GE Healthcare has received FDA clearance for its revolutionary MAGiC (MAGnetic resonance image Compilation) multi-contrast MRI technique, which allows the user to generate multiple image contrasts in a single scan. With conventional MRI imaging generating these contrasts takes a separate scan lasting several minutes for each type of contrast. MAGiC greatly decreases the amount of time needed for image acquisition by combining them all in one scan that lasts only a little longer than each one of the conventional scans. MAGiC was developed in collaboration with SyntheticMR AB of Sweden and was first showcased by GE almost two years ago when it was still pending clearance.
MAGiC is a software-based technique consisting of acquisition and post-processing steps. It does its magic by utilizing a multi-delay, multi-echo acquisition sequence. The acquired data is post-processed to generate multiple image contrasts simultaneously, such as T1, T2, PD, and Inversion Recovery (IR) weighted images, and including T1-FLAIR, T2-FLAIR, STIR, Double IR and PSIR weighted images. When reading the images, the radiologist can change the contrast by manipulating parameters such as TR, TE, and TI using the mouse cursor, much like adjusting the window and level settings on a CT. As an added advantage, parametric maps for tissue values like T1, T2 and PD can be generated. Because all the different image contrasts are acquired from the same acquisition, image slice registration is perfect.
The FDA approval is based on a blinded multi-center, multi-reader clinical study comparing MAGiC to conventional scanning at both 1.5T and 3.0T field strength. MAGiC and conventional images from 109 patients at six institutions were evaluated by seven readers, and results confirmed that image quality of MAGiC was comparable to conventional images at a fraction of the scan time. For now, MAGiC is indicated for brain MRIs, but as these make up for about one-third of all clinical MRI examinations, time and cost savings can be substantial and of course shorter scans result in improved patient comfort.
MAGiC is available on GE’s Optima MR450, Optima MR450w, Discovery MR750, Discovery MR750w, SIGNA Pioneer MRI scanners.
Flashback: GE SIGNA Pioneer with MAGiC Reduces MRI Acquisition Time by Two-Thirds
Press release: MAGiC: Industry-First, Multi-Contrast MRI Saves on Scan Time…
Product page: MAGiC GE…