Assessment of Image Quality for Optimal MRI Diagnostic Device Applied to Parameter Changes with 3D FRE at 1.5 T and 3.0 T

Background Synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which can generate multiple morphologic MR images as well as quantitative maps from a single sequence, is not widely used in the spine at 3.0 T. Purpose To investigate the feasibility of synthetic MRI of the lumbar spine in clinical practice at 3.0 T. Material and Methods Eighty-four patients with lumbar diseases underwent conventional T1-weighted images, T2-weighted images, short-tau inversion recovery (STIR) images, and synthetic MRI of the lumbar spine at 3.0 T. The quantitative and qualitative image quality and agreement for detection of spinal lesions between conventional and synthetic MRI were compared by two radiologists. Results The signal-to-noise ratios of synthetic MRI showed an inferior image quality in the vertebrae and disc, whereas were higher for spinal canal and fat on the synthetic T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and STIR images. The contrast-to-noise ratios of the synthetic MRI was superior to conventional sequences, except for the vertebrae–disc contrast-to-noise ratio on T1-weighted imaging ( P = 0.005). Image quality assessments showed that synthetic MRI had greater STIR fat suppression ( P < 0.001) and fluid brightness ( P = 0.014), as well as higher degree of artifacts ( P < 0.001) and worse spatial resolution ( P = 0.002). The inter-method agreements for detection of spinal lesions were substantial to perfect (kappa, 0.614–0.925). Conclusion Synthetic MRI is a feasible method for lumbar spine imaging in a clinical setting at 3.0-T MR. It provides morphologic sequences with acceptable image quality, good agreement with conventional MRI for detection of spinal lesions and quantitative image maps with a slightly shorter acquisition time compared with conventional MRI.

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Improved fat-suppression homogeneity with mDIXON turbo spin echo (TSE) in pediatric spine imaging at 3.0 T

Acta Radiologica ◽

10.1177/0284185117690424 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 58 (11) ◽

pp. 1386-1394 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Amber L Pokorney ◽

Jonathan M Chia ◽

Cory M Pfeifer ◽

Jeffrey H Miller ◽

Houchun H Hu

Keyword(s):

Image Quality ◽

Spin Echo ◽

Fat Suppression ◽

Diagnostic Image Quality ◽

Pediatric Spine ◽

Turbo Spin Echo ◽

Diagnostic Image ◽

Turbo Spin ◽

Spine Imaging ◽

3.0 T

Background Robust fat suppression remains essential in clinical MRI to improve tissue signal contrast, minimize fat-related artifacts, and enhance image quality. Purpose To compare fat suppression between mDIXON turbo spin echo (TSE) and conventional frequency-selective and inversion-recovery methods in pediatric spine MRI. Material and Methods Images from T1-weighted (T1W) and T2-weighted (T2W) TSE sequences coupled with conventional methods and the mDIXON technique were compared in 36 patients (5.8 ± 5.4 years) at 3.0 T. Images from 42 pairs of T1W (n = 16) and T2W (n = 26) scans were acquired. Two radiologists reviewed the data and rated images using a three-point scale in two categories, including the uniformity of fat suppression and overall diagnostic image quality. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to compare the scores. Results The Cohen’s kappa coefficient for inter-rater agreement was 0.69 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56–0.83). Images from mDIXON TSE were considered superior in fat suppression ( P < 0.01) in 22 (rater 1) and 25 (rater 2) cases, respectively. In 13 (rater 1) and 11 (rater 2) cases, mDIXON TSE demonstrated improved diagnostic image quality ( P < 0.01). In three cases, fat suppression was superior using inversion-recovery and likewise in one case mDIXON had poorer image diagnostic quality. Lastly, mDIXON and conventional fat-suppression methods performed similarly in 17 (rater 1) and 14 (rater 2) cases, and yielded equal diagnostic image quality in 28 (rater 1) and 30 (rater 2) cases. Conclusion Robust fat suppression can be achieved with mDixon TSE pediatric spine imaging at 3.0 T and should be considered as a permanent replacement of traditional methods, in particular frequency-selective techniques.

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