Effects of Deep Learning-Based Reconstruction on the Quality of Accelerated Contrast-Enhanced Neck MRI

Abstract

Objective: To compare the quality of deep learning-reconstructed turbo spin-echo (DL-TSE) and conventionally interpolated turbo spin-echo (Conv-TSE) techniques in contrast-enhanced MRI of the neck.Materials and Methods: Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted DL-TSE and Conv-TSE images were acquired using 3T scanners from 106 patients.DL-TSE employed a closed-source, 'work-in-progress' (WIP No. 1062, iTSE, version 10; Siemens Healthineers) algorithm for interpolation and denoising to achieve the same in-plane resolution (axial: 0.26 x 0.26 mm 2 ; coronal: 0.29 x 0.29 mm 2 ) while reducing scan times by 15.9% and 52.6% for axial and coronal scans, respectively.The full width at half maximum (FWHM) and percent signal ghosting were measured using stationary and flow phantom scans, respectively.In patient images, non-uniformity (NU), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and regional mucosal FWHM were evaluated.Two neuroradiologists visually rated the patient images for overall quality, sharpness, regional mucosal conspicuity, artifacts, and lesions using a 5-point Likert scale.Results: FWHM in the stationary phantom scan was consistently sharper in DL-TSE.The percent signal ghosting outside the flow phantom was lower in DL-TSE (0.06% vs. 0.14%) but higher within the phantom (8.92% vs. 1.75%) compared to Conv-TSE.In patient scans, DL-TSE showed non-inferior NU and higher CNR.Regional mucosal FWHM was significantly better in DL-TSE, particularly in the oropharynx (coronal: 1.08 0.31 vs. 1.52 0.46 mm) and hypopharynx (coronal: 1.26 0.35 vs. 1.91 0.56 mm) (both P < 0.001).DL-TSE demonstrated higher overall image quality (axial: 4.61 0.49 vs. 3.32 0.54) and sharpness (axial: 4.40 0.56 vs. 3.11 0.53) (both P < 0.001).In addition, mucosal conspicuity was improved, especially in the oropharynx (axial: 4.41 0.67 vs. 3.40 0.69) and hypopharynx (axial: 4.45 0.58 vs. 3.58 0.63) (both P < 0.001).Extracorporeal ghost artifacts were reduced in DL-TSE (axial: 4.32 0.60 vs. 3.90 0.71, P < 0.001) but artifacts overlapping anatomical structures were slightly more pronounced (axial: 3.78 0.74 vs. 3.95 0.72, P < 0.001).Lesions were detected with higher confidence in DL-TSE.Conclusion: DL-based reconstruction applied to accelerated neck MRI improves overall image quality, sharpness, mucosal conspicuity in motion-prone regions, and lesion detection confidence.Despite more pronounced ghost artifacts overlapping anatomical structures, DL-TSE enables substantial scan time reduction while enhancing diagnostic performance.

Topics & Concepts