Practical Considerations for DECOMPOSE-QSM in the Human Brain

Motivation: DECOMPOSE-QSM is a susceptibility source separation method that has the potential for many clinical applications. However, its sensitivity to input QSM acquisition parameters and reconstruction method, and its repeatability are unknown. Goal(s): To investigate the performance and repeatability of DECOMPOSE-QSM with QSM calculated using various acquisition schemes and multiple dipole inversion methods. Approach: Eight different QSM dipole-inversion methods were used as inputs for DECOMPOSE-QSM. Multi-echo GRE were acquired with different protocols to evaluate reproducibility and sensitivity to the acquisition. Results: We reduced susceptibility contrast differences from different QSM methods by normalizing input susceptibilities. DECOMPOSE-QSM results were repeatable across different subjects. Impact: We showed that, with normalization, inputting QSM from different inversion methods yields similar DECOMPOSE-QSM separation maps and that this technique is reproducible. Taking into account its sensitivity to different acquisition parameters will facilitate further clinical applications of DECOMPOSE-QSM.