Taotao Sun1, Ling Jiang2, Zhongshuai Zhang3, Chen Zhang4, He Zhang5, Guangbin Wang6, Zhaoxia Qian7. 1. Department of Radiology, Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China; Department of Radiology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China. 2. Department of Radiology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China. 3. Diagnostic Imaging, SIEMENS Healthcare, Shanghai, China. 4. The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China. 5. Department of Radiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. 6. Department of Radiology, Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China. Electronic address: wgb7932596@hotmail.com. 7. Department of Radiology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: Zhaoxiaqian@126.com.
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: In magnetic resonance (MR) fetal imaging, the image quality acquired by the traditional Cartesian-sampled breath-hold T1-weighted (T1W) sequence may be degraded by motion artifacts arising from both mother and fetus. The radial VIBE sequence is reported to be a viable alternative to conventional Cartesian acquisition for both pediatric and adult MR, yielding better image quality. This study evaluated the role of radial VIBE in fetal MR imaging and compared its image quality and motion artifacts with those of the Cartesian T1W sequence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 246 pregnant women with 50 lesions on 1.5-T MR imaging. Image quality and lesion conspicuity were evaluated by two radiologists, blinded to the acquisition schemes used, using a five-point scale, where a higher score indicated a better trajectory method. Mixed-model analysis of variance and interobserver variability assessment were performed. RESULTS: The radial VIBE sequence showed a significantly better performance than conventional T1W imaging in the head and neck, fetal body, and placenta region: 3.92 ± 0.88 vs 3 ± 0.74, p < 0.001, 3.8 ± 0.94 vs 3.15 ± 0.87, p < 0.001, and 4.17 ± 0.63 vs 3.12 ± 0.72, p < 0.001, respectively. Additionally, fewer motion artifacts were observed in all regions with the radial VIBE sequence (p < 0.01). Of 50 lesions, 49 presented better lesion conspicuity on radial VIBE images than on T1W images (4.34 ± 0.91 vs 3.48 ± 1.46, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: For fetal imaging, the radial VIBE sequences yielded better image quality and lesion conspicuity, with fewer motion artifacts, than conventional breath-hold Cartesian-sampled T1W sequences.
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: In magnetic resonance (MR) fetal imaging, the image quality acquired by the traditional Cartesian-sampled breath-hold T1-weighted (T1W) sequence may be degraded by motion artifacts arising from both mother and fetus. The radial VIBE sequence is reported to be a viable alternative to conventional Cartesian acquisition for both pediatric and adult MR, yielding better image quality. This study evaluated the role of radial VIBE in fetal MR imaging and compared its image quality and motion artifacts with those of the Cartesian T1W sequence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 246 pregnant women with 50 lesions on 1.5-T MR imaging. Image quality and lesion conspicuity were evaluated by two radiologists, blinded to the acquisition schemes used, using a five-point scale, where a higher score indicated a better trajectory method. Mixed-model analysis of variance and interobserver variability assessment were performed. RESULTS: The radial VIBE sequence showed a significantly better performance than conventional T1W imaging in the head and neck, fetal body, and placenta region: 3.92 ± 0.88 vs 3 ± 0.74, p < 0.001, 3.8 ± 0.94 vs 3.15 ± 0.87, p < 0.001, and 4.17 ± 0.63 vs 3.12 ± 0.72, p < 0.001, respectively. Additionally, fewer motion artifacts were observed in all regions with the radial VIBE sequence (p < 0.01). Of 50 lesions, 49 presented better lesion conspicuity on radial VIBE images than on T1W images (4.34 ± 0.91 vs 3.48 ± 1.46, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: For fetal imaging, the radial VIBE sequences yielded better image quality and lesion conspicuity, with fewer motion artifacts, than conventional breath-hold Cartesian-sampled T1W sequences.