A fast, vendor-neutral protocol for multi-center, multi-parametric quantitative MRI studies in brain tumor patients

Motivation: Multi-centric multi-parametric quantitative MRI (mp-qMRI) studies require short and vendor-neutral protocols. Goal(s): The goal was to develop and validate an 8-minute, vendor-neutral protocol for multi-center mp-qMRI studies on brain tumor patients at 3T. Approach: 5 Volunteers were measured at two scanners. Application of the proposed method was demonstrated for one brain metastasis patient, where artefact free qMRI maps were obtained. Results: qMRI maps (T1, T2*, PD and QSM) obtained from 5 volunteers on two scanners showed a very good reproducibility. Among the parameters, PD yielded the lowest COV. Artefact free qMRI maps are demonstrated in a brain metastasis patient. Impact: We propose an 8-minute, vendor-neutral mp-qMRI protocol for 3T studies in brain tumor patients. T1, T2*, PD and QSM maps are demonstrated in 5 healthy volunteers and one brain metastsis patient. Multi-centric qMRI studies could use this fast mp-qMRI protocol.