Data Format Standardization and DICOM Integration for Hyperpolarized C MRI.

Hyperpolarized (HP) C MRI has shown promise as a valuable modality for in vivo measurements of metabolism and is currently in human trials at 15 research sites worldwide. With this growth, it is important to adopt standardized data storage practices as it will allow sites to meaningfully compare data. In this paper, we (1) describe data that we believe should be stored and (2) demonstrate pipelines and methods that utilize the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard.

Metabolite-Specific Echo Planar Imaging for Preclinical Studies with Hyperpolarized C-Pyruvate MRI.

Metabolite-specific echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequences with spectral-spatial (spsp) excitation are commonly used in clinical hyperpolarized [1-C]pyruvate studies because of their speed, efficiency, and flexibility. In contrast, preclinical systems typically rely on slower spectroscopic methods, such as chemical shift imaging (CSI). In this study, a 2D spspEPI sequence was developed for use on a preclinical 3T Bruker system and tested on in vivo mice experiments with patient-derived xenograft renal cell carcinoma (RCC) or prostate cancer tissues implanted in the kidney or liver.