AI-augmented reconstruction provides improved image quality and enables shorter breath-holds in contrast-enhanced liver MRI.
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Embargo End Date
ICR Authors
Authors
Castagnoli, F
Rata, M
Shur, J
Hopkinson, G
Macdonald, A
Stockton, D
Nickel, MD
Kannengiesser, S
Messiou, C
Koh, D-M
Winfield, JM
Rata, M
Shur, J
Hopkinson, G
Macdonald, A
Stockton, D
Nickel, MD
Kannengiesser, S
Messiou, C
Koh, D-M
Winfield, JM
Document Type
Journal Article
Date
2025-05-01
Date Accepted
2025-04-02
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To compare liver image quality and lesion detection using an AI-augmented T1-weighted sequence on hepatobiliary-phase gadoxetate-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Fifty patients undergoing gadoxetate-enhanced MRI were recruited. Two T1-weighted Dixon sequences were utilized: a 17-s breath-hold acquisition and an accelerated 12-s breath-hold acquisition (reduced phase resolution), both reconstructed using neural network (NN) and iterative denoising (ID), NN-alone, ID-alone, and the standard method. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was assessed quantitatively for all series (ANOVA). Two blinded radiologists independently analyzed three image sets: 17-s acquisition reconstructed with NN and ID (17-s NN + ID), 12-s acquisition reconstructed with NN and ID (12-s NN + ID), and 17-s acquisition with standard reconstruction (17-s standard). Overall image quality, qualitative CNR, lesion edge sharpness, vessel edge sharpness, and respiratory motion artifacts were scored (4-point Likert scale) and compared (Friedman test). Lesion detection was compared between 12-s NN + ID and 17-s standard reconstructions (Wilcoxon signed-rank test). RESULTS: Quantitative liver-to-portal vein CNR was significantly higher for 17-s NN + ID than 17-s standard or 17-s NN-alone images (p = 0.001). Scores for overall image quality, qualitative CNR, vessel edge sharpness, and lesion edge sharpness were significantly higher for 17-s NN + ID and 12-s NN + ID than standard reconstruction (p < 0.001); there was no significant difference between 17-s and 12-s NN + ID. There was no significant difference in respiratory motion artifacts and number of lesions or diameter of the smallest detected lesion using 12-s NN + ID or 17-s standard reconstruction. CONCLUSION: AI-augmented reconstructions can improve image quality while reducing breath-hold duration in T1-weighted hepatobiliary-phase gadoxetate-enhanced MRI, without compromising lesion detection. RELEVANCE STATEMENT: AI-augmented reconstruction of T1-weighted MRI improves image quality and lesion detection in hepatobiliary phase liver imaging, reducing breath-hold duration without compromising clinical lesion detection. KEY POINTS: Liver-to-portal vein CNR was significantly higher for 17-s NN + ID. AI-augmented reconstructions scored higher for image quality, contrast-to-noise, vessel-edge, and lesion-edge sharpness. No significant difference in lesion detection between 12-s NN + ID and 17-s standard reconstructions.
Citation
European Radiology Experimental, 2025, 9 (1), pp. 46 -
Source Title
European Radiology Experimental
Publisher
SPRINGER WIEN
ISSN
2509-9280
eISSN
2509-9280
Collections
Research Team
Magnetic Resonance
Appl Phys in Clinical MRI
Appl Phys in Clinical MRI