Determinants of image quality in respiratory triggered free breathing lung MRI at 0.55 T in adults
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Published on: September 6, 2024
Richard B Schonour1,2, Felicia I Tang2,3, Kiara A Bowers2,3
1Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, 36688, United States.
Background:
Mid-field MRI scans (0.55 T) have gained attention for pulmonary imaging because of reduced susceptibility artifact, but image quality remains variable across patient populations, limiting its clinical adoption.
Purpose:
To identify technical and clinical factors associated with poor image quality in 0.55 T lung MRI in adults with various pulmonary diseases.
Materials And Methods:
Adults with major pulmonary disease (eg, infection, pulmonary fibrosis, cancer) who were scheduled for chest CT or PET/CT at a single health care site were prospectively recruited from January to August 2023 to undergo same-day 0.55 T MRI scans. Exclusion criteria included inability to communicate in English, overlapping pulmonary diagnoses already represented, or declining consent. Respiratory-triggered T2-weighted BLADE and T1-weighted UTE sequences were acquired on a Siemens MAGNETOM Free.Max (0.55 T) scanner. Six radiologists independently graded overall image quality (1 = poor, 2 = fine, 3 = excellent). Respiratory metrics were quantified, including tidal depth, respiratory rate, and respiration length. Body mass index (BMI) and body surface area were calculated. One-way analysis of variance was used to test the association between these factors and image quality. Interreader agreement was assessed using Fleiss kappa and the intraclass correlation coefficient.
Results:
Twenty-eight participants (mean age, 59 years ± 19; 17 women) were evaluated. Fibrotic interstitial lung disease was linked to degraded image quality. Deeper tidal depth (P = .04), longer respiration length (P = .002), and higher BMI (P = 0.02) were significant predictors of degradation on univariate analysis. Respiratory rate and body surface area were not significantly associated (P > .05).
Conclusion:
This preliminary study suggests that BMI, pulmonary fibrosis, and deep/slow breathing patterns may be associated with degraded respiratory triggered 0.55 T lung MRI. If confirmed in larger, more diverse cohorts, these findings could help identify patients at risk for lower quality imaging and inform strategies to optimize image quality in clinical practice.
Insights
Mid-field MRI (0.55 T) for lung imaging shows variable quality. Higher BMI, pulmonary fibrosis, and deep/slow breathing are linked to degraded image quality in adults.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Medical Imaging
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Mid-field MRI (0.55 T) offers reduced artifact for lung imaging.
- Variable image quality across patient populations hinders clinical adoption of 0.55 T lung MRI.
Purpose of the Study:
- Identify technical and clinical factors associated with poor image quality in 0.55 T lung MRI for adults with pulmonary diseases.
Main Methods:
- Prospective recruitment of 28 adults with major pulmonary disease undergoing 0.55 T MRI.
- Acquisition of respiratory-triggered T2-weighted BLADE and T1-weighted UTE sequences.
- Radiologist grading of image quality, quantification of respiratory metrics, and calculation of BMI and body surface area.
Main Results:
- Pulmonary fibrosis was linked to degraded image quality.
- Deeper tidal depth, longer respiration length, and higher BMI significantly predicted image degradation.
- Respiratory rate and body surface area showed no significant association with image quality.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary findings suggest BMI, pulmonary fibrosis, and deep/slow breathing patterns are associated with degraded 0.55 T lung MRI.
- These factors may help identify patients at risk for lower quality imaging.
- Further validation in larger cohorts could inform strategies to optimize clinical imaging quality.
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