Evaluation of Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping Methods for Cerebral Cavernous Malformation in Mice at 9.4T

Motivation: While GRE and SWI are the primary methods for identifying iron deposition in cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM), improved preclinical lesion characterization can be achieved by using Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM). Goal(s): Our goal was to introduce the use of QSM in a preclinical CCM model and evaluate the impact of the different QSM methods available. Approach: 8 healthy mice and 13 CCM mice were scanned using a multi-gradient echo and images were processed through each QSM method then compared using RMSE. Results: Each QSM method displayed large susceptibilities in areas suspected of CCM lesions. Impact: The addition of QSM for preclinical CCM may benefit longitudinal analysis. By establishing the use of QSM and further development in QSM calibration with ex vivo studies, QSM can be used for tracking CCM lesion progression noninvasively.