Metal Artifact Reduction Around Cervical Spine Implant Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging at 3T: A Phantom Study

Not specified, null · DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2665952/v1 · Published: March 16, 2023

Simple Explanation

Diffusion MRI is useful for assessing spinal cord integrity. However, metal implants cause image distortion. This study proposes a method, rFOV-PS-EPI, to reduce these distortions. The rFOV-PS-EPI method combines reduced Field-Of-View and phase segmented acquisition to mitigate metal-induced distortions in DTI images. Experiments using a spine phantom with metal implants show that the rFOV-PS-EPI method provides high-resolution images with significantly reduced metal artifacts compared to other techniques.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Phantom study, no human participants

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The rFOV-PS-EPI method allows DTI measurement at the level of the metal hardware, whereas rFOV-SS-EPI is useful when the metal is approximately 20 mm away.
2
The developed rFOV-PS-EPI approach enables high-resolution DTI in patients with metal implants by reducing geometric distortions near the metal.
3
Using shorter echo train improves the SNR, allowing better detection of small structure such as the asparagus edges.

Research Summary

This study introduces a reduced-Field-Of-View phase-segmented EPI (rFOV-PS-EPI) diffusion weighted MR pulse sequence to address geometric distortions near metal implants in DTI scans of the spinal cord at 3T. The efficacy of the proposed pulse sequence in reducing metal artifacts was evaluated through comparison with rFOV-SS-EPI and full-FOV approaches, demonstrating superior performance of rFOV-PS-EPI. Phantom-based results demonstrate the benefit of the proposed acquisition method in achieving high-resolution DTI with reduced geometric distortion near metal-based spinal hardware at 3T.

Practical Implications

Improved Post-operative Assessment

The rFOV-PS-EPI technique can enhance the ability to evaluate post-operative clinical outcomes in patients with spinal implants, which is currently limited by metal artifacts.

Enhanced DTI Accuracy

By reducing metal-induced distortions, this method provides more accurate and reliable DTI measurements near spinal hardware, enabling better visualization of spinal cord structures.

Potential for Clinical Translation

The demonstrated efficacy of rFOV-PS-EPI in a phantom model suggests its potential for translation into clinical practice, pending validation in post-operative patients.

Metal Artifact Reduction Around Cervical Spine Implant Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging at 3T: A Phantom Study

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Improved Post-operative Assessment

Enhanced DTI Accuracy

Potential for Clinical Translation

Study Limitations

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Metal Artifact Reduction Around Cervical Spine Implant Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging at 3T: A Phantom Study

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Improved Post-operative Assessment

Enhanced DTI Accuracy

Potential for Clinical Translation

Study Limitations

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?