Meeting Banner
Abstract #0829

Improved Quantitative Diffusion in Fetal Lungs with Multiecho EPI Distortion and Motion Correction

Liam Timms1, Mustafa Utkur1, Ali Gholipour1, Ryne A. Didier1, Alireza A. Shamshirsaz2, Sila Kurugol1, and Onur Afacan1
1Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States, 2Maternal Fetal Care Center, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States

Synopsis

Keywords: Fetal, Fetus, fetal lung, diffusion, distortion correction

Motivation: Accurately assessing fetal lung maturity and development with quantitative diffusion parameters could guide critical care for at-risk fetuses, but has been severely limited by artifacts.

Goal(s): Develop an MRI technique to enable reliable diffusion imaging of fetal lungs.

Approach: Investigated a multi-echo spin echo sequence to provide motion/distortion correction.

Results: The technique improved lung analysis, in particular, resulting in more consistent ADC fitting. The method also increased the geometric fidelity of the diffusion image with structural images.

Impact: This work demonstrates a novel MRI technique to enable reliable diffusion imaging of fetal lungs, overcoming current barriers of motion and artifacts. Improving lung maturity assessment during pregnancy has the potential to transform care for at-risk fetuses through earlier interventions.

How to access this content:

For one year after publication, abstracts and videos are only open to registrants of this annual meeting. Registrants should use their existing login information. Non-registrant access can be purchased via the ISMRM E-Library.

After one year, current ISMRM & ISMRT members get free access to both the abstracts and videos. Non-members and non-registrants must purchase access via the ISMRM E-Library.

After two years, the meeting proceedings (abstracts) are opened to the public and require no login information. Videos remain behind password for access by members, registrants and E-Library customers.

Click here for more information on becoming a member.

Keywords