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Maintaining Image Quality While Reducing Acoustic Noise and Switched Gradient Field Exposure During Lumbar MRI.
Anton Glans1,2, Jonna Wilén2, Lenita Lindgren1
1Department of Nursing, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging : JMRI
|February 10, 2021
Summary
Quiet Suite (QS) and Whisper Mode (WM) significantly reduce MRI acoustic noise and gradient field exposure without impacting image quality. QS offers the greatest noise reduction and is perceived as the most silent option.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Acoustics
- Biophysics
Background:
- MR-generated acoustic noise causes patient discomfort and potential harm.
- Software optimization of gradient output and waveforms can reduce acoustic noise.
- Different acoustic noise reduction (ANR) techniques vary in their effect on sound pressure levels (SPLs) and image quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate sound pressure levels (SPLs), image quality, switched gradient field exposure, and perceived noise during two ANR techniques (Quiet Suite and Whisper Mode) compared to conventional T2-weighted turbo spin echo (T2W TSE) for lumbar MRI.
- To assess the efficacy of ANR techniques in mitigating acoustic noise during lumbar spine MRI.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 40 adult participants undergoing lumbar MRI.
- Acquisition of conventional T2W TSE, T2W TSE with Quiet Suite (QS), and T2W TSE with Whisper Mode (WM) at 1.5 T.
- Measurement of peak SPLs, perceived noise levels (Borg CR10® scale), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), qualitative image quality, and switched gradient field exposure.
Main Results:
- Mean peak SPLs were significantly lower for QS (74.3 dBA) and WM (78.8 dBA) compared to conventional (89.9 dBA) (P < 0.05).
- Participants perceived QS as the quietest and conventional as the loudest sequence (P < 0.05).
- QS and WM reduced switched gradient field exposure by 66% and 48%, respectively, with no degradation in qualitative image quality. QS demonstrated improved SNR and CNR.
Conclusions:
- Both Quiet Suite (QS) and Whisper Mode (WM) are effective ANR techniques for T2W TSE lumbar MRI, significantly reducing acoustic noise and gradient field exposure.
- QS provides the most substantial reduction in SPL and gradient field exposure, along with the lowest perceived noise level, without compromising image quality.
- These ANR techniques offer a viable solution to enhance patient comfort during MRI examinations.
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