3T MRI – optimizing clinical imaging; Jan 2015

3T Principles and
Implications on imaging
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Principles of 3T MRI

SNR ~ B0
The main driver for going to 3T is the gain in SNR
How to use the SNR?
Contrast
Diffusion T2w Dark Fluid T2 3D SPACE
SAR ~ B02

B0 variation –
Susceptibility

Chemical shift

B1 variation –
Dielectric effects Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoutoshi Sakyouku,
Japan
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How to use the increased SNR @ 3T?

 SNR and resolution are mostly increased at 3T for

increased sensitivity and artefact reduction
SNR
 An increase of the resolution by 20% in each
dimension cuts the SNR by a factor of 2, which
equals the principle SNR gain at 3T
 Various signal weightings impact the apparent
resolution
 Specific applications like body MRI benefit from faster
scan times at 3T.
 Limits in SNR (if used alternatively), SAR, T1 contrast
and the availability of acceleration techniques may Resolution Scan Time
limit the potential for faster imaging

Note: 3T is NOT a booster to speed up MRI in general Note: good coils are key for high SNR
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How to use the increased SNR @ 3T
Optimizing SNR

Parameter Target Side effect Benefits of high SNR

 Increased SNR for better conspicuity
averages 𝑆𝑁𝑅~ 𝑎𝑣𝑒 Increased scan time
 Enable applications which are
Number of PE 𝑆𝑁𝑅~ 𝑛𝑃𝐸 e.g. phase Increased scan time prohibitive at 1.5T due to long scan
steps oversampling, 3D vs 2D
Switch off acceleration
times because of required averaging
like e.g. 3D T2w imaging, ASL
Echo train length Limit the duration of T2 or Increased scan time
T2* decay in multi echo  Increased sensitivity in dynamic
Turbo factor
TSE or EPI sequences imaging due to increased temporal
Resolution 𝑆𝑁𝑅~𝑑𝑉 = 𝑑𝑥𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑧 Lower resolution SNR – tSNR e.g. in BOLD fMRI
Larger voxels
TR Reduce T1 saturation Contrast competing
with scan time
TE (e.g. ASL, Minimize TE if T2 or T2* none
diffusion, T1w) See 3TMRI_Neuro_EPI
is not primary contrast
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How to use the increased SNR @ 3T
Reducing scan time at constant resolution

Parameter Target Cost/ risk

Averages/ oversampling Reduce the number of acquisition steps SNR

iPAT Reduce acquisition steps using local coils for spatial encoding SNR

Phase partial Fourier Reduce spatial encoding steps at the cost of SNR or resolution SNR, resolution

ZOOMit Reduce spatial encoding steps by decreasing the FOV SNR

Interleaved multislice 2D multislice acquisition to acquire multiple slices ‘simulataneously’ SNR, slice crosstalk
concatenations Fit more slices into TR by increasing RO bandwidth
Concatenations Fit more slices into TR, increasing RO bandwidth SNR, SAR, crosstalk
Turbo factor/ echo train Increase number of acquisition steps after one excitation in TSE, SNR, SAR, contrast
length SPACE or GRASE sequences
TR Reduce TR if contrast allows e.g. in fast 3D GRE based sequences SNR, SAR, contrast
by increasing RO bandwidth (opposed-/in-phase condition!)

Scan time might need to be prolonged @ 3T to reduce SAR or to optimize T1 contrast!

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Optimizing resolution
Beyond base resolution and slice thickness
Scan parameter Target Side effect

Through-plane slice profile (RF mode normal (GRE) or fast (TSE)) Increased SAR

Phase resolution maximize Increased scan time

Phase partial Fourier  Maximize, for TSE and SPACE by varying TE and/ or Increased scan time
Turbo Factor TE increases for Diff-EPI
 Minimize for SE/TSE only for Half Fourier recon SNR loss for Half Fourier
Asymmetric echo  Switch off. Mainly for GRE to yield in-/op. phase TE Longer TE, conflict with in-/op.
 Do not combine with phase partial Fourier phase TE times or Dixon
Elliptical scanning Switch off Increased scan time
Filter rawdata Use moderate filter or switch off for fully sampled k-space Gibbs ringing/ increased noise
Filter Image Intensity sharp, edge enhancement = 1; smoothing = 1 Increased noise appearance
TSE factor T2w  Keep echo train duration ≤ 2*T2(T2*) Slightly increased SNR
EPI  Compensate T2 decay for TSE
TSE factor T1w/ PDw Keep echo train short (ETL ≤ 5) if possible Increased scan time
Hyperecho  Switch off for T1w or PDw TSE
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 shift TE towards end of echo train in T2w TSE
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Principles of 3T MRI

SNR ~ B0
SNR is good, the contrast to noise ratio (CNR) is what matters

Contrast SWI – thin MIP SWI – thin MIP

1.5T GRAPPA 2, matrix 320 3T GRAPPA 2, matrix 448

SAR ~ B02

B0 variation –
Susceptibility

Chemical shift

B1 variation –
Dielectric effects

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T1 Contrast
Strategies for T1 weighted imaging

Sequence parameter 1.5T 3T comment 2D techniques

 (T1-SE and T1-TSE)
TR [ms] (SE/ GRE) 500-650 600-800/ Direct impact on scan  T1 FLASH
100-400 150-500 time  T1 weighted TIRM dark
Flip angle (SE/ GRE) 90/70-90 70-90/ Scales with TR fluid
RF pulses normal fast If SAR allows!
3D techniques
Concatenations 1-2 ≥2 Less required for GRE  MPRAGE
TI - STIR 140-160 220  T1-Space
 FL3D
TI - FLAIR 2700 3350 Depending on TR
 T1 VIBE
Opposed/ in-phase TE 2.4/4.8 1.23/2.46
 See Neuro part of course

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Contrast values for T1 and T2

T1 [ms] @1.5T T1 [ms] @3T T2 [ms] @1.5T T2 [ms] @3T

White matter 884 1084 72-79 56-69
Gray matter 1124 1820 95 71-99
Optic nerve 815 1083 77 78
Spinal cord 745 993 74 78
blood 1441 1932 290 275
Liver 576 812 46-54 42
Skeletal muscle 1008 1412 35-44 32-50
Heart 1030 1471 40-44 47
Kidney 690 1194 55-61 56
Cartilage (0°/55°) 1024/1038 1168/1156 30/44 27/43
GJ.Stanisz, EE. Odrobina, J. Pun, M. Escaravage, SJ. Graham, MJ. Bronskill, RM Henkelman. T1, T2 Relaxation and
Magnetization Transfer in Tissue at 3T. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine 54:507–512 (2005)
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Principles of 3T MRI

Why do we take care about SAR management at 3T?

SNR ~ B0

SAR@3T = 4 times SAR @1.5T

Contrast
to achieve the same flip angle using the same RF pulse shape and length

SAR ~ B02 Why do WE need to take care about SAR management at 3T?
Patient specific SAR supervision allows higher application performance
B0 variation – regarding
Susceptibility
 Number of slices
 TR and sequence run time
Chemical shift
 Range of usable flip angles & rf-pulse types
If standard protocols are optimized for “typical” patients rather than for worst
B1 variation –
Dielectric effects case

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Monitoring SAR
user responsibility

 Patient registration
 Solving strategy in case Look-ahead SAR
monitor detects ‘SAR limit(s) exceeded’
 Switching of operating mode
 General MR safety measures

 The subject must not be positioned as shown

 Use of paper/cotton/linen to cover all exposed skin
 No synthetic blankets
 No direct patient contact to magnet bore or electric cables
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 Change Slow
SAR management strategies limits down RF

Increase SAR limits Efficient resign

RF RF

Increase the SAR limits

 Reduce bore temperature  ventilation, cooling
 First level operation mode (see slide)

IEC guidelines

Do NOT use 1st level if

 the patient has an impaired heat regulation
 the patient is sedated
 The ambient temperature is too high
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 Change Slow
SAR management strategies limits down RF

slow down RF application Efficient resign

RF RF

Distribute the RF energy/ RF pulses equally and over Bathtub analogy

a longer time
 Protocol ordering: distribute SAR intense sequences RF pulse
 Increase/ introduce post acquisition delay times
 Decrease acquisition window for PACE sequences
If contrast allows
 Prolong TR
 Increase echo spacing (RO BW, gradient mode…)
Max. of deposited energy
After reaching the (whole body) SED limit, scanning = SAR limit * average time

needs to be stopped,
Constant outflow = SAR limit (e.g. 3W/kg)
 this is an energy not a power limit like SAR e.g. because blood flow, perfusion
 To limit the total core temperature rise

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 Change Slow
SAR management strategies limits down RF

Reduce the number of applied RF pulses Efficient resign

RF RF

Reducing spatial encoding steps* Risk

Reduce the number of slices Reduced volume coverage

Reduce averages, phase oversampling SNR is reduced

iPAT, Phase Partial Fourier Reduced SNR, iPAT SNR loss

* Do not fill the gained scan time with additional acquisitions depositing the same SAR

Turn off preparation pulses Risk

Remove spatial saturation pulses Increased aliasing/ flow/ motion artefacts

Remove restore pulse (and increase TR) Contrast change  increase TR

Turn of MTC e.g. for ToF Reduced back ground suppression

Fat sat, choose quick fat sat Incomplete fat saturation

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 Change Slow
SAR management strategies limits down RF

Strategies for SAR reduced excitation Efficient resign

RF RF

RF pulse manipulations Risk

RF pulse mode ‘low SAR’ & VERSE Slice distortions, B0 sensitive slice profile VERSE

Replace 2D by 3D (e.g. space) Contrast change, scan time

Use fat sat rather than SPAIR Incomplete/ non uniform fat sat

Replace STIR by TSE FS or TSE Dixon Change of contrast, B0 sensitive fat sat

Varying the flip angle Risk

Reduce flip angle for TSE, TrueFISP SNR reduction, contrast change

Hyperecho/ SPACE Change of contrast, blurry, slice bend

Sequence selection Risk

Replace SE by GE based sequences Change of contrast

Turn SE  TSE, increase Turbo Factor Change of contrast

Replace T2 TSE by T2 TGSE Partly GRE properties

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Principles of 3T MRI

SNR ~ B0  B0 variations scale with B0 Map of local precession frequencies – B0 map

 (macroscopic) B0 variations
Contrast
are a major source of artifacts

SAR ~ B02

B0 variation –
Susceptibility

Chemical shift

B1 variation –
Dielectric effects

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B0 variations
Optimizing B0 shimming

Sequence Parameter target risk

B0 mapping  Choose organ specific B0 mapping protocol none

 Cardiac shim may also be suited for abdomen
Adjustment volume  As small as possible Coverage of ROI
 Exclude B0 gradients at edge of adjustment volume
Adjust with body coil Use body coil instead of surface coil for B0 mapping SNR of B0 map

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Minimizing unwanted signal loss due to B0 variations

Distortion type What to optimize How to optimize Side effects

Non selective 3D Flip angle RF pulse type ‘fast’ or ‘optimized’ Increased SAR
excitation WARP

GRE, EPI Intravoxel  Thinner slices Increased scan time

dephasing  Increased resolution
 Shorten TE

SE based/ TSE No signal loss due

 
to B0 variation

TrueFISP Banding artefacts  minimize TR, reduce resolution if necessary

 choose frequency offset to shift TrueFISP Use frequency scout
bands out of the region of interest
 Use CISS
 Replace TrueFISP by SPACE if possible

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Optimizing distortions

Distortion type What to optimize How to optimize Side effects

Slice direction Slice curvature RF pulse type ‘fast’ or ‘optimized’ Increased SAR
2D multi slice Locally varying slice WARP
distance Thin slices

Slice direction Low flip angle areas Increase the slab plus phase oversampling Increased scan time
3D slab selective Aliasing artefacts Thinner slabs (if possible), Multi slab

RO direction Mis-registration Increase bandwidth per pixel Decreased SNR

along RO direction Decrease FOV (minimizing shift in mm) In-/opp. phase cycling

PE direction No distortions!!
 
GRE, SE, TSE For both 2D & 3D

PE direction EPI See below See below See below

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Minimizing distortions for EPI imaging
PE direction – summary

What Target How to optimize Potential Side effects

Fat chemical shift Fat suppression SPAIR (Increased SAR)

PE direction Lowest sensitivity  A-P (or P-A) on transverse Increased echo train
along smallest B0  H-F (or F-H) on coronal
variation  not as important on sagittal
RO bandwidth Echo spacing Choose RO BW with lowest echo spacing Decreased SNR

RESOLVE Echo spacing Segments between 5-9; Increased scan time

Depending on resolution and ESP Motion sensitivity

iPAT Number of phase iPAT ≤ 2 very reliable Reduced SNR

encoding lines iPAT > 2 motion sensitive  Flash reference VE11 Motion sensitivity

FOV/ ZOOMit Number of phase Minimize FOV (and matrix), to avoid aliasing Reduced SNR (ZOOMit)
encoding lines artefacts use ZOOMit prolonged TE (ZOOMit)

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Dynamic B0 variations
Minimizing Eddy current artefacts

What Target How to optimize Potential Side effects

Iso-centre All sequences Position target close to iso-centre

Gradient mode All sequences Use normal or whisper whenever the scan is Slightly prolonged scan
time
not time critical especially for MSK
Dynamic field Diffusion EPI Direct: for small b values/ high SNR images Mis-correction
correction Adjust: for high b values/ low SNR images Longer scan time

Diffusion scheme Diffusion EPI Choose bipolar diffusion scheme vs monopolar Prolonged TE, low SNR

Select encoding All sequences Change image orientation Sub-optimal image

directions Change in-plane rotation orientation

phase correction TSE Automatic  on may fail

Reduced motion TSE Switch on to randomize PE lines within segment

Reduced EC sensitivity TSE Switch on

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Flow and motion
Methods to minimize artefacts

What How

Fast (single shot) imaging HASTE, EPI, TrueFisp

Averaging Averaging out motion artefacts, e.g. free breathing

BLADE Oversampling of k-space centre  averaging. Radial view orders spread the
Star VIBE (VE11) artifacts more uniformly within the plane

Reduced motion sensitivity randomize the view order to spread the artifacts over two dimensions

Flow compensation gradient moment nulling

Image encoding directions Use different sensitivities of encoding directions

Magnetization preparation Preparation pulses like T2prep IR may have increased motion sensitivity

PACE, triggering, gating Freeze motion

Breath holds Freeze motion

Motion correction registration

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Principles of 3T MRI

SNR ~ B0  Chemical shift causes shifts in the precession frequency on top of

the B0 variation.
Contrast
 Basis for spectroscopy

SAR ~ B02 ~𝑩𝟎

B0 variation –
Susceptibility

Chemical shift

w0 frequency
B1 variation – 𝝎𝟎 (𝟏 − 𝝈)
Dielectric effects

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Fat suppression

What method Pro and con

Fat sat Quick: reduced number of sat pulses Sensitive to B0 AND B1 variations
SPAIR Frequency selective adiabatic Insensitive to B1 – more robust at 3T
inversion pulse Sensitive to B0 variations, good profile
Slice dependent for PACE triggered, solved in VE11
Water excitation Binomial frequency selective (water) Prolonged RF pulse/ TR
excitation pulse B0 sensitive, good profile
Fat suppression insensitive to B1
STIR Adiabatic inversion pulse on both fat Change of contrast
and water signal Independent of B0 and B1 variations
Dixon 2 – point Dixon: acquire 2 TE times Local AND global swaps may occur! ( VE)
VIBE: integrated Independent of B0 and B1
TSE: separate in VD, integrated in VE Contrast change (acceptance post CA pending)
Gradient reversal Added for Diff-EPI fat sat mode strong Sensitive to B0

Note: Good B0 shimming is pre-requisite for good fat suppression

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Principles of 3T MRI

SNR ~ B0 Flip angle variations are intensified at 3T leading to non-uniform

contrast and signal loss
Contrast
z

SAR ~ B02

B0 variation –
Susceptibility
x

Chemical shift y

B1 variation –
Dielectric effects B1  Flip angle

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Optimizing transmitter adjustment and
B1 shading artefacts

Available on single channel system

DblEco 1D Ensure to use DblEco 1D
CP/ EP mode VE11: TrueFORM C, VD workaround: select 1 head coil element

Local Transmitter adjust Acquire B1 map, calculate and set the reference voltage manually

Adiabatic pulses Increase the pulse voltage (high SAR!!)

B1 filter Only corrects signal but not contrast variation

Try B1 filter instead of pre-scan normalize in case of head shading

Additionally available on 2 channel pTX systems

B1 shim Patient specific
Volume specific

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Image normalization

Retrospective correction of signal intensity: Tab card: Resolution/Filter Image

 It‘s not correcting for SNR
 It‘s not correcting for contrast variation!

What type Variants Potential Side effects

Normalize 2D Head normalize Slice-to-slice ‘flickering’
Abdomen normalize Sensitive to low SNR
Low pass filter
Pre scan 3D Moderate – limit noise appearance Standard signal correction
normalize Normal Does not consider B1+
Broad range – one sided coils e.g. spine
B1 filter 3D intrinsic Sensitive to low SNR
Amplification of artefact signals possible

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Acknowledgement

█ John Kirsch
█ Ursula and Gert Reiter
█ Dominik Paul
█ Wilfried Landschütz

Questions?

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Contact

Hans-Peter Fautz
Application Trainer MR
H CX CS TC AN

Allee am Röthelheimpark 3A
91052 Erlangen, Deutschland
Tel: +49 9131 84-7984
Mobile: +49 1522 2624190
mailto:
[email protected]
Answers for life.
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