Susceptibility artifacts from metallic markers and cardiac catheterization devices on a high-performance 0.55 T MRI system

Burcu Basar; Merdim Sonmez; Dursun Korel Yildirim; Ram Paul; Daniel A Herzka; Ozgur Kocaturk; Robert J Lederman; Adrienne E Campbell-Washburn

doi:10.1016/j.mri.2020.12.002

Susceptibility artifacts from metallic markers and cardiac catheterization devices on a high-performance 0.55 T MRI system

Magn Reson Imaging. 2021 Apr:77:14-20. doi: 10.1016/j.mri.2020.12.002. Epub 2020 Dec 9.

Authors

Burcu Basar¹, Merdim Sonmez¹, Dursun Korel Yildirim², Ram Paul³, Daniel A Herzka¹, Ozgur Kocaturk², Robert J Lederman¹, Adrienne E Campbell-Washburn⁴

Affiliations

¹ Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
² Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey.
³ Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN, USA.
⁴ Cardiovascular Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. Electronic address: adrienne.campbell@nih.gov.

Abstract

Introduction: Visualization of passive devices during MRI-guided catheterizations often relies on a susceptibility artifact from the device itself or added susceptibility markers that impart a unique imaging signature. High-performance low field MRI systems offer reduced RF-induced heating of metallic devices during MRI-guided invasive procedures, but susceptibility artifacts are expected to diminish with field strength, reducing device visualization. In this study, field strength and orientation dependence of artifacts from susceptibility markers and metallic guidewires were evaluated using a prototype high-performance 0.55 T MRI system.

Materials and methods: Artifact volume from nitinol and stainless steel passive susceptibility markers was quantified using histogram analysis of pixel intensities from three-dimensional gradient echo images at 0.55 T, 1.5 T and 3 T. In addition, visibility of commercially available clinical catheterization devices was compared between 0.55 T and 1.5 T using real-time bSSFP in phantoms and in vivo.

Results: A low-tensile strength stainless-steel marker produced field strength- and orientation-dependent artifact size (1.7 cm³, 1.95 cm³, 2.21 cm³ at 0.55 T, 1.5 T, 3 T, respectively). Whereas, a high-tensile strength steel marker, of the same alloy, produced field strength- and orientation-independent artifact size (3.35 cm³, 3.41 cm³, 3.42 cm³ at 0.55 T, 1.5 T, 3 T, respectively). Visibility of commercially available nitinol guidewires was reduced at 0.55 T, but imaging signature could be maintained using high-susceptibility stainless steel markers.

Discussion and conclusion: High-susceptibility stainless-steel markers generate field-independent artifacts between 0.55 T, 1.5 T and 3 T, indicating magnetic saturation at fields <0.55 T. Thus, artifact size can be tailored such that interventional devices produce identical imaging signatures across field strengths.

Keywords: Interventional MRI; Low field; Passive markers; Susceptibility artifacts.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

Alloys
Artifacts*
Cardiac Catheterization / instrumentation*
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
Metals*
Phantoms, Imaging

Substances

Alloys
Metals

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding