Towards Clinical Translation of Intravoxel Incoherent Motion MRI: Acquisition and Analysis Consensus Recommendations

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Biophysics
• Radiology

Background:

• Intravoxel Incoherent Motion (IVIM) MRI assesses tissue perfusion and water diffusion.
• Single-center studies show IVIM's potential in disease diagnosis and monitoring.
• Protocol heterogeneity hinders widespread IVIM adoption and clinical integration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To accelerate the deployment of IVIM MRI by harmonizing protocols.
• To establish standardized acquisition and analysis methods for key organs.
• To improve consistency, repeatability, and reproducibility of IVIM studies.

Main Methods:

• Consensus development through questionnaires and a dedicated workshop.
• Recommendations for standardized b-value selection and measurement.
• Detailed guidelines for acquisition protocols and analysis pipelines.

Main Results:

• Harmonized IVIM protocols proposed for brain, breast, kidney, liver, muscle, and pancreas.
• A core set of b-values recommended for standardization, with options for advanced studies.
• Guidelines provided to enhance consistency and reproducibility in IVIM parameter reporting.

Conclusions:

• Standardized IVIM protocols are crucial for reliable diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
• Adoption of these recommendations will facilitate broader clinical application of IVIM MRI.
• The consensus aims to bridge the gap between IVIM's potential and its practical implementation.