Parallel imaging-based reduction of acoustic noise for clinical magnetic resonance imaging

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of improving perceived acoustic comfort for a standard clinical magnetic resonance imaging protocol via gradient wave form optimization and validate parallel imaging as a means to achieve a further reduction of acoustic noise.

The gradient wave forms of a standard T2 axial turbo spin-echo (TSE) sequence in head examinations were modified for acoustic performance while attempting to keep the total acquisition and inter-echo spacing the same. Parallel imaging was then used to double the inter-echo spacing and allow further wave form optimization. Along with comparative acoustic noise measurements, a statistical analysis of radiologist scoring was conducted on volumes from standard and modified sequences acquired from 10 patients after informed consent was obtained.

Compared with TSE, significant improvement of acoustic comfort was measured for modified-sequences quiet TSE and quiet TSE with generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisitions (P = 0.0034 and P = 0.0003, respectively), and no statistically significant difference in diagnostic quality was observed without the use of parallel imaging.

Standard clinical magnetic resonance imaging protocols can be made quieter through adequate gradient wave form optimization. In scans with high signal-to-noise ratio, parallel imaging can be used to further reduce acoustic noise.