Deep learning–based acceleration of Compressed Sense MR imaging of the ankle

• DOI: 10.1007/s00330-022-08919-9
• Publication Date: 2022-06-25T05:07:54Z
• Authors: Sarah C. Foreman; Jan Neumann; Jessie Han; Norbert Harrasser; Kilian Weiss; Johannes M. Peeters; Dimitrios C. Kara...; Marcus R. Makowski; Alexandra S. Gersing; Klaus Woertler
• Keywords: Acceleration; Signal-To-Noise Ratio; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; ddc:; 03 medical and health sciences; Deep Learning; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; 0302 clinical medicine; Artificial Intelligence; Musculoskeletal; Humans; Musculoskeletal ; Ankle ; MRI ; Deep learning ; Compressed Sense; Prospective Studies; Ankle; Artifacts

Abstract Objectives To evaluate a compressed sensing artificial intelligence framework (CSAI) to accelerate MRI acquisition of the ankle.

Methods Thirty patients were scanned at 3T. Axial T2-w, coronal T1-w, and coronal/sagittal intermediate-w scans with fat saturation were acquired using compressed sensing only (12:44 min, CS), CSAI with an acceleration factor of 4.6–5.3 (6:45 min, CSAI2x), and CSAI with an acceleration factor of 6.9–7.7 (4:46 min, CSAI3x). Moreover, a high-resolution axial T2-w scan was obtained using CSAI with a similar scan duration compared to CS. Depiction and presence of abnormalities were graded. Signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise were calculated. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Cohen’s kappa were used to compare CSAI with CS sequences.

Results The correlation was perfect between CS and CSAI2x (κ = 1.0) and excellent for CS and CSAI3x (κ = 0.86–1.0). No significant differences were found for the depiction of structures between CS and CSAI2x and the same abnormalities were detected in both protocols. For CSAI3x the depiction was graded lower (p ≤ 0.001), though most abnormalities were also detected. For CSAI2x contrast-to-noise fluid/muscle was higher compared to CS (p ≤ 0.05), while no differences were found for other tissues. Signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise were higher for CSAI3x compared to CS (p ≤ 0.05). The high - resolution axial T2-w sequence specifically improved the depiction of tendons and the tibial nerve (p ≤ 0.005).

Conclusions Acquisition times can be reduced by 47% using CSAI compared to CS without decreasing diagnostic image quality. Reducing acquisition times by 63% is feasible but should be reserved for specific patients. The depiction of specific structures is improved using a high-resolution axial T2-w CSAI scan.

Key Points • Prospective study showed that CSAI enables reduction in acquisition times by 47% without decreasing diagnostic image quality. • Reducing acquisition times by 63% still produces images with an acceptable diagnostic accuracy but should be reserved for specific patients. • CSAI may be implemented to scan at a higher resolution compared to standard CS images without increasing acquisition times.