Comparative evaluation of four reconstruction techniques for prostate T2-weighted MRI: Sensitivity encoding, compressed sensing, deep learning, and super-resolution

Purpose

To evaluate and compare the image quality and lesion conspicuity of prostate T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) using four reconstruction methods: conventional Sensitivity Encoding (SENSE), compressed sensing (CS), model-based deep learning reconstruction (DL), and deep learning super-resolution reconstruction (SR).

Methods

This retrospective study included 49 patients who underwent multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) or biparametric MRI (bpMRI) for suspected prostate cancer. Axial T2WI was acquired using two protocols: conventional SENSE and CS-based acquisition. From the CS-based data, three reconstruction methods (CS, DL, and SR) were applied to generate additional images. Two board-certified radiologists independently assessed overall image quality and sharpness using a 4-point Likert scale (1 = poor, 4 = excellent). Quantitative analysis included signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and sharpness index. PI-RADS T2WI scoring and lesion conspicuity were preliminarily evaluated in 18 individuals with pathologically confirmed prostate cancer. Statistical comparisons were conducted using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results

SR consistently achieved the highest scores in both qualitative (overall image quality, image sharpness) and quantitative (SNR, CNR, sharpness index) assessments, compared with SENSE, CS, and DL (all pairwise comparisons, Bonferroni-corrected p < 0.0001). In lesion-based analysis, SR showed a trend toward improved lesion conspicuity, although PI-RADS T2WI scores were similar across reconstruction.

Conclusion

SR reconstruction demonstrated superior image quality in both qualitative and quantitative assessments and showed potential benefits for lesion visualization. These findings, although based on a small sample, suggest that SR may be a promising approach for prostate MRI and warrants further investigation in larger populations.