Ferumoxytol-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging methodology and normal values at 1.5 and 3T

Stirrat, C. t. et al. (2016) Ferumoxytol-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging methodology and normal values at 1.5 and 3T. Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, 18(1), 46. (doi: 10.1186/s12968-016-0261-2) (PMID:27465647) (PMCID:PMC4964058)

Abstract

Background: Ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (USPIO)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect tissue-resident macrophage activity and identify cellular inflammation. Clinical studies using this technique are now emerging. We aimed to report a range of normal R2* values at 1.5 and 3 T in the myocardium and other tissues following ferumoxytol administration, outline the methodology used and suggest solutions to commonly encountered analysis problems. Methods: Twenty volunteers were recruited: 10 imaged each at 1.5 T and 3 T. T2* and late gadolinium enhanced (LGE) MRI was conducted at baseline with further T2* imaging conducted approximately 24 h after USPIO infusion (ferumoxytol, 4 mg/kg). Regions of interest were selected in the myocardium and compared to other tissues. Results: Following administration, USPIO was detected by changes in R2* from baseline (1/T2*) at 24 h in myocardium, skeletal muscle, kidney, liver, spleen and blood at 1.5 T, and myocardium, kidney, liver, spleen, blood and bone at 3 T (p < 0.05 for all). Myocardial changes in R2* due to USPIO were 26.5 ± 7.3 s-1 at 1.5 T, and 37.2 ± 9.6 s-1 at 3 T (p < 0.0001 for both). Tissues showing greatest ferumoxytol enhancement were the reticuloendothelial system: the liver, spleen and bone marrow (216.3 ± 32.6 s-1, 336.3 ± 60.3 s-1, 69.9 ± 79.9 s-1; p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p = ns respectively at 1.5 T, and 275.6 ± 69.9 s-1, 463.9 ± 136.7 s-1, 417.9 ± 370.3 s-1; p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p < 0.01 respectively at 3 T). Conclusion: Ferumoxytol-enhanced MRI is feasible at both 1.5 T and 3 T. Careful data selection and dose administration, along with refinements to echo-time acquisition, post-processing and analysis techniques are essential to ensure reliable and robust quantification of tissue enhancement.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Newby, Professor David and Petrie, Professor Mark and Gardner, Professor Roy
• Authors: Stirrat, C. t., Alam, S. R., MacGillivray, T. J., Gray, C. D., Forsythe, R., Dweck, M. R., Payne, J. R., Prasad, S. K., Petrie, M. C., Gardner, R. S., Mirsadraee, S., Henriksen, P. A., Newby, D. E., and Semple, S. I.K.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• ISSN: 1097-6647
• ISSN (Online): 1532-429X
• Published Online: 27 July 2016