On the influence of zero-padding on the nonlinear operations in Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping.

TitleOn the influence of zero-padding on the nonlinear operations in Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsEskreis-Winkler S, Zhou D, Liu T, Gupta A, Gauthier SA, Wang Y, Spincemaille P
JournalMagn Reson Imaging
Volume35
Pagination154-159
Date Published2017 Jan
ISSN1873-5894
KeywordsAdult, Aged, Algorithms, Brain, Evaluation Studies as Topic, Female, Humans, Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Multiple Sclerosis, Reproducibility of Results, Retrospective Studies
Abstract

PURPOSE: Zero padding is a well-studied interpolation technique that improves image visualization without increasing image resolution. This interpolation is often performed as a last step before images are displayed on clinical workstations. Here, we seek to demonstrate the importance of zero padding before rather than after performing non-linear post-processing algorithms, such as Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM). To do so, we evaluate apparent spatial resolution, relative error and depiction of multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions on images that were zero padded prior to, in the middle of, and after the application of the QSM algorithm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: High resolution gradient echo (GRE) data were acquired on twenty MS patients, from which low resolution data were derived using k-space cropping. Pre-, mid-, and post-zero padded QSM images were reconstructed from these low resolution data by zero padding prior to field mapping, after field mapping, and after susceptibility mapping, respectively. Using high resolution QSM as the gold standard, apparent spatial resolution, relative error, and image quality of the pre-, mid-, and post-zero padded QSM images were measured and compared.

RESULTS: Both the accuracy and apparent spatial resolution of the pre-zero padded QSM was higher than that of mid-zero padded QSM (p<0.001; p<0.001), which was higher than that of post-zero padded QSM (p<0.001; p<0.001). The image quality of pre-zero padded reconstructions was higher than that of mid- and post-zero padded reconstructions (p=0.004; p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Zero padding of the complex GRE data prior to nonlinear susceptibility mapping improves image accuracy and apparent resolution compared to zero padding afterwards. It also provides better delineation of MS lesion geometry, which may improve lesion subclassification and disease monitoring in MS patients.

DOI10.1016/j.mri.2016.08.020
Alternate JournalMagn Reson Imaging
PubMed ID27587225
PubMed Central IDPMC5160043
Grant ListR01 CA181566 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States
R01 EB013443 / EB / NIBIB NIH HHS / United States
R01 NS072370 / NS / NINDS NIH HHS / United States
S10 OD021782 / OD / NIH HHS / United States

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