Abstract

BackgroundNewly developed simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) scans are now being introduced as a clinical application in neuroimaging. We examined the feasibility of SMS scans for joint imaging. The purpose of the present study was to prospectively compare the resolution and specific absorption rate (SAR) obtained using SMS to those of conventional methods in hip joint magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and establish whether imaging times may be reduced using SMS in 3 T MRI and if image quality is affected.MethodsTwenty-one patients (4 men and 17 women, average age, 51.5 years, range: 22 to 76 years) with hip pain underwent MR examinations of the unilateral hip joint. Three board-certified radiologists independently and blindly evaluated the images obtained with and without SMS using window and level settings and magnification according to personal preferences. Individual SAR values were measured for each protocol. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test and a t-statistic test were used for statistical analyses. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was also compared using a phantom.ResultsSMS imaging maintained equivalent image quality to conventional imaging for evaluating the morphology of the hip joint, and also reduced imaging times by approximately 40%. SMS images had significantly higher SAR values than conventional images. The rate of difference (SMS/conventional) in SNR ranged between 80 and 111%.ConclusionsBased on its significantly lower acquisition times and the maintenance of similar image quality to conventional imaging, SMS may be applied to morphological evaluations of hip joint disorders without significantly increasing SAR.

Highlights

  • Developed simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) scans are being introduced as a clinical application in neuroimaging

  • The following imaging times were obtained with SMS: proton-density weighted (PDW) 2 min 22 s, T1W 2 min 17 s, and fat-saturated T2weighted (FS-T2W) 2 min 56 s (Table 1)

  • No significant differences were observed in image quality for labrum PDW and cartilage T1W and FS-T2W between conventional and SMS images

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Summary

Introduction

Developed simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) scans are being introduced as a clinical application in neuroimaging. The purpose of the present study was to prospectively compare the resolution and specific absorption rate (SAR) obtained using SMS to those of conventional methods in hip joint magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and establish whether imaging times may be reduced using SMS in 3 T MRI and if image quality is affected. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with high tissue contrast is essential for diagnostic imaging of the hip joint [1]. MRI with a high magnetic field strength and phased array coil provides a higher signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) and enables thin-sliced images to be obtained while maintaining high spatial resolution. Simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) imaging is a method that reduces the scan time of 2D imaging by simultaneously exciting several slices [5, 6]. Since the information obtained on simultaneously excited slices is superimposed in the MR signal received, it is divided into each

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