|
OVERVIEW
The MRI community has shown a great variety of benefits that can be
obtained when collecting data along non-Cartesian trajectories (e.g.
radial and spiral MRI), such as decreased scan time, insensitivity to
motion and displacement, and reduction of minimum TE. Despite these
potential advantages, the adoption of these methods in clinical settings
has been slow. This workshop will explore the dichotomy between the
known promise of non-Cartesian methods and their current scarcity in
clinical MRI. It will specifically explore the weaknesses of
non-Cartesian methods, how to measure and characterize them, and methods
(both available and necessary to develop) to overcome them. The
conference will focus less on “what’s new and great”, and more on
“what’s bad and how do we fix it?”
In addition to
invited scientific presentations, the program will include proffered
papers and poster presentations. A unique feature of this workshop will
be the availability of synthesized and real non-Cartesian data, from
which registrants may submit reconstructed images for review by a panel
of radiologists. This will include a discussion of quantitative metrics
for specific image qualities (e.g. resolution, aliasing) as well as
metrics for overall image quality, and a “live” comparison of these
metrics with invited radiologists, all to promote discussion of what is
considered a “good” image. Finally, the conference will provide a
great deal of time for small-group interaction in addition to the very
informative and engaging sessions that are planned.
EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
Upon Completing this workshop, participants should be able to:
- Give examples of different non-Cartesian trajectories
- Describe the advantages that may be obtained through the use of
non-Cartesian methods
- Define the sources of error that can corrupt images from non-Cartesian
methods
- Discuss the basic methodology of reconstruction for non-Cartesian data
- Describe the concepts of undersampling, parallel imaging, and
aliasing, as they apply to non-Cartesian MRI.
AUDIENCE DESCRIPTION
The audience will consist primarily of engineers, scientists, and
clinicians who have an interest in understanding, implementing and
refining Non-Cartesian methods in MRI. These will include people with a
good understanding of MRI (e.g. the basics of k-space, eddy currents,
motion artifacts), and who may or may not be familiar with non-Cartesian
trajectories for data collection. Participants will come from both
academic and industrial settings, as well as governmental and
non-governmental research organizations. Particular efforts will be made
to encourage the attendance of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows,
and residents through stipends.
PRELIMINARY SESSIONS PLANNED
1. The case for and against non-Cartesian MRI
2. Methods and Errors in Non-Cartesian Scanning
3. Standardization and Adoption Principles
4. Trajectory Design
5. Alternatives to Gridding Reconstruction
6. Submitted reconstructions, and Radiologist review.
7. Beyond the Nyquist Limit; undersampling and parallel imaging
 |
|
~ 
