Magnetic Susceptibility-Weighted MR Phase Imaging of the Human Brain

Minimum intensity projections over 4 sections of the magnitude data (A), the corresponding high-pass filtered phase images (B), and a reproduction from an anatomic atlas for comparison (C). In the phase image (B) the capsula interna, capsula externa, putamen, nucleus caudatus, corpus callosum and the claustrum are better visualized than in the magnitude image (A). Also improved is the contrast between gray and white matter. The ventricles are not easily visible in the phase images due to the fact that the magnetic susceptibility of CSF and brain tissue is very similar. TR = 67, TE = 40, α = 25°, FOV = 256 × 256 × 192 mm³, matrix = 512 × 256 × 96, w = 21. (Image C is reproduced with permission from Putz/Pabst: Sobotta, Atlas der Anatomie des Menschen, 21. Auflage 2000, Elsevier GmbH, Urban & Fischer Verlag München, Jena.)

Minimum intensity projections over 4 sections of magnitude image (A), the corresponding high-pass filtered phase images (B), and a reproduction from an anatomic atlas (C). In the phase image (B) the caudate nucleus, the putamen, the globus pallidus, and the thalamus with parts of the thalamostriate veins, amongst other features, can be identified. TR = 67 ms, TE = 40 ms, α = 25°, FOV = 256 × 256 × 96 mm³, matrix = 512 × 256 × 96, w = 21. (Image C is reproduced with permission from Putz/Pabst: Sobotta, Atlas der Anatomie des Menschen, 21. Auflage 2000, Elsevier GmbH, Urban & Fischer Verlag München-Jena.)

Magnitude image (A), a mIP over 5 sections from the phase images (B) and a reproduction from an anatomic atlas. The red nuclei, the substantia nigra, the crus cerebri and venous vessels are displayed well in the phase image. The medullary lamellae in the red nuclei can be clearly identified. TR = 67 ms, TE = 40 ms, α = 25°, FOV = 256 × 256 × 96 mm³, matrix = 512 × 256 × 96, w = 21. (Image C is reproduced with permission from Putz/Pabst: Sobotta, Atlas der Anatomie des Menschen, 21. Auflage 2000, Elsevier GmbH, Urban & Fischer Verlag München-Jena.)