Verification of image quality improvement by deep learning reconstruction to 1.5T MRI in T2-weighted images of the prostate gland.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate whether the image quality of 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate is equal to or higher than that of 3T MRI by applying deep learning reconstruction (DLR). To objectively analyze the images from the 13 healthy volunteers, we measured the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the images obtained by the 1.5T scanner with and without DLR, as well as for images obtained by the 3T scanner. In the subjective, T2W images of the prostate were visually evaluated by two board-certified radiologists. The SNRs and CNRs in 1.5T images with DLR were higher than that in 3T images. Subjective image scores were better for 1.5T images with DLR than 3T images. The use of the DLR technique in 1.5T MRI substantially improved the SNR and image quality of T2W images of the prostate gland, as compared to 3T MRI.