Imaging of nigrosome 1 in substantia nigra at 3T using multiecho susceptibility map‐weighted imaging (SMWI). Issue 2 (11th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nam, Yoonho; Gho, Sung‐Min; Kim, Dong‐Hyun; Kim, Eung Yeop; Lee, Jongho
• Is Part Of: Journal of magnetic resonance imaging. Volume 46:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 528
• Page End: 536
• Publication Date: 2016-11-11
• Subjects: Parkinson's disease -- magnetic resonance imaging -- quantitative susceptibility mapping -- nigrosome 1 -- substantia nigra -- iron deposition; Magnetic resonance imaging -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1002/jmri.25553
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1053-1807

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: To enhance the visibility of nigrosome 1 in substantia nigra, which has recently been suggested as an imaging biomarker for Parkinson's disease (PD) at 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: The substantia nigra structure was visualized at 3T MRI using multiecho susceptibility map‐weighted imaging (SMWI) in 15 healthy volunteers and 6 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The visibility of nigrosome 1 was further enhanced by acquiring data in an oblique‐coronal imaging plane at a high spatial resolution (0.5 × 0.5 × 1.0 mm 3 ). To compare the visibility, the contrast‐to‐noise ratios (CNR) of the nigrosome 1 structure relative to the neighboring substantia nigra structure were evaluated in the SMWI and other conventional susceptibility contrast images (magnitude, frequency, quantitative susceptibility map [QSM] and susceptibility‐weighted image). Results: In healthy volunteers, the CNRs of the nigrosome 1 structure were 1.04 ± 0.38, 0.84 ± 0.32, 1.04 ± 0.40, 0.86 ± 0.41, and 1.45 ± 0.48 for magnitude, frequency, quantitative susceptibility map, susceptibility‐weighted image, and SMWI, respectively. Compared to conventional susceptibility contrast images, the SMWI method significantly improved the CNR of nigrosome 1 ( P = 0.014 for magnitude, P = 0.030 for QSM, and P < 0.001 for frequency and SWI, respectively). The magnetic susceptibility difference between nigrosome 1 and neighboring substantia nigra structures was 0.037 ± 0.016 ppm (measured in QSM, P < 0.001) in healthy volunteers. In the PD patients, the visibility of the nigrosome 1 structures was reduced. Conclusion: The SMWI method enhances the visibility of nigrosome 1 structures at 3T MRI when compared to conventional susceptibility contrast images. Level of Evidence: 3 Technical Efficacy : Stage 2 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;46:528–536