Motion and magnetic field inhomogeneity correction techniques for chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI: A contemporary review

Simegn GL, Sun PZ, Zhou J, Kim M, Reddy R, Zu Z, Zaiß M, Yadav NN, Edden RA, van Zijl PC, Knutsson L (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

NMR in Biomedicine Wiley

DOI: 10.1002/nbm.5294

Abstract

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as a powerful imaging technique sensitive to tissue molecular composition, pH, and metabolic processes in situ. CEST MRI uniquely probes the physical exchange of protons between water and specific molecules within tissues, providing a window into physiological phenomena that remain invisible to standard MRI. However, given the very low concentration (millimolar range) of CEST compounds, the effects measured are generally only on the order of a few percent of the water signal. Consequently, a few critical challenges, including correction of motion artifacts and magnetic field (B0 and B1+) inhomogeneities, have to be addressed in order to unlock the full potential of CEST MRI. Motion, whether from patient movement or inherent physiological pulsations, can distort the CEST signal, hindering accurate quantification. B0 and B1+ inhomogeneities, arising from scanner hardware imperfections, further complicate data interpretation by introducing spurious variations in the signal intensity. Without proper correction of these confounding factors, reliable analysis and clinical translation of CEST MRI remain challenging. Motion correction methods aim to compensate for patient movement during (prospective) or after (retrospective) image acquisition, reducing artifacts and preserving data quality. Similarly, B0 and B1+ inhomogeneity correction techniques enhance the spatial and spectral accuracy of CEST MRI. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the current landscape of motion and magnetic field inhomogeneity correction methods in CEST MRI. The methods discussed apply to saturation transfer (ST) MRI in general, including semisolid magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) and relayed nuclear Overhauser enhancement (rNOE) studies.

Authors with CRIS profile

Moritz Zaiß Professur für Multimodale Bildgebung in der klinischen Forschung

Involved external institutions

Johns Hopkins Hospital US United States (USA) (US) University College London (UCL) GB United Kingdom (GB) University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) US United States (USA) (US) Vanderbilt Eye Institute US United States (USA) (US) Emory University US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Simegn, G.L., Sun, P.Z., Zhou, J., Kim, M., Reddy, R., Zu, Z.,... Knutsson, L. (2024). Motion and magnetic field inhomogeneity correction techniques for chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI: A contemporary review. NMR in Biomedicine. https://doi.org/10.1002/nbm.5294

MLA:

Simegn, Gizeaddis Lamesgin, et al. "Motion and magnetic field inhomogeneity correction techniques for chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI: A contemporary review." NMR in Biomedicine (2024).

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