Diffusion tensor imaging and diffusion kurtosis imaging of the pancreas - feasibility, robustness and protocol comparison in a healthy population

IF 2.2 3区 医学 Q2 RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING
Carlos Bilreiro, Luisa Andrade, Rafael Henriques, Nuno Loução, Celso Matos, Noam Shemesh
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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to determine the feasibility, image quality, intra-subject repeatability and inter-reader variability of Diffusion tensor (DTI) and Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) for pancreatic imaging using different protocols and report normative values in healthy individuals.

Methods

Single-institution prospective study performed on healthy volunteers in a clinical 3T scanner, using two different protocols (6/16 diffusion directions). Acquisitions were repeated twice to assess intra-subject repeatability. To assess inter-reader variability, Mean diffusivity (MD), Axial diffusivity (AD), Radial diffusivity (RD), Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and Mean kurtosis (MK) values were extracted from segmented pancreas by two radiologists. A Likert scale was used by both readers to assess subjective image quality.

Results

Twelve healthy volunteers were recruited for each MRI protocol. The 6 diffusion directions protocol was shorter: 7 min vs. 14 min (corresponding to 4 min vs. 7.5 min for a DTI only reconstruction). No differences in image quality were found between protocols. Only MK maps showed implausible estimates, leading to the exclusion of median 16% and 17.7% pixels for the 6- and 16-direction protocols, respectively. Intra-subject repeatability was determined with negligible coefficients of repeatability for DTI; however, MK presented slightly higher values. Inter-reader agreement was excellent for all maps (ICC > 0.9).

Conclusions

DTI and DKI of the pancreas are feasible in clinical settings, with excellent inter-observer agreement and good image quality. Intra-subject repeatability is excellent for DTI, but some variability was observed with DKI. A 6-directions protocol may be preferred due to faster acquisition without quantitatively compromising estimates. MK inaccuracies prompt further research for improving artifact correction.

Graphical abstract

胰腺弥散张量成像和弥散峰度成像--在健康人群中的可行性、稳健性和方案比较。
目的:本研究旨在确定不同方案下扩散张量(DTI)和扩散峰度成像(DKI)用于胰腺成像的可行性、图像质量、受试者内重复性和阅读器间可变性,并报告健康个体的规范值。方法:在临床3T扫描仪上对健康志愿者进行单机构前瞻性研究,采用两种不同的方案(6/16扩散方向)。获取重复两次以评估受试者内部的重复性。为了评估读取器间的可变性,两位放射科医生从分段胰腺中提取了平均扩散系数(MD)、轴向扩散系数(AD)、径向扩散系数(RD)、表观扩散系数(ADC)和平均峰度(MK)值。两位读者都使用李克特量表来评估主观图像质量。结果:每个MRI方案招募了12名健康志愿者。6个扩散方向方案较短:7分钟对14分钟(对应于仅DTI重建的4分钟对7.5分钟)。两种方案之间的图像质量没有差异。只有MK地图显示了不可信的估计,导致6向和16向协议分别排除了中位数16%和17.7%的像素。DTI的重复性系数可忽略不计;而MK的数值略高。所有地图的读者间一致性都很好(ICC > 0.9)。结论:胰腺DTI和DKI在临床上是可行的,具有良好的观察者间一致性和良好的图像质量。DTI的受试者内重复性很好,但DKI观察到一些变异性。由于在不影响定量估计的情况下更快地获取,6方向协议可能是首选。MK误差促使进一步研究改进伪影校正。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
Abdominal Radiology
Abdominal Radiology Medicine-Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
CiteScore
5.20
自引率
8.30%
发文量
334
期刊介绍: Abdominal Radiology seeks to meet the professional needs of the abdominal radiologist by publishing clinically pertinent original, review and practice related articles on the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts and abdominal interventional and radiologic procedures. Case reports are generally not accepted unless they are the first report of a new disease or condition, or part of a special solicited section. Reasons to Publish Your Article in Abdominal Radiology: · Official journal of the Society of Abdominal Radiology (SAR) · Published in Cooperation with: European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR) European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR) Asian Society of Abdominal Radiology (ASAR) · Efficient handling and Expeditious review · Author feedback is provided in a mentoring style · Global readership · Readers can earn CME credits
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