MRI Parameter For Beginners
MRI Parameter For Beginners
Key Words: MRI, Parameter, slice thickness, Slice gap, TR, TE, Field of view, Phase
encoding, Bandwidth, Matrix, Flip Angle, Inversion Time
Abbreviation: MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; TR, Repetition Time; TE, Echo Time;
TI, Inversion Time; FA, Flip Angle; FOV, Field of View; SNR, Signal to Noise Ratio; RF,
Radio Frequency; PE, Phase Encoding; Radio Frequency; GRE, Gradient Echo; SE,
Spin-Echo
Introduction:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique that uses a
powerful magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer to generate detailed images of the
inside of the body. It is a non-invasive and painless way to visualize internal organs and
structures and is commonly used to diagnose and monitor a variety of medical conditions.
MRI can provide high-resolution images of the brain, spine, joints, abdomen, and other
areas of the body, and is often preferred over other imaging methods because it does not
use ionizing radiation.
MRI parameters refer to a set of various settings that can be adjusted during the
acquisition of MRI images. These settings are adjusted to optimize image quality and
obtain the most accurate diagnostic information possible. Some of the most commonly
adjusted MRI parameters include TR (repetition time), TE (echo time), FA (flip angle), and
TI (inversion time), as well as averages, matrix size, FOV (field of view), slice thickness,
slice gap, phase encoding, bandwidth, and resolution.
To obtain high-quality MRI images, healthcare professionals can adjust these
parameters based on the specific diagnostic purposes and patient populations.
TI = n x TR - T1
where n is an integer (usually 1 or 2), TR is the repetition time, and T1 is the longitudinal
relaxation time of the tissue being imaged. The inversion time is used in inversion
recovery sequences, where the magnetization of the tissue is inverted and then allowed
to recover before the MRI signal is measured. The inversion time determines the amount
of time that the magnetization is allowed to recover before the signal is measured.
For example, if the repetition time is 2 seconds, the tissue T1 is 1000 ms, and n is 1, then
the inversion time would be:
TI = 1 x 2 seconds - 1000 ms = 1000 ms
This means that the magnetization is inverted and allowed to recover for 1000 ms before
the MRI signal is measured. The inversion time can be adjusted by changing the repetition
time, the tissue T1, or the value of n, depending on the specific imaging protocol and the
clinical question being addressed. Below is the schematic diagram of the inversion
recovery sequence with TI.
Averages:
Averages or number of excitation (NEX) is an MRI parameter that refers to the
number of times an MRI sequence is repeated to obtain the final image. In MRI, multiple
repetitions of the same sequence can be acquired and averaged together to improve the
signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the image. Averaging involves adding together the signals
from each repetition and dividing by the number of averages to produce a final image with
improved SNR. Increasing the number of averages can improve the quality of the final
image, but it also increases the imaging time. The number of averages is typically
adjusted based on the desired image quality and the available imaging time.
A higher number of averages can be useful in cases where there is low signal or high
noise, such as in imaging small structures or in patients with metal implants. However, in
some cases, a lower number of averages may be sufficient to obtain a good quality image,
especially if imaging time is limited or if the SNR is already high.
Number of Averages = Total Acquisition Time / Repetition Time
where Total Acquisition Time is the length of time required to acquire all of the MRI images
in the protocol, and Repetition Time is the time between successive RF pulses. For
example, if the total acquisition time is 10 minutes (600 seconds) and the repetition time
is 2 seconds, then the number of averages would be:
Number of Averages = 600 seconds / 2 seconds = 300
This means that each MRI image in the protocol would be acquired 300 times to obtain
the final image, which helps to reduce noise and improve image quality. The number of
averages can be adjusted by changing the total acquisition time or the repetition time,
depending on the specific imaging protocol and the clinical question being addressed.
Matrix:
Matrix is an MRI parameter that determines the number of pixels in the final image.
In MRI, the signals received from the body are digitized and used to create an image
matrix, which is a rectangular grid of picture elements, or pixels. The matrix is defined by
two parameters: the number of rows and the number of columns. The matrix size
determines the spatial resolution of the image, with higher matrix sizes corresponding to
higher spatial resolution.
Matrix Size = FOV / Pixel Size
where FOV is the field of view, and Pixel Size is the size of each pixel in the image. For
example, if the FOV is 240 mm and the pixel size is 0.9375 mm, then the matrix size
would be:
Matrix Size = 240 mm / 0.9375 mm = 256 pixels
This means that the MRI acquisition would have a matrix size of 256 x 256 pixels. The
matrix size can be adjusted by changing the FOV or the pixel size, depending on the
specific imaging protocol and the clinical question being addressed. The choice of matrix
size depends on the imaging needs and the available imaging time. Higher matrix sizes
can produce images with better spatial resolution, but they also require longer imaging
times and may have lower SNR. Lower matrix sizes may have faster imaging times and
higher SNR, but the resulting image may have lower spatial resolution.
The matrix size is often adjusted based on the body part being imaged, the desired spatial
resolution, and the specific imaging protocol.
Resolution:
Resolution is an MRI parameter that refers to the level of detail that can be seen
in an MRI image. In MRI, resolution is determined by the number of pixels in the image
and the size of the pixel, which is determined by the field of view (FOV) and the matrix
size. A larger matrix size and a smaller FOV result in a higher resolution image, while a
smaller matrix size and a larger FOV result in a lower resolution image. The choice of
resolution depends on the imaging needs and the specific imaging protocol. Higher
resolution images are useful for identifying small structures and subtle changes, while
lower resolution images are useful for visualizing larger structures and providing a
broader overview.
The resolution is often adjusted based on the body part being imaged, the desired spatial
resolution, and the specific imaging protocol. The resolution can be adjusted during the
MRI sequence to optimize the image quality. The resolution is typically measured in units
of distance per pixel, such as millimeters per pixel or micrometers per pixel.
Resolution = FOV / Matrix Size
where FOV is the field of view, which is the size of the region being imaged and Matrix
Size is the number of pixels in the image. For example, if the FOV is 20 cm and the matrix
size is 256 x 256, then the resolution would be:
Resolution = 20 cm / 256 = 0.078 cm per pixel
This means that each pixel in the image represents an area of 0.078 square centimeters,
which determines the level of detail that can be seen in the image.
Slice Thickness:
Slice thickness is an MRI parameter that determines the thickness of each slice in
the volume of the imaged tissue. In MRI, images are acquired in slices, with each slice
representing a thin section of the imaged tissue. The thickness of the slice is determined
by the slice selection gradient applied during the MRI sequence.
The choice of slice thickness depends on the imaging needs and the specific imaging
protocol. A thinner slice thickness can provide higher spatial resolution and more detailed
images, but it may also result in longer imaging times and lower SNR. A thicker slice
thickness can provide faster imaging times and higher SNR, but it may also result in lower
spatial resolution and less detailed images. The slice thickness is often adjusted based
on the body part being imaged, the desired spatial resolution, and the specific imaging
protocol. For example, brain imaging typically uses slice thicknesses in the range of 1-
5mm, while imaging of the spine or joints may use thicker slices of 3-6mm or more.
Slice Thickness = FOV / Matrix * (Percentage of field of view)
where FOV is the field of view, Matrix is the number of pixels in each direction, and
Percentage of field of view is the percentage of the FOV that is covered by the slice. For
example, if the FOV is 200 mm, the matrix size is 256 x 256, and the percentage of field
of view covered by the slice is 100%, then the slice thickness would be:
Slice Thickness = 200 mm / 256 pixels * 1 = 0.78 mm
This means that each slice would have a thickness of 0.78 mm. The slice thickness can
be adjusted by changing the FOV, matrix size, or percentage of field of view covered by
the slice, depending on the specific imaging protocol and the clinical question being
addressed. Please find below the figure that compares the thick and thin slices.
Slice gap:
A slice gap is an MRI parameter that determines the distance between adjacent
slices in a volume of the imaged tissue. In MRI, images are acquired in slices, with each
slice representing a thin section of the imaged tissue. The slice gap is the distance
between the top of one slice and the bottom of the next slice. The choice of slice gap
depends on the imaging needs and the specific imaging protocol. A larger slice gap can
result in faster imaging times, but it may also result in missed or incomplete image
information between adjacent slices. A smaller slice gap can provide more complete
image information, but it may also result in longer imaging times.
The slice gap is often adjusted based on the body part being imaged, the desired spatial
resolution, and the specific imaging protocol. For example, a slice gap of 0-2mm may be
used in brain imaging to ensure that there is no missing information between slices, while
a larger slice gap of 5-10mm may be used in body imaging to reduce the imaging time.
Slice Gap = Slice Thickness + Gap between slices
where slice thickness is the thickness of the slices being acquired, and gap between slices
is the distance between the centers of adjacent slices. For example, if the slice thickness
is 5 mm and the gap between slices is 1 mm, then the Slice Gap would be:
Slice Gap = 5 mm + 1 mm = 6 mm
This means that there would be a 6 mm distance between the centers of adjacent slices
during the scan. The slice gap can affect the accuracy of the resulting MRI images, as
well as the amount of time required to acquire the data. A smaller slice gap may result in
higher accuracy but a longer scan time, while a larger slice gap may result in lower
accuracy but a shorter scan time. The optimal slice gap depends on the specific imaging
protocol and the clinical question being addressed.
Phase encoding:
Phase encoding is an MRI parameter that determines the position of each pixel in
the phase-encoding direction of an MRI image. In MRI, images are constructed from a
series of signals that are acquired through multiple steps. During the phase encoding
step, the magnetic field gradients are applied to the tissue being imaged in a direction
perpendicular to the frequency encoding direction. This results in each pixel having a
unique phase shift that corresponds to its position in the phase-encoding direction.
The choice of phase encoding parameters depends on the imaging needs and the specific
imaging protocol. The number of phase encoding steps determines the resolution of the
image in the phase-encoding direction, with more steps resulting in higher resolution but
also longer imaging times. The direction and orientation of the phase encoding gradient
also affects the image quality and should be chosen carefully based on the body part
being imaged and the desired spatial resolution.
The phase encoding is often adjusted based on the body part being imaged, the desired
spatial resolution, and the specific imaging protocol. During the imaging process, the
phase encoding is varied for each slice, resulting in a series of images that can be
combined to produce a full 3D volume of the imaged tissue.
PE = Gy * t
where PE is the phase encoding gradient, Gy is the strength of the gradient in the phase
encoding direction, and t is the duration of the gradient pulse. The phase encoding
gradient is one of the three magnetic field gradients used in MRI to encode spatial
information into the MRI signal. The strength and duration of the gradient determine the
position of the signal along the phase encoding direction, which is perpendicular to the
frequency encoding direction and the slice selection direction.
The phase encoding gradient is typically applied multiple times during an MRI sequence
to acquire data from different positions along the phase encoding direction. The total
number of phase encoding steps is determined by the resolution in the phase encoding
direction and the size of the field of view.
The formula for the total duration of the phase encoding gradient is:
TE = PE steps * PE dwell time
where TE is the total duration of the phase encoding gradient, PE steps is the number of
phase encoding steps, and PE dwell time is the time between phase encoding gradient
pulses. The duration of the phase encoding gradient affects the scan time and image
quality of the MRI, and it can be adjusted to optimize the balance between these factors
for a given imaging protocol.
Bandwidth:
Bandwidth is an MRI parameter that determines the range of frequencies that can
be detected during the imaging process.
In MRI, the magnetic field gradients are used to encode spatial information into the MRI
signal. The bandwidth of the MRI sequence determines the range of frequencies that can
be encoded into the signal, which affects the spatial resolution and SNR of the resulting
images. A higher bandwidth allows more frequencies to be detected, resulting in higher
spatial resolution and lower SNR. Conversely, a lower bandwidth allows fewer
frequencies to be detected, resulting in lower spatial resolution and higher SNR. The
choice of bandwidth depends on the imaging needs and the specific imaging protocol.
For example, a higher bandwidth may be used for imaging small structures with high
spatial resolution, while a lower bandwidth may be used for imaging large structures with
lower spatial resolution but higher SNR.
The bandwidth is often adjusted based on the body part being imaged, the desired spatial
resolution, and the specific imaging protocol. It is typically measured in Hertz (Hz) and
can be adjusted during the MRI sequence to optimize the image quality.
Bandwidth = Frequency Range / Number of Frequency Bins
where the frequency range is the range of frequencies being measured by the MRI
scanner and the number of frequency bins is the number of digital samples used to
represent the frequency range. The frequency range is determined by the strength of the
magnetic field used in the MRI and the type of imaging sequence being used. The number
of frequency bins is determined by the receiver bandwidth, which is a parameter that can
be set by the MRI operator.
For example, if the frequency range is 100 kHz and the number of frequency bins is 512,
then the bandwidth would be:
Bandwidth = 100 kHz / 512 = 195.3 Hz per frequency bin
This means that each frequency bin represents a range of 195.3 Hz, which determines
the level of frequency detail that can be detected in the MRI signal. The bandwidth can
be adjusted to optimize the SNR and spatial resolution of the resulting MRI images.
Conclusion:
MRI parameters play a critical role in optimizing MRI scans to achieve the best possible
image quality, tissue contrast, and functional information, while also ensuring patient
safety. MRI scanners can adjust various parameters, such as echo time (TE), repetition
time (TR), flip angle, and inversion time (TI), among others, to optimize the image
acquisition process. These adjustments can improve the image quality, make it easier to
interpret the images, and allow for the detection of smaller abnormalities. Moreover,
different MRI sequences can be combined to achieve optimal imaging results for specific
tissues, organs, or pathologies. Ultimately, proper selection and optimization of MRI
parameters can significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy and safety of MRI
examinations.
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