Comparative study of image quality, ADC, and IVIM data between multi-b value MUSE-DWI and SS-EPI-DWI in brain imaging

To compare the image quality, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters of Multiplexed sensitivity encoding diffusion imaging (MUSE-DWI), with single-shot echo-planar imaging diffusion-weighted imaging (SS-EPI-DWI)in brain imaging, focusing on the bilateral basal ganglia.

Retrospective analysis of brain scans from 34 patients (mean age 50.2 ± 7.3 years) imaged between March and October 2021. Three senior technologists independently assessed artifacts and ADC fusion map matching rates. Quantitative measurements, including the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), ADC, true diffusion coefficient (D), pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f), were obtained from the basal ganglia region and statistically analyzed. The relationship between ADC values and b-values was assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Assess the agreement among radiologic technologists using Fleiss' Kappa and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC).

Agreement between the radiologic technologists was good. MUSE-DWI demonstrated significantly superior performance in artifact reduction, fusion map matching, and SNR versus SS-EPI-DWI (P < 0.05). ADC, D, D*, and f differed significantly between groups for b-values 20-600 s/mm² (P < 0.05), but not at b = 1000 s/mm² for ADC (P > 0.05). Furthermore, ADC values increased progressively as b-values decreased within each group (P < 0.05). A strong negative monotonic correlation was observed between ADC values and b-values within each group (For MUSE-DWI: Spearman's ρ= -0.85, P < 0.01; For SS-EPI-DWI: Spearman's ρ= -0.90, P < 0.01).

In 3.0T MRI, MUSE-DWI provided higher-quality bilateral basal ganglia images with reduced distortion. However, at b-values < 1000 s/mm², MUSE-DWI ADC values were consistently lower than SS-EPI-DWI, with discrepancy widening as b-value decreased. IVIM parameters also differed significantly. Caution is advised in interpreting ADC and IVIM data from MUSE-DWI across varying b-values. Further, larger, studies with additional analyses are required.