Analytical Techniques for Post-Imaging Evaluation of NMR Tissue Contrast

Computational techniques allow the simulation of NMR images as well as the construction of tools for evaluating the impact of changing parameters. Use of these tools assumes the acquisition of a minimal set of patient data from which the tissue properties T1, T2 and hydrogen density H, can be taken. Changes in technique, imaging parameters such as TE, TR or TI, and field can be simulated and examined individually as well as concurrently for their effects on the contrast between a lesion and its surrounding tissue. This evaluation is done by plotting the absolute difference in signal intensities as a function of the imaging parameters of the technique. Retrospective calculations of intensity images at new values of the pulse timing parameters may show improved diagnostic utility.