Twofold improved tumor-to-brain contrast using a novel T1 relaxation-enhanced steady-state (T<sub>1</sub>RESS) MRI technique.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 33115747.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1126/sciadv.abd1635 and PMC identifier 7608787.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
A technique that provides more accurate cancer detection would be of great value. Toward this end, we developed T1 relaxation-enhanced steady-state (T<sub>1</sub>RESS), a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pulse sequence that enables the flexible modulation of T1 weighting and provides the unique feature that intravascular signals can be toggled on and off in contrast-enhanced scans. T<sub>1</sub>RESS makes it possible to effectively use an MRI technique with improved signal-to-noise ratio efficiency for cancer imaging. In a proof-of-concept study, "dark blood" unbalanced T<sub>1</sub>RESS provided a twofold improvement in tumor-to-brain contrast compared with standard techniques, whereas balanced T<sub>1</sub>RESS greatly enhanced vascular detail. In conclusion, T<sub>1</sub>RESS represents a new MRI technique with substantial potential value for cancer imaging, along with a broad range of other clinical applications.