Scan time minimization in hepatic diffusion-weighted imaging: evaluation of the simultaneous multislice acceleration technique with different acceleration factors and gradient preparation schemes

作者：Taron Jana; Martirosian Petros; Schwenzer Nina F; Erb Michael; Kuestner Thomas; Weiss Jakob; Othman Ahmed; Notohamiprodjo Mike; Nikolaou Konstantin; Schraml Christina^*

来源：Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics Biology and Medicine, 2016, 29(5): 739-749.

DOI：10.1007/s10334-016-0553-4

• Diffusion-weighted imaging
• Liver
• Simultaneous multislice
• Monopolar
• Bipolar
• Scan time minimization

To evaluate simultaneous multislice (sms) accelerated diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the liver in comparison to conventional sequences.
Ten volunteers underwent DWI of the liver at 1.5 T. Four different sms-accelerated sequences with monopolar and bipolar gradient preparation (MP, BP) and acceleration factors 2 and 3 (sms2-DWI, sms3-DWI) were compared to conventional DWI (c-DWI). Image quality criteria rated on a 5-point Likert scale (5 = excellent), image quality sum scores (maximum 120), and ADC were compared using Friedman test and Dunn-Bonferroni post hoc test. Bland-Altman plots were calculated for ADC comparison. p values < 0.05 were considered significant.
Sms2-DWI offered scan time minimization of 67 % without significant difference in image quality (sum score: sms2-DWI MP/BP: 97 +/- 8/92 +/- 9; c-DWI MP/BP: 99 +/- 8/97 +/- 8). Sms3-DWI offered slight additional scan time minimization with significantly inferior image quality (sum score: sms3-DWI MP/BP: 75 +/- 14/69 +/- 14; p < 0.001). MP preparation provided slightly higher image quality in sms-DWI without statistical significance. ADC in sms-DWI were significantly lower (sms2-DWI MP 1.01 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s; c-DWI MP 1.20 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s; p < 0.001).
Sms2-DWI provides considerable scan time minimization without significant shortcomings in image quality. Sms3-DWI provides significantly inferior image quality without further scan time minimization. Potentially lower ADC in sms-DWI should be considered in clinical routine.

• 出版日期2016-10