Contrast-optimized composite image derived from multigradient echo cardiac magnetic resonance imaging improves reproducibility of myocardial contours and T2* measurement.
Pandji Triadyaksa, Astri Handayani, Hildebrand Dijkstra, Kadek Y E Aryanto, Gert Jan Pelgrim, Xueqian Xie, Tineke P Willems, Niek H J Prakken, Matthijs Oudkerk, Paul E Sijens
Author Information
Pandji Triadyaksa: Center for Medical Imaging-North East Netherlands, EB45, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands. p.triadyaksa@umcg.nl.
Astri Handayani: Center for Medical Imaging-North East Netherlands, EB45, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Hildebrand Dijkstra: Center for Medical Imaging-North East Netherlands, EB45, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Kadek Y E Aryanto: Center for Medical Imaging-North East Netherlands, EB45, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Gert Jan Pelgrim: Center for Medical Imaging-North East Netherlands, EB45, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Xueqian Xie: Center for Medical Imaging-North East Netherlands, EB45, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Tineke P Willems: Department of Radiology, EB45, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Niek H J Prakken: Center for Medical Imaging-North East Netherlands, EB45, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Matthijs Oudkerk: Center for Medical Imaging-North East Netherlands, EB45, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Paul E Sijens: Center for Medical Imaging-North East Netherlands, EB45, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, PO Box 30001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.
OBJECTIVES: Reproducibility of myocardial contour determination in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is important, especially when determining T2* values per myocardial segment as a prognostic factor of heart failure or thalassemia. A method creating a composite image with contrasts optimized for drawing myocardial contours is introduced and compared with the standard method on a single image. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 short-axis slices from bright-blood multigradient echo (MGE) T2* scans of 21 patients were acquired at eight echo times. Four observers drew free-hand myocardial contours on one manually selected T2* image (method 1) and on one image composed by blending three images acquired at TEs providing optimum contrast-to-noise ratio between the myocardium and its surrounding regions (method 2). RESULTS: Myocardial contouring by method 2 met higher interobserver reproducibility than method 1 (P < 0.001) with smaller Coefficient of variance (CoV) of T2* values in the presence of myocardial iron accumulation (9.79 vs. 15.91%) and in both global myocardial and mid-ventricular septum regions (12.29 vs. 16.88 and 5.76 vs. 8.16%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The use of contrast-optimized composite images in MGE data analysis improves reproducibility of myocardial contour determination, leading to increased consistency in the calculated T2* values enhancing the diagnostic impact of this measure of iron overload.
