Simulation of two‐dimensional tagged MRI

MR tagging is a recent imaging development that, in cardiac applications, makes possible the tracking of points in the myocardium during the cardiac cycle. Researchers have developed semiautomated, computer‐based methods for analyzing tagged images, but the images are complex and present a challenge to automated tracking systems. Simulation can provide an inexhaustible supply of images for testing and validation of tag tracking software and preview the effect of parameter changes in acquisition. SIMTAG is an interactive computer program that simulates two‐dimensional tagged‐MR experiments. The mathematic model used in the simulation and algorithms for simulating image noise and object deformation are described. Examples of the use of simulated images in SPAMM parameter selection, a comparison of tag contrast in signal‐averaged SPAMM and CSPAMM, and simulated images as test sets for tag‐tracking software are presented.

[1]  E R McVeigh,et al.  Impact of Semiautomated versus Manual Image Segmentation Errors on Myocardial Strain Calculation by Magnetic Resonance Tagging , 1994, Investigative radiology.

[2]  E. Zerhouni,et al.  Quantification of and Correction for Left Ventricular Systolic Long‐Axis Shortening by Magnetic Resonance Tissue Tagging and Slice Isolation , 1991, Circulation.

[3]  S. Maier,et al.  Improved myocardial tagging contrast , 1993, Magnetic resonance in medicine.

[4]  Dmitry B. Goldgof,et al.  Automatic tracking of SPAMM grid and the estimation of deformation parameters from cardiac MR images , 1994, IEEE Trans. Medical Imaging.

[5]  R. Henkelman.  Measurement of signal intensities in the presence of noise in MR images. , 1985, Medical physics.

[6]  P Boesiger,et al.  True myocardial motion tracking , 1994, Magnetic resonance in medicine.

[7]  L. Axel,et al.  Regional heart wall motion: two-dimensional analysis and functional imaging with MR imaging. , 1992, Radiology.

[8]  Jerry L. Prince,et al.  Motion estimation from tagged MR image sequences , 1992, IEEE Trans. Medical Imaging.

[9]  W. O'Dell,et al.  Calculation of three‐dimensional left ventricular strains from biplanar tagged MR images , 1992, Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI.

[10]  E. McVeigh,et al.  Tagged MR imaging in a deforming phantom: photographic validation. , 1994, Radiology.

[11]  D. Noll,et al.  Tracking of cyclic motion with phase‐contrast cine MR velocity data , 1995, Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI.

[12]  C. Higgins,et al.  Role of MR imaging in acquired and congenital cardiovascular disease. , 1993, AJR. American journal of roentgenology.

[13]  E. McVeigh,et al.  Tag contrast in breath‐hold CINE cardiac MRI , 1994, Magnetic resonance in medicine.

[14]  C. Thomsen.  “Chess-Board Pattern” Spatial Modulation of Magnetization , 1992, Acta radiologica.

[15]  C. Higgins,et al.  Interstudy reproducibility of dimensional and functional measurements between cine magnetic resonance studies in the morphologically abnormal left ventricle. , 1990, American heart journal.

[16]  L. Axel,et al.  Heart wall motion: improved method of spatial modulation of magnetization for MR imaging. , 1989, Radiology.

[17]  E. McVeigh,et al.  Noninvasive measurement of transmural gradients in myocardial strain with MR imaging. , 1991, Radiology.

[18]  R. Edelman,et al.  Cineangiography of the heart in a single breath hold with a segmented turboFLASH sequence. , 1991, Radiology.

[19]  E Tomei,et al.  Normal left ventricular dimensions and function: interstudy reproducibility of measurements with cine MR imaging. , 1990, Radiology.

[20]  J S Petersson,et al.  MRI simulation using the k-space formalism. , 1993, Magnetic resonance imaging.

[21]  A. Young,et al.  Validation of tagging with MR imaging to estimate material deformation. , 1993, Radiology.

[22]  Fred L. Bookstein,et al.  Principal Warps: Thin-Plate Splines and the Decomposition of Deformations , 1989, IEEE Trans. Pattern Anal. Mach. Intell..

[23]  I D Wilkinson,et al.  Measurement of regional left ventricular function using labelled magnetic resonance imaging. , 1991, The British journal of radiology.

[24]  W. O'Dell,et al.  Three-dimensional myocardial deformations: calculation with displacement field fitting to tagged MR images. , 1995, Radiology.

[25]  L. Axel,et al.  MR imaging of motion with spatial modulation of magnetization. , 1989, Radiology.

[26]  E. McVeigh,et al.  Cardiac Tagging with Breath‐Hold Cine MRI , 1992, Magnetic resonance in medicine.

[27]  A. Elster,et al.  Gradient-echo MR imaging: techniques and acronyms. , 1993, Radiology.

[28]  N B Ingels,et al.  Allograft Rejection , 2005 .

[29]  R A Robb,et al.  Interactive display and analysis of 3-D medical images. , 1989, IEEE transactions on medical imaging.

[30]  E. Zerhouni,et al.  Human heart: tagging with MR imaging--a method for noninvasive assessment of myocardial motion. , 1988, Radiology.

[31]  E. McVeigh.  MRI of myocardial function: motion tracking techniques. , 1996, Magnetic resonance imaging.

[32]  J W Covell,et al.  Relationship between Myocardial Fiber Direction and Segment Shortening in the Midwall of the Canine Left Ventricle , 1985, Circulation research.