Distortion Correction Protocol for 3T Stereotactic Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Clinical Study

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Medical Imaging
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background:

• 3T MRI is crucial for functional neurosurgery, demanding high precision.
• Geometric image distortion in 3T MRI poses a challenge for accuracy.
• A correction protocol is needed for stereotactic procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the clinical safety and practical viability of a 3T MRI geometric distortion correction protocol.
• To assess the accuracy of corrected MRI images compared to CT references.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study with 20 patients undergoing stereotactic procedures.
• Computed tomography (CT) images served as references for MRI accuracy.
• Geometric accuracy was calculated using 152 landmark points across normal and reversed MRI scans.

Main Results:

• Initial distortion ranged from 0-5.6 mm, increasing with distance from the stereotactic isocenter.
• Post-correction, distortion was reduced to 0-3.5 mm.
• No significant difference in corrected x-coordinates between CT and MRI.

Conclusions:

• The developed method effectively corrects geometric distortions in clinical 3T MRI.
• The technique is practical and efficient, especially with software automation.
• Applicable to all spin-echo MRI sequences.