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Updated: Mar 24, 2026
Three-Dimensional Phase Resolved Functional Lung Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Published on: June 21, 2024
MRI of the lung using the PROPELLER technique: Artifact reduction, better image quality and improved nodule detection
Michael Meier-Schroers1, Guido Kukuk1, Rami Homsi1
1Department of Radiology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Str 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
Purpose:
To evaluate the benefit of the PROPELLER technique (Periodically Rotated Overlapping ParallEL Lines with Enhanced Reconstruction, MultiVane, MV) for MR imaging of the lung.
Materials And Methods:
30 Participants of a lung cancer screening program were recruited for the comparison of T2-MV and T2-Fast Spin Echo (FSE) sequences at 1.5T. Two readers evaluated artifacts, image quality, and pulmonary lesions. Artifacts and image quality were rated using a four-point scale. Lesion detection was correlated to low-dose computed tomography (CT). Wilcoxon rank-test for ratings of artifacts and image quality, sensitivity and specificity values for lesion detection, and Cohen's kappa for inter-rater agreement were used.
Results:
The MV sequence showed less pulsation and motion artifacts, and higher image quality (p=0.001 for R1, p=0.002 for R2) than FSE (p<0.001 for both readers, R1 and R2). Inter-rater agreement was excellent for lesion detection (0.84-0.95) and good to excellent for artifacts and image quality (0.66-0.84). 17 patients had lesions <8mm, and 7 had lesions >8mm as seen on CT. For R1 and R2, the MV sequence allowed for higher detection rates of pulmonary lesions <8mm with a sensitivity of 56% (R1) and 59% (R2); the FSE sequence achieved 50% (R1) and 53% (R2). Specificity was also higher for MV with 94% (R1) and 83% (R2) compared to 78% (R1) and 76% (R2). Lesions >8mm were detected with a sensitivity of 100% by both readers on both MV and FSE images. For both readers, specificity for larger lesions was higher on MV images with 100% compared to 96%.
Conclusion:
The superior image quality and the very robust artifact reduction make MV a promising technique for MRI of the lung compared to FSE, especially since it is not requiring breathholds. Moreover, MV allows for improved lesion detection.
Insights
The MultiVane (MV) technique significantly improves lung MRI quality by reducing artifacts compared to Fast Spin Echo (FSE). This advanced MRI method enhances the detection of small pulmonary lesions, offering a promising alternative for lung imaging.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the lung presents challenges due to respiratory and cardiac motion artifacts.
- Traditional sequences like Fast Spin Echo (FSE) are susceptible to these artifacts, potentially limiting diagnostic accuracy.
- The MultiVane (MV) technique, also known as Periodically Rotated Overlapping ParallEL Lines with Enhanced Reconstruction (PROPELLER), was developed to mitigate motion artifacts in MRI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the MultiVane (MV) technique for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the lung.
- To compare the image quality and artifact levels of T2-MV sequences against T2-Fast Spin Echo (FSE) sequences.
- To assess the impact of MV technique on the detection of pulmonary lesions.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 30 participants from a lung cancer screening program.
- T2-MV and T2-FSE sequences were acquired at 1.5T for each participant.
- Two independent readers assessed image quality, artifacts, and pulmonary lesion detection, correlating findings with low-dose computed tomography (CT).
Main Results:
- The MV sequence demonstrated significantly reduced pulsation and motion artifacts and superior image quality compared to FSE (p<0.001).
- Inter-rater agreement for lesion detection was excellent (0.84-0.95), and good to excellent for image quality and artifacts (0.66-0.84).
- MV imaging resulted in higher sensitivity and specificity for detecting pulmonary lesions less than 8mm compared to FSE, while both techniques achieved 100% sensitivity for lesions greater than 8mm.
Conclusions:
- The MultiVane (MV) technique offers superior image quality and robust artifact reduction for lung MRI compared to FSE.
- MV is a promising technique for lung MRI, particularly as it does not require breath-holding.
- The improved image quality and artifact management with MV facilitate enhanced detection of pulmonary lesions.
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