Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancing Hepatic Fibrosis Diagnosis Using Magnetic Resonance Elastography and AI
Published on: July 21, 2023
Motion-Corrected versus Conventional Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Liver Using Non-Rigid
Je Seung Son1, Hee Sun Park1,2, Sungeun Park1
1Department of Radiology, Konkuk University Medical Center, 120-1, Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05030, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
It is challenging to overcome motion artifacts in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the abdomen. This study aimed to evaluate the image quality of motion-corrected DWI of the liver using non-rigid registration in comparison with conventional DWI (c-DWI) in patients with liver diseases. Eighty-nine patients who underwent 3-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver were retrospectively included. DWI was performed using c-DWI and non-rigid motion-corrected (moco) DWI was performed in addition to c-DWI. The image quality and conspicuity of hepatic focal lesions were scored using a five-point scale by two radiologists and compared between the two DWI image sets. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was measured in three regions of the liver parenchyma and in hepatic focal lesions, and compared between the two DWI image sets. Moco-DWI achieved higher scores in image quality compared to c-DWI in terms of liver edge sharpness and hepatic vessel margin delineation. The conspicuity scores of hepatic focal lesions were higher in moco-DWI. The standard deviation values of ADC of the liver parenchyma were lower in the moco-DWI than in the c-DWI. Moco-DWI using non-rigid registration showed improved overall image quality and provided more reliable ADC measurement, with an equivalent scan time, compared with c-DWI.
Insights
Motion-corrected diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) significantly improves liver MRI quality. This technique enhances lesion conspicuity and provides more reliable apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements compared to conventional DWI.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Radiology
- Diffusion-Weighted Imaging
Background:
- Motion artifacts are a significant challenge in abdominal diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).
- Accurate assessment of liver diseases using DWI is often limited by image quality issues.
- Conventional DWI (c-DWI) can be suboptimal for evaluating liver parenchyma and focal lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of non-rigid motion-corrected (moco) DWI for liver imaging.
- To compare the image quality and lesion conspicuity of moco-DWI against c-DWI.
- To assess the reliability of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements between the two DWI techniques.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 89 patients undergoing 3-T MRI of the liver.
- Acquisition of both c-DWI and moco-DWI sequences in all patients.
- Image quality scoring by two radiologists focusing on liver edge sharpness and vessel delineation.
- Measurement and comparison of ADC values in liver parenchyma and focal lesions.
Main Results:
- Moco-DWI demonstrated superior image quality, including sharper liver edges and better vessel margin delineation, compared to c-DWI.
- Hepatic focal lesions showed higher conspicuity scores on moco-DWI.
- Lower standard deviation of ADC values in the liver parenchyma was observed with moco-DWI, indicating more reliable measurements.
- No increase in scan time was required for moco-DWI.
Conclusions:
- Non-rigid registration-based moco-DWI significantly enhances image quality in liver MRI.
- Moco-DWI improves the conspicuity of focal liver lesions and the reliability of ADC measurements.
- This advanced DWI technique offers a valuable improvement over c-DWI for diagnosing liver diseases.
