Abstract:
Objective To investigate the feasibility of accelerating MR scan by modifying the scanning parameters.
Methods First, the spine cho(SE) T1-weighted and T2-weighted sequences of neck soft tissue were used to scan the transverse(Tra) slices of the special quality control phantom of the Philips Achieva 1.5T system. The FOV/Matrix/Voxel, SENSE, Min.TR, TE, and TSE factor were modified in the "Geometry, Contrast" mode of the data acquisition interface to accelerate the scanning speed. The phantom was scanned at the same time the scanning parameters were modified. Finally, the total scan duration(TSD) of the corresponding sequences was compared. The signal-to-noise ratio(SNR), non-uniformity(NU) in the ROI, and profile curve in the X-direction of the Tra images were used to evaluate image quality before and after the scanning parameters were modified. Paired t-test was used to analyze the quantitative data.
Results Approximately 38.5 s(25.56%) and 40.0 s(22.22%)were saved corresponded to the T1-weighted and T2-weighted sequences, respectively, after the scanning parameters were modified. Visual differences in the images and profile curves of the corresponding sequences were not found between before and after the modification of scanning parameters. The mean SNRs of the T1-weighted and T2-weighted sequences increased slightly after the modification, but the differences were not significant(t=-1.891, P=0.199;t=-1.474, P=0.278). The mean NUs slightly decreased after the modification, but the differences were also not significant(t=0.802, P=0.507;t=0.168, P=0.882).
Conclusion The phantom test showed that the MR scan speed was accelerated and image quality was ensured by modifying the scanning parameters.