Clinical evaluation of single-shot and readout-segmented diffusion-weighted imaging in stroke patients at 3 T

Morelli, J. et al. (2013) Clinical evaluation of single-shot and readout-segmented diffusion-weighted imaging in stroke patients at 3 T. Acta Radiologica, 54(3), pp. 299-306. (doi: 10.1258/ar.2012.120541) (PMID:23319722)

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Abstract

Background: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is most commonly performed utilizing a single-shot echo-planar imaging technique (ss-EPI). Susceptibility artifact and image blur are severe when this sequence is utilized at 3 T. Purpose: To evaluate a readout-segmented approach to DWI MR in comparison with single-shot echo planar imaging for brain MRI. Material and Methods: Eleven healthy volunteers and 14 patients with acute and early subacute infarctions underwent DWI MR examinations at 1.5 and 3T with ss-EPI and readout-segmented echo-planar (rs-EPI) DWI at equal nominal spatial resolutions. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) calculations were made, and two blinded readers ranked the scans in terms of high signal intensity bulk susceptibility artifact, spatial distortions, image blur, overall preference, and motion artifact. Results: SNR and CNR were greatest with rs-EPI (8.1±0.2 SNR vs. 6.0±0.2; P <10-4 at 3T).Spatial distortions were greater with single-shot (0.23±0.03 at 3T; P <0.001) than with rs-EPI (0.12±0.02 at 3T).Combined with blur and artifact reduction, this resulted in a qualitative preference for the readout-segmented scans overall. Conclusion: Substantial image quality improvements are possible with readout-segmented vs. single-shot EPI - the current clinical standard for DWI - regardless of field strength (1.5 or 3 T). This results in improved image quality secondary to greater real spatial resolution and reduced artifacts from susceptibility in MR imaging of the brain

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Porter, Professor David
Authors: Morelli, J., Porter, D., Ai, F., Gerdes, C., Saettele, M., Feiweier, T., Padua, A., Dix, J., Marra, M., Rangaswamy, R., and Runge, V.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
Journal Name:Acta Radiologica
Publisher:SAGE
ISSN:0284-1851
ISSN (Online):1600-0455
Published Online:01 April 2013

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