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Max-IDEAL: A max-flow based approach for IDEAL water/fat separation

Corresponding Author

Abraam S. Soliman

Biomedical Engineering, Western University, London, Canada

Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Canada

Correspondence to: Abraam S. Soliman, M.Sc., Biomedical Engineering Graduate Program, Natural Sciences Building, Room 9, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, London Ontario, Canada N6A 5B7. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Jing Yuan,

Jing Yuan

Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Canada

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Karl K. Vigen,

Karl K. Vigen

Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

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James A. White,

James A. White

Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Canada

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Canada

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Terry M. Peters,

Terry M. Peters

Biomedical Engineering, Western University, London, Canada

Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Canada

Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Canada

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Charles A. McKenzie,

Charles A. McKenzie

Biomedical Engineering, Western University, London, Canada

Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Canada

Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Canada

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Abraam S. Soliman,

Corresponding Author

Abraam S. Soliman

Biomedical Engineering, Western University, London, Canada

Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Canada

Jing Yuan,

Jing Yuan

Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Canada

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Karl K. Vigen,

Karl K. Vigen

Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA

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James A. White,

James A. White

Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Canada

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Canada

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Terry M. Peters,

Terry M. Peters

Biomedical Engineering, Western University, London, Canada

Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Canada

Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Canada

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Charles A. McKenzie,

Charles A. McKenzie

Biomedical Engineering, Western University, London, Canada

Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, Canada

Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Canada

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First published: 04 September 2013

https://doi.org/10.1002/mrm.24923

Citations: 18

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Abstract

Purpose

To propose a novel approach to water/fat separation using a unique smoothness constraint.

Theory and Methods

Chemical-shift based water/fat separation is an established noninvasive imaging tool for the visualization of body fat in various anatomies. Nevertheless, B0 magnetic field inhomogeneities can hamper the water/fat separation process. In this work, B0 variations are mapped using a convex-relaxed labeling model which produces a coarse estimate of the field map, while considering T₂* decay during the labeling process. Fat and water components are subsequently resolved using T₂*-IDEAL. An adaptive spatial filtering (ASF) was introduced to improve the robustness of the estimate. The method was tested on cardiac and abdominal datasets from healthy volunteers and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients.

Results

Out of 168 cardiac and abdominal images, only 1 case has shown water/fat swaps that can hinder the clinical interpretation of the underlying anatomy.

Conclusion

This work demonstrates a new water/fat separation approach that prevents the occurrence of water/fat swaps, by means of a unique smoothness constraint. Incorporating T₂* effect in the labeling procedure and including the ASF processing enhance the robustness of the proposed approach and permit the procedure to handle abrupt B0 variations within the field of view. Magn Reson Med 72:510–521, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Volume72, Issue2

August 2014

Pages 510-521

Max-IDEAL: A max-flow based approach for IDEAL water/fat separation

Abstract

Purpose

Theory and Methods

Results

Conclusion

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

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Max-IDEAL: A max-flow based approach for IDEAL water/fat separation

Abstract

Purpose

Theory and Methods

Results

Conclusion

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

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