DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/TC3G-P346
Defense Date
2021
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Biomedical Engineering
First Advisor
Dr. Jennifer Jordan
Second Advisor
Dr. John Wilson
Third Advisor
Dr. Jordana Kron
Abstract
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is a preferred imaging methodology due to its lack of ionizing radiation and ability to detect myocardial inflammation and fibrosis using quantitative T1 mapping techniques. Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is characterized as the formation of granulomas in the myocardium. Current methods for detection include measuring non-cardiac specific C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, or PET imaging, which uses ionizing radiation, therefore CMR would make an ideal imaging option. However, many CS patients have implanted cardiac devices which can cause degradation in image. The modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) method is widely used in quantitative T1 mapping with high precision but low accuracy and susceptibility to artifact. Newer methods like saturation recovery single-shot acquisition (SASHA) may be less susceptible to field inhomogeneities but have yet to be compared directly to MOLLI in CS patients with implanted devices. T1-values can further be affected by how the signal data is compiled, or their readout. Common readouts include balanced steady-state free precession (TRUFI) and fast low angle shot (FLASH).
First, SASHA sequences provided more consistent images that can be used for diagnostic purposes while MOLLI varied between extreme image quality categories. Finally, SASHA techniques in general show lower variability while GRE readouts suggest higher reproducibility between multiple scans. Through this sub-analysis study, SASHA TRUFI, MOLLI TRUFI, SASHA FLASH, and MOLLI FLASH sequences were optimized to move forward with primary studies of CS patients in the MRI field.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
8-12-2021