Accelerating Knee MRI: 3D Modulated Flip-Angle Technique in Refocused Imaging with an Extended Echo Train and Compressed Sensing

Overview

Journal J Pain Res

Publisher Dove Medical Press

Date 2022 Mar 4

PMID 35241934

Authors

He Sui

Jin Li

Lin Liu

Zhongwen Lv

Yunfei Zhang

Yongming Dai

Zhanhao Mo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: The three-dimensional (3D) sequence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a critical role in the imaging of musculoskeletal joints; however, its long acquisition time limits its clinical application. In such conditions, compressed sensing (CS) is introduced to accelerate MRI in clinical practice. We aimed to investigate the feasibility of an isotropic 3D variable-flip-angle fast spin echo (FSE) sequence with CS technique (CS-MATRIX) compared to conventional 2D sequences in knee imaging.

Methods: Images from different sequences of both the accelerated CS-MATRIX and the corresponding conventional acquisitions were prospectively analyzed and compared. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the structures within the knees were measured for quantitative analysis. The subjective image quality and diagnostic agreement were compared between CS-MATRIX and conventional 2D sequences. Quantitative and subjective image quality scores were statistically analyzed with the paired -test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test, respectively. Diagnostic agreements of knee substructure were assessed using Cohen's weighted kappa statistic.

Results: For quantitative analysis, images from the CS-MATRIX sequence showed a significantly higher SNR than T2-fs 2D sequences for visualizing cartilage, menisci, and ligaments, as well as a higher SNR than proton density (pd) 2D sequences for visualizing menisci and ligaments. There was no significant difference between CS-MATRIX and 2D T2-fs sequences in subjective image quality assessment. The diagnostic agreement was rated as moderate to very good between CS-MATRIX and 2D sequences.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the feasibility and clinical potential of the CS-MATRIX sequence technique for detecting knee lesions The CS-MATRIX sequence allows for faster knee imaging than conventional 2D sequences, yielding similar image quality to 2D sequences.

Citing Articles

AI-assisted accelerated MRI of the ankle: clinical practice assessment.

Zhao Q, Xu J, Yang Y, Yu D, Zhao Y, Wang Q Eur Radiol Exp. 2023; 7(1):62.

PMID: 37857868 PMC: 10587051. DOI: 10.1186/s41747-023-00374-5.

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