce alignment was performed earlier but was difficult in areas with few prominent registration landmarks. For this reason, "vessel-to-vessel" registration using the cortical vessels as fiducials was applied to 17 cases, to improve accuracy. This article presents the advantages and limitations of vessel-to-vessel registration, as determined from the data for these cases. The accuracy is also estimated. METHODS: A three-dimensional model was reconstructed from magnetic resonance imaging data, and a two-dimensional projection was superimposed on the video image of the actual surgical field. The tumor was resected with guidance from the registered video image. The two-dimensional projection accuracy of vessel-to-vessel registration was compared with that of skin-to-skin registration by using a phantom study. RESULTS: All 17 tumors underwent gross total resection, and the patients experienced no major permanent neurological deficits. In the phantom study, the two-dimensional, projected, target registration error of a tumor with skin-to-skin registration was estimated as 8.9 +/- 5.3 mm and that with vessel-to-vessel registration was 1.3 +/- 1.4 mm (99th percentile confidence intervals, 24.8 and 5.5 mm, respectively). CONCLUSION: Video registration using cortical surface vessels is practical and improves two-dimensional projection accuracy significantly, compared with skin registration.

Adolescent

Magnetic resonance imaging study of hippocampal volume in chronic, combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder.

This study used quantitative volumetric magnetic resonance imaging techniques to explore the neuroanatomic correlates of chronic, combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in seven Vietnam veterans with PTSD compared with seven nonPTSD combat veterans and eight normal nonveterans. Both left and right hippocampi were significantly smaller in the PTSD subjects compared to the Combat Control and Normal subjects, even after adjusting for age, whole brain volume, and lifetime alcohol consumption. There were no statistically significant group differences in intracranial cavity, whole brain, ventricles, ventricle:brain ratio, or amygdala. Subarachnoidal cerebrospinal fluid was increased in both veteran groups. Our finding of decreased hippocampal volume in PTSD subjects is consistent with results of other investigations which utilized only trauma-unexposed control groups. Hippocampal volume was directly correlated with combat exposure, which suggests that traumatic stress may damage the hippocampus. Alternatively, smaller hippocampi volume may be a pre-existing risk factor for combat exposure and/or the development of PTSD upon combat exposure.

Adult

Dynamic T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of interstitial laser photocoagulation in the liver: observations on in vivo temperature sensitivity.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Magnetic resonance imaging's (MRI) potential to monitor interstitial laser photocoagulation (ILP) has been previously demonstrated and is further tested here with improved spatial and temporal resolution. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo experiments employed fiber-delivered 1,064 nm light (3.0 W, 150 sec) in six rabbit livers monitored under T1-weighted FSE MRI as 1 image/10 sec and a 3 mm thick 8 cm FOV. Image signal intensities (SI) were compared with temperatures (T) at 7, 10, and 15 mm from the fiber. RESULTS: Data showed 33 degrees C < T < 60 degrees C. SI did not vary inverselinearly with T; changes in the tissue altered the MRI signal interfering with the SI changes due to temperature. CONCLUSION: MRI cannot map SI-derived temperatures over the entire treatment site. The role of MRI's temperature sensitivity must be coordinated with organ- and dose-specific tissue changes.

Animals

Simultaneous magnetic resonance phase and magnitude temperature maps in muscle.

Noninvasive magnetic resonance temperature maps that are used to monitor thermal ablation of tissue are described. In magnetic resonance images, thermally induced proton nuclear magnetic resonance frequency shifts, and changes in the longitudinal relaxation time produce both phase and magnitude changes in the MR signal. Temperature maps with improved sensitivity are derived from the complex-difference nuclear magnetic resonance signal. Bovine muscle specimens were heated with focused ultrasound to model thermal surgery and create a known thermal distribution to test the method. Resulting MR images acquired in 2 s produce temperature maps with 1 min resolution and 2 degrees C temperature sensitivity. The temperature sensitivity was increased by extending the acquisition to 5 s, by decreasing the receiver bandwidth, and increasing the echo time.

Animals

Coherence transfer by isotropic mixing in Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill imaging: implications for the bright fat phenomenon in fast spin-echo imaging.

It is well known that when compared to conventional spin-echo (CSE) imaging for equivalent effective echo times, fast spin-echo (FSE) imaging experiments yield higher signal intensities for coupled spin systems, such as that for lipid. One hypothesis put forth for this phenomenon is the removal of scalar coupling-based echo amplitude modulation by the FSE pi pulse train. This would result in the maintenance of signal intensity in the late echoes, with an overall increase in image signal when the multiecho train data is combined to form the image data. It will be shown that in images and spectra obtained from the final echo of a Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) pi pulse train, an increase in signal in coupled spin systems occurs, when compared to conventional single-echo images and spectra at identical echo times. One- and two-dimensional spectroscopy experiments confirm that it is the generation of an isotropic mixing Hamiltonian by the pi pulse train in FSE that is responsible for the increased signal in images of a simple AX system and of corn oil, a model for human fat. This relative increase in signal is due to the maintenance of in-phase magnetization in the coupled spin systems by this Hamiltonian. In CSE, the weak coupling Hamiltonian allows development of antiphase coherences which, in the presence of the line broadening due to the imaging gradients, result in signal loss.

Adipose Tissue

Determinants of tissue delivery for 129Xe magnetic resonance in humans.

Magnetic resonance imaging using laser-polarized 129Xe is a new technique first demonstrated by Albert et. al. (Nature 370, 1994) who obtained a 129Xe image of an excised mouse lung. This paper describes the factors influencing the accumulation of inhaled, polarized 129Xe in human tissue. The resulting model predicts the 129Xe magnetization in different tissues as a function of the time from the start of inhalation, the tissue perfusion rate and partition coefficient for xenon, and the relevant T1 decay times. The relaxation times of 129Xe in biological tissues are not yet known precisely. Substitution of estimated values for these parameters results in an expected signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) from polarized 129Xe MR in the brain of approximately 2% of the equivalent SNR from proton MR.

Brain

Line scan diffusion imaging.

A novel line scan diffusion imaging sequence (LSDI) is introduced. LSDI is inherently insensitive to motion artifacts and high quality diffusion maps of the brain can be obtained rapidly without the use of head restraints or cardiac gating. Results from a stroke study and abdominal diffusion images are presented. The results indicate that it is feasible to use the LSDI technique for clinical evaluation of acute ischemic stroke. In contrast to echo-planar diffusion imaging, LSDI does not require modified gradient hardware and can be implemented on conventional scanners. Thus, LSDI should dramatically increase the general availability of robust clinical diffusion imaging.

Abdomen

Optimization of spoiled gradient-echo phase imaging for in vivo localization of a focused ultrasound beam.

The parameters of a spoiled gradient-echo (SPGR) pulse sequence have been optimized for in vivo localization of a focused ultrasound beam. Temperature elevation was measured by using the proton resonance frequency shift technique, and the phase difference signal-to-noise ratio (SNR delta phi) was estimated in skeletal muscle and kidney cortex in 10 rabbits. Optimized parameters included the echo time equivalent to T2* of the tissue, the longest repetition time possible with a 20-s sonication, and the flip angle equivalent to the Ernst angle. Optimal SPGR phase imaging can detect a sonication beam with a peak phase difference of 0.55 radian, which corresponds to a temperature elevation of 7.3 degrees C. The sonication beam can be localized within one voxel (0.6 x 0.6 x 5 mm3) at power levels that are below the threshold for thermal damage of the tissue.

Animals

Potential adverse effects of high-intensity focused ultrasound exposure on blood vessels in vivo.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential adverse effects of high intensity ultrasound exposure on blood vessels during noninvasive focused ultrasound surgery. A hydraulic MR-compatible positioning device was used to manipulate a focused ultrasound transducer (frequency 1.49 MHz, f-number = 0.8) in an MRI scanner. The system was used to sonicate a branch of the femoral artery and vein of 19 rabbits (26 thighs) in vivo at intensity levels above the threshold for transient cavitation; i.e., between 4400 and 8800 W cm-2 with multiple 1 s pulses stepped across the vessels (step size = 0.7 mm). The vessels were located and followed by MR angiography. In 13 rabbits, x-ray angiograms were also performed after the animals were euthanized. The results demonstrated that the 1 s high-intensity exposures caused the arteries to constrict at all exposure levels tested. At the intensity of 5800 W cm-2 and above, the MRI angiogram immediately after the sonications showed no flow. The x-ray angiograms (1-2 h later) showed that the blood vessels were open, but constricted to about 50% or less of their diameter. Both the MR and x-ray angiograms showed that the vessel diameters relaxed toward their initial diameter during the first week after sonication. In five cases, hemorrhage or vessel rupture was caused by the sonication. This study demonstrates that short, high-intensity focused ultrasound exposure can cause vessel spasm and hemorrhage when transient cavitation is present. This condition should be avoided during noninvasive focused ultrasound surgery.

Angiography

Nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation parameters of muscle in malignant hyperthermia-susceptible swine.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The malignant hyperthermia (MH) syndrome involves characteristic changes in metabolism that have a significant effect on the postmortem properties of muscle tissue. We investigated the 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (MR) relaxation parameters of muscle tissue from normal (MH-) and malignant hyperthermia-susceptible (MH+) swine taken before their death to identify whether postmortem metabolic differences would be accompanied by changes in relaxation parameters. METHODS: Muscle samples from 63 MH-susceptible swine were characterized by proton MR relaxation times (T1 and T2). The water content, pH, conducting, and the "subjective meat" quality were assessed in order to differentiate the meat into one of three groups: normal, pale-soft-exudative, and dark-firm-dry. RESULTS: The T2 relaxation of MH- and MH+ muscles was significantly different, but no significant changes were detected in the water content and corresponding T1 relaxation times. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that MH-susceptible swine can be distinguished from normal swine using nuclear MR relaxometry. The results of relaxation measurements and the multiexponential analysis of the T2 curves suggest a shift between the different water compartments during MH that might predict the increased water loss of muscle tissue after death.

Animals

Image-guided surgery in a new magnetic resonance suite: preclinical considerations.

Surgical procedures require correct identification of exposed anatomy with concomitant localization amidst contiguous structures. In endoscopic procedures the surgeon is provided a real-time endoscopic view and is prepared with radiologic images. Here we present an overview of a methodology of localization using intraoperatively acquired magnetic resonance (MR) images in preparation for magnetic resonance imaging-guided endoscopic sinus surgery. The methodology centers around a unique prototype imaging device and operating environment. An "open" 0.5 Tesla MR unit has been created that allows complete access to the patient's head and neck while concomitant images are obtained. Illustrative examples of localization technique from cadaver experiments are presented, as well as insights into the host of concerns for anesthesia, equipment, surgical instrumentation, communications, and documentation.

Anesthesia

Intracranial compartment volumes in patients with enlarged ventricles assessed by magnetic resonance-based image processing.

Magnetic resonance image-based computerized segmentation was used to measure the volumes of the brain, gray and white matter components, and to identify regions with prolonged enhancement on T2-weighted imaging, such as periventricular or deep white matter hyperintensities. The authors also determined the volumes of the ventricles and subarachnoid space in control subjects and in patients with: 1) aqueductal stenosis (AS); 2) other causes of obstructive hydrocephalus (OH); 3) Alzheimer's disease (AD); and 4) normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). In AS the volume of the brain was smaller, whereas that of ventricles and subarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid space was larger than that of controls. The decrease in brain volume was due primarily to white matter loss. Although in OH the ventricles were larger, the subarachnoid space was smaller than in controls, presumably due to encroachment by the brain, in which the volume remained unchanged. In AD, loss of both gray and white matter resulted in a smaller brain volume, whereas that of ventricles and subarachnoid space was larger than in controls. In NPH patients, only ventricular volume was greater, whereas all other compartments were similar to controls. The brain normally occupies 87% to 92% of the intracranial volume and consequently, as observed in our patients, relatively small decrements in brain size lead to large increments in ventricular and/or extraventricular volumes. The magnitude of such changes differed markedly among our patient groups, and whether such changes prove useful in clinical assessment and differentiation needs to be determined.

Adult

Age-related changes in intracranial compartment volumes in normal adults assessed by magnetic resonance imaging.

Magnetic resonance (MR) image-based computerized segmentation was used to measure various intracranial compartments in 49 normal volunteers ranging in age from 24 to 80 years to determine age-related changes in brain, ventricular, and extraventricular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volumes. The total intracranial volume (sum of brain, ventricular, and extraventricular CSF) averaged 1469 +/- 102 cm3 in men and 1289 +/- 111 cm3 in women. The difference was attributable primarily to brain volume, which accounted for 88.6% of the respective intracranial volumes in both sexes, but was significantly larger in men (1302 +/- 112 cm3) than in women (1143 +/- 105 cm3). In both, the cranial CSF volume averaged 11.4%. Total intracranial volume did not change with age, although the normalized brain volume of both men and women began to decrease after the age of 40 years. This decrease was best reflected by expansion of the extraventricular CSF volume which, after the age of 50 years, was more marked in men than in women. The volume of the cranial CSF, as determined by MR image-based computerized segmentation, is considerably larger than traditionally accepted and resides mostly extraventricularly. Expansion of CSF volume with age provides a good index of brain shrinkage although evolving changes and growth of the head with age tend to confound the results.

Adult