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Updated: May 27, 2026
High-resolution Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Methods for Human Midbrain
Published on: May 10, 2012
Comparison of brain MR images at 1.5T using BLADE and rectilinear techniques for patients who move during data
E Nyberg1, G S Sandhu, J Jesberger
1Department of Radiology, University Hospitals, Case Center for Imaging Research, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Background And Purpose:
MR imaging of moving patients can be challenging and motion correction techniques have been proposed though some have associated new artifacts. The objective of this study was to semiquantitatively compare brain MR images of moving patients obtained at 1.5T by using partially radial and rectilinear acquisition techniques.
Materials And Methods:
FLAIR, T2-, T1-, and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted image sets of 25 patients (14-94 years) obtained by using BLADE (like PROPELLER, a partially radial acquisition) and rectilinear techniques in the same imaging session were compared by 2 neuroradiologists in terms of extent of the motion artifact, image quality, and lesion visibility. ICC between opinions of the evaluators was calculated.
Results:
Of the total of 70 image sets, the motion artifact was small in the partially radial images in 43 and in the rectilinear images in 13, and the opinions of the evaluators were discordant in the remaining 14 sets (ICC = 0.63, P < .05). The quality of partially radial images was higher for 36 sets versus 9 rectilinear sets, with disagreement between the 2 evaluators in the remaining 25 (ICC = 0.15, P < .05). Pathologic lesions were better characterized on 37 sets of partially radial images versus 13 sets of rectilinear images, and opinions of the evaluators differed in 20 sets (ICC = 0.90, P < .05). The neuroradiologists deemed 4 sets of rectilinear images nondiagnostic compared with only 1 set of radial images.
Conclusions:
The data demonstrate that our application of BLADE sequences reduces the extent of motion artifacts in brain images of moving patients, improving image quality and lesion characterization.
Insights
Partially radial BLADE MRI sequences significantly reduce motion artifacts in brain scans of moving patients. This technique improves overall image quality and enhances the characterization of lesions compared to rectilinear methods.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Motion artifacts are a significant challenge in Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging of moving patients.
- Existing motion correction techniques can introduce new artifacts, necessitating alternative solutions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To semiquantitatively compare brain MR images acquired at 1.5T using partially radial (BLADE) and rectilinear acquisition techniques in patients experiencing motion.
- To evaluate the impact of acquisition technique on motion artifact extent, image quality, and lesion visibility.
Main Methods:
- Two neuroradiologists assessed FLAIR, T2-, T1-, and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted image sets from 25 patients (ages 14-94).
- Images were acquired using both BLADE (partially radial) and rectilinear techniques during the same session.
- Inter-rater reliability was assessed using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC).
Main Results:
- Partially radial BLADE images exhibited significantly less motion artifact (43/70 sets) compared to rectilinear images (13/70 sets).
- Image quality was rated higher for partially radial images (36/70 sets) versus rectilinear (9/70 sets).
- Pathologic lesions were better characterized on partially radial images (37/70 sets) compared to rectilinear (13/70 sets), with fewer nondiagnostic scans.
Conclusions:
- The application of BLADE sequences effectively reduces motion artifacts in brain MR imaging of moving patients.
- BLADE sequences demonstrate superior performance in improving image quality and lesion characterization compared to rectilinear techniques.
- This study supports the use of partially radial acquisition techniques for enhanced diagnostic accuracy in challenging patient populations.
