Image quality assessment of single-shot turbo spin echo diffusion-weighted imaging with parallel imaging technique: a phantom study.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the image quality and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of single-shot turbo spin echo (TSE) diffusion-weighted (DW) images obtained using a parallel imaging (PI) technique.

METHODS

All measurements were performed on a 3.0-T whole-body MRI system and 32-channel phased-array coil. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and ADC values were measured with a DW imaging (DWI) phantom comprising granulated sugar and agar. The SNRs were calculated using a subtraction method and compared among TSE-DW images at acceleration factors (AFs) of 1-4. Image blur was visually assessed on TSE-DW images of a pin phantom at AFs of 1-4. The ADC values were calculated using DW images with b = 0 and 1000 s mm(-2). The ADC values of TSE-DW images and echo-planar imaging EPI-DW images were compared.

RESULTS

The SNRs decreased as AFs increased, despite selecting the shortest echo time. A lower AF caused increased image blur in the phase-encoding direction. The ADC values of TSE-DWI tended to be lower than those of EPI-DWI, and AFs of 3 and 4 yielded variable ADC values on TSE-DW images.

CONCLUSION

TSE-DWI with an AF of 3 or 4 yielded reduced SNRs; in addition, the image noise and artefacts associated with PI technique may have affected ADC measurements, despite improving image blur in the phase-encoding direction.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Optimizing the imaging parameters of TSE-DWI is useful for providing good image quality and accurate ADC measurements.