Clinical quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM): Biometal imaging and its emerging roles in patient care.

Publication Type Review
Authors Wang Y, Spincemaille P, Liu Z, Dimov A, Deh K, Li J, Zhang Y, Yao Y, Gillen K, Wilman A, Gupta A, Tsiouris A, Kovanlikaya I, Chiang G, Weinsaft J, Tanenbaum L, Chen W, Zhu W, Chang S, Lou M, Kopell B, Kaplitt M, Devos D, Hirai T, Huang X, Korogi Y, Shtilbans A, Jahng G, Pelletier D, Gauthier S, Pitt D, Bush A, Brittenham G, Prince M
Journal J Magn Reson Imaging
Volume 46
Issue 4
Pagination 951-971
Date Published 03/10/2017
ISSN 1522-2586
Keywords Artifacts, Contrast Media, Image Enhancement, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Metals
Abstract UNLABELLED: Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) has enabled magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of tissue magnetic susceptibility to advance from simple qualitative detection of hypointense blooming artifacts to precise quantitative measurement of spatial biodistributions. QSM technology may be regarded to be sufficiently developed and validated to warrant wide dissemination for clinical applications of imaging isotropic susceptibility, which is dominated by metals in tissue, including iron and calcium. These biometals are highly regulated as vital participants in normal cellular biochemistry, and their dysregulations are manifested in a variety of pathologic processes. Therefore, QSM can be used to assess important tissue functions and disease. To facilitate QSM clinical translation, this review aims to organize pertinent information for implementing a robust automated QSM technique in routine MRI practice and to summarize available knowledge on diseases for which QSM can be used to improve patient care. In brief, QSM can be generated with postprocessing whenever gradient echo MRI is performed. QSM can be useful for diseases that involve neurodegeneration, inflammation, hemorrhage, abnormal oxygen consumption, substantial alterations in highly paramagnetic cellular iron, bone mineralization, or pathologic calcification; and for all disorders in which MRI diagnosis or surveillance requires contrast agent injection. Clinicians may consider integrating QSM into their routine imaging practices by including gradient echo sequences in all relevant MRI protocols. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 5 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:951-971.
DOI 10.1002/jmri.25693
PubMed ID 28295954
PubMed Central ID PMC5592126
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