Phantom comparison for MRI quality control tests according to manufacturers and national standards

Abstract

Quality control tests are mandatory and essential to monitor Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment. These assist in determining improper functioning or parameters below established reference levels. The objective of this study was to perform quality control tests in magnetic resonance imaging equipment and to compare their methodology with both FLUKE and KONEX phantoms. Different protocols were used for their evaluation, including the American Association of Physics in Medicine, the American College of Radiologists, and the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency. In this study, we demonstrated the results for the most critical tests: slice thickness accuracy, slice position accuracy, high-contrast spatial resolution, low-contrast resolution, magnetic field, and slice thickness uniformity. The results are that, although both phantom objects are efficient for carrying out the tests required in Brazilian regulations, the KONEX phantom consumes less time, as it requires less to image all its structures. The FLUKE phantoms need a longer acquisition time to obtain all test structures and object images. Nevertheless, the results obtained in both are within limits required by Brazilian regulations and limits suggested by the manufacturers' manuals. This work is expected to be a basis for other physicians and services using similar phantoms.