Positive contrast visualization of iron oxide-labeled stem cells using inversion-recovery with ON-Resonant water suppression (IRON) MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE Stuber, M., Gilson, W. D., Schaer, M., Kedziorek, D. A., Hofmann, L. V., Shah, S., Vonken, E., Bulte, J. W., Kraitchman, D. L. 2007; 58 (5): 1072-1077

Abstract

In proton magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) metallic substances lead to magnetic field distortions that often result in signal voids in the adjacent anatomic structures. Thus, metallic objects and superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-labeled cells appear as hypointense artifacts that obscure the underlying anatomy. The ability to illuminate these structures with positive contrast would enhance noninvasive MR tracking of cellular therapeutics. Therefore, an MRI methodology that selectively highlights areas of metallic objects has been developed. Inversion-recovery with ON-resonant water suppression (IRON) employs inversion of the magnetization in conjunction with a spectrally-selective on-resonant saturation prepulse. If imaging is performed after these prepulses, positive signal is obtained from off-resonant protons in close proximity to the metallic objects. The first successful use of IRON to produce positive contrast in areas of metallic spheres and SPIO-labeled stem cells in vitro and in vivo is presented.

View details for DOI 10.1002/mrm.21399

View details for Web of Science ID 000250560000027

View details for PubMedID 17969120