Address reprint requests to: K.C., Department of Radiology, Center for MR Research, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60612. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Alessandro Scotti MS,

Alessandro Scotti MS

Department of Radiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, USA

Center for MR Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, USA

Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, USA

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Rong-Wen Tain PhD,

Rong-Wen Tain PhD

Department of Radiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, USA

Center for MR Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, USA

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Weiguo Li PhD,

Weiguo Li PhD

Research Resources Center, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, USA

Department of Radiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA

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Victoria Gil MS,

Victoria Gil MS

Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, USA

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Chong Wee Liew PhD,

Chong Wee Liew PhD

Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, USA

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Kejia Cai PhD,

Corresponding Author

Kejia Cai PhD

[email protected]

Department of Radiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, USA

Center for MR Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, USA

First published: 17 November 2017

https://doi.org/10.1002/jmri.25890

Citations: 15

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Abstract

Background

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) has a great relevance in metabolic diseases and has been shown to be reduced in obesity and insulin resistance patients. Currently, Dixon MRI is used to calculate fat-water fraction (FWF) and differentiate BAT from white adipose tissue (WAT). However, it may fail in areas of phase wrapping and introduce fat-water swapping artifacts.

Purpose

To investigate the capacity of the Z-spectrum imaging (ZSI) for the identification of BAT in vivo.

Study Type

Retrospective study. Specimens: WAT, BAT, and lean tissue from healthy mice. Animals: Four C57BL/6 healthy mice. Population: Five healthy volunteers.

Field Strength

9.4T, 3T for volunteers.

Sequence

Z-Spectra data were fitted to a model with three Lorentzian peaks reflecting the direct saturation of tissue water (W) and methylene fat (F), and the magnetization transfer from the semi-solid tissues. The peak amplitudes of water and fat were used to map the FWF. The novel FWF metric was calibrated with an oil and water mixture phantom and validated in specimens, mice and human subjects.

Assessmemt

FWF distribution was compared with published works and values compared with Dixon's MRI results.

Statistical Tests

Comparisons were performed by t-tests.

Results

ZSI clearly differentiated WAT, BAT, and lean tissues by having FWF = 1, 0.5, and 0, respectively. Calibration with oil mixture phantoms revealed a linear relationship between FWF and the actual fat fraction (R² = 0.98). In vivo experiments in mice confirmed in vitro results by showing FWF = 0.6 in BAT. FWF maps of human subjects showed the same FWF distribution as Dixon's MRI (P > 0.05). ZSI is independent from B₀ field inhomogeneity and fat-water swapping because both lipid and water frequency offsets are determined simultaneously during Z-spectral fitting.

Data Conclusion

ZSI can derive artifact-free FWF maps, which can be used to identify BAT distribution in vivo noninvasively.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1527–1533.

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Citing Literature

Volume47, Issue6

June 2018

Pages 1527-1533

Mapping brown adipose tissue based on fat water fraction provided by Z-spectral imaging

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Study Type

Field Strength

Sequence

Assessmemt

Statistical Tests

Results

Data Conclusion

References

Citing Literature

References

Information

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Mapping brown adipose tissue based on fat water fraction provided by Z-spectral imaging

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Study Type

Field Strength

Sequence

Assessmemt

Statistical Tests

Results

Data Conclusion

References

Citing Literature

References

Related

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