Comparative study of image quality, ADC, and IVIM data between multi-b value MUSE-DWI and SS-EPI-DWI in brain imaging
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To compare the image quality, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters of Multiplexed sensitivity encoding diffusion imaging (MUSE-DWI), with single-shot echo-planar imaging diffusion-weighted imaging (SS-EPI-DWI)in brain imaging, focusing on the bilateral basal ganglia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of brain scans from 34 patients (mean age 50.2 ± 7.3 years) imaged between March and October 2021. Three senior technologists independently assessed artifacts and ADC fusion map matching rates. Quantitative measurements, including the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), ADC, true diffusion coefficient (D), pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D*), and perfusion fraction (f), were obtained from the basal ganglia region and statistically analyzed. The relationship between ADC values and b-values was assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Assess the agreement among radiologic technologists using Fleiss' Kappa and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: Agreement between the radiologic technologists was good. MUSE-DWI demonstrated significantly superior performance in artifact reduction, fusion map matching, and SNR versus SS-EPI-DWI (P < 0.05). ADC, D, D*, and f differed significantly between groups for b-values 20-600 s/mm² (P < 0.05), but not at b = 1000 s/mm² for ADC (P > 0.05). Furthermore, ADC values increased progressively as b-values decreased within each group (P < 0.05). A strong negative monotonic correlation was observed between ADC values and b-values within each group (For MUSE-DWI: Spearman's ρ= -0.85, P < 0.01; For SS-EPI-DWI: Spearman's ρ= -0.90, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In 3.0T MRI, MUSE-DWI provided higher-quality bilateral basal ganglia images with reduced distortion. However, at b-values < 1000 s/mm², MUSE-DWI ADC values were consistently lower than SS-EPI-DWI, with discrepancy widening as b-value decreased. IVIM parameters also differed significantly. Caution is advised in interpreting ADC and IVIM data from MUSE-DWI across varying b-values. Further, larger, studies with additional analyses are required.
Source: BMC Medical Imaging
Authors: Wei Wang, Weinan Xu, Shengjie Hu, Jiahao Hu
Institution: Wenzhou Medical University
Language: English
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,090
OpenAlex ID: W4415618354