Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging  2016;20(1):36-43

doi:10.13104/imri.2016.20.1.36

Non-Invasive in vivo Loss Tangent Imaging: Thermal Sensitivity Estimation at the Larmor Frequency.

Narae CHOI 1 ; Min Oh KIM ; Jaewook SHIN ; Joonsung LEE ; Dong Hyun KIM

Affiliations

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Keywords

Dielectric property imaging; Loss tangent imaging; MREPT; Hyperthermia; Thermal sensitivity

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

Visualization of the tissue loss tangent property can provide distinct contrast and offer new information related to tissue electrical properties. A method for non-invasive imaging of the electrical loss tangent of tissue using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was demonstrated, and the effect of loss tangent was observed through simulations assuming a hyperthermia procedure. For measurement of tissue loss tangent, radiofrequency field maps (B1+ complex map) were acquired using a double-angle actual flip angle imaging MRI sequence. The conductivity and permittivity were estimated from the complex valued B1+ map using Helmholtz equations. Phantom and ex-vivo experiments were then performed. Electromagnetic simulations of hyperthermia were carried out for observation of temperature elevation with respect to loss tangent. Non-invasive imaging of tissue loss tangent via complex valued B1+ mapping using MRI was successfully conducted. Simulation results indicated that loss tangent is a dominant factor in temperature elevation in the high frequency range during hyperthermia. Knowledge of the tissue loss tangent value can be a useful marker for thermotherapy applications.