Scholarlink

Background <p>Deep learning (DL) reconstructions have shown utility for improving image quality of abdominal MRI in adult patients, but a paucity of literature exists in children.</p> Objective <p>To compare image quality between three-dimensional fast spoiled gradient echo (SPGR) abdominal MRI acquisitions reconstructed conventionally and using a prototype method based on a commercial DL algorithm in a pediatric cohort.</p> Materials and methods <p>Pediatric patients (age &lt; 18&#xa0;years) who underwent abdominal MRI from 10/2023–3/2024 including gadolinium-enhanced accelerated 3D SPGR 2-point Dixon acquisitions (LAVA-Flex, GE HealthCare) were identified. Images were retrospectively generated using a prototype reconstruction method leveraging a commercial deep learning algorithm (AIR™ Recon DL, GE HealthCare) with the 75% noise reduction setting. For each case/reconstruction, three radiologists independently scored DL and non-DL image quality (overall and of selected structures) on a 5-point Likert scale (1-nondiagnostic, 5-excellent) and indicated reconstruction preference. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and mean number of edges (inverse correlate of image sharpness) were also quantified. Image quality metrics and preferences were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank, Fisher exact, and paired <i>t</i>-tests. Interobserver agreement was evaluated with the Kendall rank correlation coefficient (<i>W</i>).</p> Results <p>The final cohort consisted of 38 patients with mean ± standard deviation age of 8.6 ± 5.7&#xa0;years, 23 males. Mean image quality scores for evaluated structures ranged from 3.8 ± 1.1 to 4.6 ± 0.6 in the DL group, compared to 3.1 ± 1.1 to 3.9 ± 0.6 in the non-DL group (all <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001). All radiologists preferred DL in most cases (32–37/38, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001). There were a 2.3-fold increase in SNR and a 3.9% reduction in the mean number of edges in DL compared to non-DL images (both <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001). In all scored anatomic structures except the spine and non-DL adrenals, interobserver agreement was moderate to substantial (<i>W</i> = 0.41–0.74, all <i>P</i> &lt; 0.01).</p> Conclusion <p>In a broad spectrum of pediatric patients undergoing contrast-enhanced Dixon abdominal MRI acquisitions, the prototype deep learning reconstruction is generally preferred to conventional methods with improved image quality across a wide range of structures.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Deep learning reconstruction for improving image quality of pediatric abdomen MRI using a 3D T1 fast spoiled gradient echo acquisition

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月18日

查看全文
  • Evan J. Zucker,
  • Eugene Milshteyn,
  • Fedel A. Machado-Rivas,
  • Leo L. Tsai,
  • Nathan T. Roberts,
  • Arnaud Guidon,
  • Michael S. Gee,
  • Teresa Victoria

摘要

Background

Deep learning (DL) reconstructions have shown utility for improving image quality of abdominal MRI in adult patients, but a paucity of literature exists in children.

Objective

To compare image quality between three-dimensional fast spoiled gradient echo (SPGR) abdominal MRI acquisitions reconstructed conventionally and using a prototype method based on a commercial DL algorithm in a pediatric cohort.

Materials and methods

Pediatric patients (age < 18 years) who underwent abdominal MRI from 10/2023–3/2024 including gadolinium-enhanced accelerated 3D SPGR 2-point Dixon acquisitions (LAVA-Flex, GE HealthCare) were identified. Images were retrospectively generated using a prototype reconstruction method leveraging a commercial deep learning algorithm (AIR™ Recon DL, GE HealthCare) with the 75% noise reduction setting. For each case/reconstruction, three radiologists independently scored DL and non-DL image quality (overall and of selected structures) on a 5-point Likert scale (1-nondiagnostic, 5-excellent) and indicated reconstruction preference. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and mean number of edges (inverse correlate of image sharpness) were also quantified. Image quality metrics and preferences were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank, Fisher exact, and paired t-tests. Interobserver agreement was evaluated with the Kendall rank correlation coefficient (W).

Results

The final cohort consisted of 38 patients with mean ± standard deviation age of 8.6 ± 5.7 years, 23 males. Mean image quality scores for evaluated structures ranged from 3.8 ± 1.1 to 4.6 ± 0.6 in the DL group, compared to 3.1 ± 1.1 to 3.9 ± 0.6 in the non-DL group (all P < 0.001). All radiologists preferred DL in most cases (32–37/38, P < 0.001). There were a 2.3-fold increase in SNR and a 3.9% reduction in the mean number of edges in DL compared to non-DL images (both P < 0.001). In all scored anatomic structures except the spine and non-DL adrenals, interobserver agreement was moderate to substantial (W = 0.41–0.74, all P < 0.01).

Conclusion

In a broad spectrum of pediatric patients undergoing contrast-enhanced Dixon abdominal MRI acquisitions, the prototype deep learning reconstruction is generally preferred to conventional methods with improved image quality across a wide range of structures.

Graphical Abstract