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Reproducibility of liver ADC measurements using first moment optimized diffusion imaging
Timothy J Allen1, Rianne A van der Heijden2,3, Gregory Simchick2
1Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
|November 12, 2024
Summary
First moment-optimized diffusion imaging (MODI) significantly reduces liver motion bias and improves the reproducibility of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements. This motion-robust diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) technique is feasible across multiple MRI scanners.
Area of Science:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Diffusion-Weighted Imaging
- Liver Physiology
Background:
- Cardiac motion introduces significant bias in liver apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements, compromising their reliability and reproducibility.
- Standard diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) techniques are susceptible to motion artifacts, particularly in organs with inherent physiological movement like the liver.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement and evaluate first moment-optimized diffusion imaging (MODI) for motion-robust liver DWI across multiple MRI scanners.
- To assess the reproducibility of liver ADC measurements obtained with MODI compared to conventional monopolar DWI.
Main Methods:
- First moment-optimized diffusion imaging (MODI) was implemented on three MRI scanners with varying gradient performance and field strengths.
- MODI-DWI and conventional Stejskal-Tanner monopolar (MONO) DWI were acquired in eight healthy volunteers.
- Diffusion-weighted imaging repetitions were averaged using three distinct methods (simple, weighted, squared weighted) to assess their impact on ADC measurements.
Main Results:
- MODI significantly reduced left-right liver lobe ADC bias compared to MONO DWI across all averaging methods, with the greatest reduction observed using squared weighted averaging (0.01 × 10⁻³ mm²/s bias with MODI vs. 0.14 × 10⁻³ mm²/s with MONO).
- MODI demonstrated improved reproducibility coefficients over MONO DWI for all averaging methods, indicating enhanced consistency of ADC measurements.
- No significant differences in ADC measurements were observed based on field strength or scanner gradient performance, highlighting MODI's robustness.
Conclusions:
- The feasibility of motion-robust liver DWI using MODI was successfully demonstrated on multiple MRI scanners.
- MODI significantly improved interlobar agreement and the overall reproducibility of liver ADC measurements in healthy volunteers.
- MODI represents a promising technique for reliable and reproducible liver ADC quantification in clinical practice.
