Three‐dimensional brain MRI for DBS patients within ultra‐low radiofrequency power limits. Issue 4 (17th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sarkar, Subhendra N.; Papavassiliou, Efstathios; Hackney, David B.; Alsop, David C.; Shih, Ludy C.; Madhuranthakam, Ananth J.; Busse, Reed F.; La, Susan; Bhadelia, Rafeeque A.
• Is Part Of: Movement disorders. Volume 29:Issue 4(2014)
• Page Start: 546
• Page End: 549
• Publication Date: 2014-01-17
• Subjects: Movement disorders -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1002/mds.25808
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-3185

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec id="mds25808-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>For patients with deep brain stimulators (DBS), local absorbed radiofrequency (RF) power is unknown and is much higher than what the system estimates. We developed a comprehensive, high‐quality brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol for DBS patients utilizing three‐dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance sequences at very low RF power.</p> </sec> <sec id="mds25808-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Six patients with DBS were imaged (10 sessions) using a transmit/receive head coil at 1.5 Tesla with modified 3D sequences within ultra‐low specific absorption rate (SAR) limits (0.1 W/kg) using T<sub>2</sub>, fast fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and T<sub>1</sub>‐weighted image contrast. Tissue signal and tissue contrast from the low‐SAR images were subjectively and objectively compared with routine clinical images of six age‐matched controls.</p> </sec> <sec id="mds25808-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Low‐SAR images of DBS patients demonstrated tissue contrast comparable to high‐SAR images and were of diagnostic quality except for slightly reduced signal.</p> </sec> <sec id="mds25808-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Although preliminary, we demonstrated diagnostic quality brain MRI with optimized, volumetric sequences in DBS patients within very conservative RF safety guidelines offering a greater safety margin. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society</p> </sec> </abstract>