Deep Learning-Accelerated Prostate MRI: Improving Speed, Accuracy, and Sustainability.
Authors
Affiliations (7)
Affiliations (7)
- Clinic for Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (P.R., V.K., L.D.G., A.A.B., J.G., C.B., M.A.A., D.M.D., P.K., L.A.S., M.H., S.A.S., J.E.S., R.M.H., K.E., T.J.V., S.M.). Electronic address: [email protected].
- Clinic for Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (P.R., V.K., L.D.G., A.A.B., J.G., C.B., M.A.A., D.M.D., P.K., L.A.S., M.H., S.A.S., J.E.S., R.M.H., K.E., T.J.V., S.M.).
- EMEA Scientific Partnerships, Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Forchheim, Germany (R.S.).
- MR Application Predevelopment, Siemens Healthineers AG, Forchheim, Germany (D.N.).
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morphological and Functional Imaging, G. Martino University Hospital, University of Messina, Messina, Italy (T.D.).
- Clinic of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany (C.M.S.).
- Department of Cardiology, Goethe University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany (D.M.L., S.M.H.).
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a deep learning (DL)-enhanced four-fold parallel acquisition technique (P4) in improving prostate MR image quality while optimizing scan efficiency compared to the traditional two-fold parallel acquisition technique (P2). Patients undergoing prostate MRI with DL-enhanced acquisitions were analyzed from January 2024 to July 2024. The participants prospectively received T2-weighted sequences in all imaging planes using both P2 and P4. Three independent readers assessed image quality, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Significant differences in contrast and gray-level properties between P2 and P4 were identified through radiomics analysis (p <.05). A total of 51 participants (mean age 69.4 years ± 10.5 years) underwent P2 and P4 imaging. P4 demonstrated higher CNR and SNR values compared to P2 (p <.001). P4 was consistently rated superior to P2, demonstrating enhanced image quality and greater diagnostic precision across all evaluated categories (p <.001). Furthermore, radiomics analysis confirmed that P4 significantly altered structural and textural differentiation in comparison to P2. The P4 protocol reduced T2w scan times by 50.8%, from 11:48 min to 5:48 min (p <.001). In conclusion, P4 imaging enhances diagnostic quality and reduces scan times, improving workflow efficiency, and potentially contributing to a more patient-centered and sustainable radiology practice.