Model-based super-resolution reconstruction for pseudo-continuous Arterial Spin Labeling

NeuroImage, vol. 286, pp. 120506

Abstract

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is a promising, non-invasive perfusion magnetic resonance imaging technique for quantifying cerebral blood flow (CBF). Unfortunately, ASL suffers from an inherently low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spatial resolution, undermining its potential. Increasing spatial resolution without significantly sacrificing SNR or scan time represents a critical challenge towards routine clinical use. In this work, we propose a model-based super-resolution reconstruction (SRR) method with joint motion estimation that breaks the traditional SNR/resolution/scan-time trade-off. From a set of differently oriented 2D multi-slice pseudo-continuous ASL images with a low through-plane resolution, 3D-isotropic, high resolution, quantitative CBF maps are estimated using a Bayesian approach. Experiments on both synthetic whole brain phantom data, and on in vivo brain data, show that the proposed SRR Bayesian estimation framework outperforms state-of-the-art ASL quantification.

Authors 7

1. Quinten Beirinckx corresponding

   University of Antwerp

   Affiliation as printed

   imec-Vision Lab, Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

   imec-Vision Lab, Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

   μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

2. Piet Bladt

   University of Antwerp

   Affiliation as printed

   imec-Vision Lab, Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

   imec-Vision Lab, Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

   μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

3. Merlijn C. E. van der Plas Aachen C.J. Gorter MRI Center Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   C.J. Gorter MRI Center, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

4. Matthias J.P. van Osch Aachen C.J. Gorter MRI Center Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   C.J. Gorter MRI Center, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands

5. Ben Jeurissen

   University of Antwerp

   Affiliation as printed

   imec-Vision Lab, Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Lab for Equilibrium Investigations and Aerospace, Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

   Lab for Equilibrium Investigations and Aerospace, Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

   imec-Vision Lab, Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

   μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

6. Arnold Jan den Dekker

   University of Antwerp

   Affiliation as printed

   imec-Vision Lab, Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

   imec-Vision Lab, Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

   μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

7. Jan Sijbers

   University of Antwerp

   Affiliation as printed

   imec-Vision Lab, Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. Electronic address: jan.sijbers@uantwerpen.be

   imec-Vision Lab, Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

   μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium