A novel approach to evaluate spatial resolution of MRI clinical images for optimization and standardization of breast screening protocols

Influence of half Fourier and elliptical scanning (radial scan) on magnetic resonance images

This study aimed to investigate the effect of using slice partial Fourier (SPF), phase partial Fourier (PPF), and radial scan (Elliptical scanning) methods on image quality. Changes in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), effective slice thickness, and in-plane resolution were measured in 3D-gradient echo when SPF, PPF, and radial scan were used. Effective slice thickness increased and SNR increased when SPF was used; in-plane resolution decreased and SNR decreased when PPF was used; effective slice thickness did not change, in-plane resolution decreased, and SNR increased when the radial scan method was used. The radial scan method reduces image quality and imaging time compared to those in the SPF and PPF methods.

Novel method for evaluating spatial resolution of magnetic resonance images

Recently, several methods for evaluating the spatial resolution of magnetic resonance imaging have been reported. However, these methods are not simple and can only be used for specific devices. In this study, we develop a new method (the ladder method) and evaluate its measurement accuracy by adapting the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) method to evaluate the spatial resolution. First, the suitable condition for the ladder method was determined by numerical experiments. The ladder method uses a phantom with a periodic pattern which is based on IEC method. Subsequently, the ladder method is evaluated in terms of spatial resolution by dividing the standard deviation (SD) by the average signal in the region of interest (ROI) on the ladder phantom image. To evaluate the precision of the ladder method, it is compared with the modulation transfer function (MTF) calculated from an edge image. The numerical experiment result shows that the evaluation of the spatial resolution using the ladder method is viable, in which a single regression analysis's coefficient of correlation between ladder and MTF of 0.90 or higher is obtained for all evaluations. The ladder method can be assessed using only the signal mean value and SD in the ROI on the target image and exhibit a strong correlation with the MTF. Therefore, the ladder method is a promising method as a substitute for the MTF.

[Verification of "IEC 62464-12007": The Evaluation Method of Spatial Resolution in MRI]

Recently, many methods are suggested to evaluate spatial resolution in MRI. However, those techniques are not simple and easy. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) recommends a method to evaluate spatial resolution using a periodic pattern image as IEC 62464-1. IEC 62464-1 prescribes specifications and placement of phantom, and a method of analysis, but these details grounds are not clear. A purpose of this study is to examine the effect in each factor of IEC 62464-1 method and define the characteristics of this method. Nine phantoms with different plate thickness were made including prescribed specifications of IEC 62464-1. Imaging was conducted with changing the placement angle of these phantoms. Also, analysis was carried out in region of interest (ROI) of three different size. As a result, the placement angle of the phantom, measurement error was <1% on a condition prescribed by a method of IEC 62464-1. There was not the effect if the transverse diameter for the longitudinal diameter exceeded 100% fort the size of ROI. In specifications of the phantom, there was not the dependence for the thickness of the plate of the phantom in IEC 62464-1 prescribes.

MRI quality assurance based on 3D FLAIR brain images

OBJECTIVE

Quality assurance (QA) of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) often relies on imaging phantoms with suitable structures and uniform regions. However, the connection between phantom measurements and actual clinical image quality is ambiguous. Thus, it is desirable to measure objective image quality directly from clinical images.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this work, four measurements suitable for clinical image QA were presented: image resolution, contrast-to-noise ratio, quality index and bias index. The methods were applied to a large cohort of clinical 3D FLAIR volumes over a test period of 9.5 months. The results were compared with phantom QA. Additionally, the effect of patient movement on the presented measures was studied.

RESULTS

A connection between the presented clinical QA methods and scanner performance was observed: the values reacted to MRI equipment breakdowns that occurred during the study period. No apparent correlation with phantom QA results was found. The patient movement was found to have a significant effect on the resolution and contrast-to-noise ratio values.

DISCUSSION

QA based on clinical images provides a direct method for following MRI scanner performance. The methods could be used to detect problems, and potentially reduce scanner downtime. Furthermore, with the presented methodologies comparisons could be made between different sequences and imaging settings. In the future, an online QA system could recognize insufficient image quality and suggest an immediate re-scan.