Lipid and iron quantification using a multi-step adaptive fitting method using multi-echo magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for quantifying fat and iron in anatomical tissue includes acquiring a plurality of multi-echo signal datasets representative of the anatomical tissue using a magnetic resonance (MR) pulse sequence. A plurality of multi-echo signal datasets are selected from the plurality of multi-echo signal datasets and used to determine a first water magnitude value and a first fat magnitude value. In response to determining that the multi-echo signal datasets include at least three multi-echo datasets, a first stage analysis is performed. This first stage analysis comprises selecting a first effective transverse relaxation rate value. Next, first algorithm inputs comprising the first water magnitude value, the first fat magnitude value, and the first effective transverse relation rate value are created. Then, a non-linear fitting algorithm is performed based on the first algorithm inputs to calculate a second water magnitude value, a second fat magnitude value, and a second effective transverse relaxation rate value. A first proton density fat fraction value is then determined based on the second water magnitude value and the second fat magnitude value.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims priority to US Provisional Application Serial No. 61 / 722,278, filed November 5, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. technical field [0003] The present disclosure generally relates to methods, systems and devices for quantifying fat and iron using a multi-step, adaptive fitting method utilizing multi-echo magnetic resonance imaging. The disclosed methods, systems and devices are applicable, for example, in diagnosing and quantifying diseases, such as hepatic steatosis. Background technique [0004] Many diseases may increase fat or iron deposits in tissues compared to the normal state. For example, hepatic steatosis is indicative of liver disease, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, relative to liver disease. Furthermore, increased iron deposition is associated with chronic viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Outside...

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Problems solved by technology

However, when fat is present, T is directly measured by this method due to the effect of fat 2 / T * 2 or R 2 / R * 2 is problematic

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