Scan-rescan repeatability and cross-scanner comparability of DTI metrics in healthy subjects in the SPRINT-MS...

To assess intrascanner repeatability and cross-scanner comparability for diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics in a multicenter clinical trial.

DTI metrics (including longitudinal diffusivity [LD], fractional anisotropy [FA], mean diffusivity [MD], and transverse diffusivity [TD]) from pyramidal tracts for healthy controls were calculated from images acquired on twenty-seven 3T MR scanners (Siemens and GE) with 6 different scanner models and 7 different software versions as part of the NN102/SPRINT-MS clinical trial. Each volunteer underwent two scanning sessions on the same scanner. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and signal-to-noise floor ratio (SNFR) were also assessed.

DTI metrics showed good scan-rescan repeatability. There were no significant differences between scans and rescans in LD, FA, MD, or TD values. Although the cross-scanner coefficient of variation (CV) values for all DTI metrics were <5.7%, significant differences were observed for LD (p < 3.3e-5) and FA (p < 0.0024) when GE scanners were compared with Siemens scanners. Significant differences were also observed for SNR when comparing GE scanners and Siemens Skyra scanners (p < 1.4e-7) and when comparing Siemens Skyra scanners and TIM Trio scanners (p < 1.0e-10). Analysis of background signal also demonstrated differences between GE and Siemens scanners in terms of signal statistics. The measured signal intensity from a background noise region of interest was significantly higher for GE scanners than for Siemens scanners (p < 1.2e-12). Significant differences were also observed for SNFR when comparing GE scanners and Siemens Skyra scanners (p < 2.5e-11), GE scanners and Siemens Trio scanners (p < 7.5e-11), and Siemens Skyra scanners and TIM Trio scanners (p < 2.5e-9).

The good repeatability of the DTI metrics among the 27 scanners used in this study confirms the feasibility of combining DTI data from multiple centers using high angular resolution sequences. Our observations support the feasibility of longitudinal multicenter clinical trials using DTI outcome measures. The noise floor level and SNFR are important parameters that must be assessed when comparing studies that used different scanner models.