Abstract
ObjectivesTo investigate acoustic noise reduction, image quality and white matter lesion detection rates of cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans acquired with and without sequence-based acoustic noise reduction software.Material and methodsThirty-one patients, including 18 men and 13 women, with a mean age of 58.3±14.5 years underwent cranial MRI. A fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequence was acquired with and without acoustic noise reduction using the Quiet Suite (QS) software (Siemens Healthcare). During data acquisition, peak sound pressure levels were measured with a sound level meter (Testo, Typ 815). In addition, two observers assessed subjective image quality for both sequences using a five-point scale (1 very good—5 inadequate). Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was measured for both sequences in the following regions: white matter, gray matter, and cerebrospinal fluid. Furthermore, lesion detection rates in white matter pathologies were evaluated by two observers for both sequences. Acoustic noise, image quality including SNR and white matter lesion detection rates were compared using the Mann-Whitney-U-test.ResultsPeak sound pressure levels were slightly but significantly reduced using QS, P≤0.017. Effective sound pressure, measured in Pascal, was decreased by 19.7%. There was no significant difference in subjective image quality between FLAIR sequences acquired without/with QS: observer 1: 2.03/2.07, P = 0.730; observer 2: 1.98/2.10, P = 0.362. In addition, SNR was significantly increased in white matter, P≤0.001, and gray matter, P = 0.006, using QS. The lesion detection rates did not decline utilizing QS: observer 1: P = 0.944 observer 2: P = 0.952.ConclusionsSequence-based noise reduction software such as QS can significantly reduce peak sound pressure levels, without a loss of subjective image quality and increase SNR at constant lesion detection rates.
Highlights
Overexposure to excessive acoustic noise may result in temporary or permanent noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). [1] magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition at 1.5 Tesla produces acoustic noise levels of nearly 120 dB(A)
There was no significant difference in subjective image quality between fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences acquired without/ with Quiet Suite (QS): observer 1: 2.03/2.07, P = 0.730; observer 2: 1.98/2.10, P = 0.362
Signal-tonoise ratio (SNR) was significantly increased in white matter, P 0.001, and gray matter, P = 0.006, using QS
Summary
Overexposure to excessive acoustic noise may result in temporary or permanent noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). [1] MRI acquisition at 1.5 Tesla produces acoustic noise levels of nearly 120 dB(A). [1] MRI acquisition at 1.5 Tesla produces acoustic noise levels of nearly 120 dB(A). These noise levels may cause serious acoustic inner ear damage and preclude certain patients, such as those with tinnitus, from having an MRI examination. Acoustic-noise-related stress is one of the most common complaints of patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). High acoustic stress levels during MR examinations may be a major cause of motion artifacts, leading to poor image quality and loss of diagnostic information. The gradient coil system is the most important source of acoustic noise. [5] Authors suggest that sequence-based approaches such as changes in sequence parameters or sequence type (e.g., spin echo versus gradient echo sequences) are considerably more expedient than hardware replacement for the purpose of acoustic noise reduction. The gradient coil system is the most important source of acoustic noise. [5] Authors suggest that sequence-based approaches such as changes in sequence parameters or sequence type (e.g., spin echo versus gradient echo sequences) are considerably more expedient than hardware replacement for the purpose of acoustic noise reduction. [5] Various manufacturers turn to sequence-based innovation management to decrease acoustic noise
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