Accelerating knee MR imaging: Compressed sensing in isotropic three-dimensional fast spin-echo sequence.

PURPOSE: To compare image quality between compressed sensing (CS)-3D-fast spin-echo (FSE) and conventional 3D-FSE sequences for knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODS: Knee MRI of 43 patients (male:female, 14:29; mean age, 53years) were acquired using conventional and CS-3D-FSE with an acceleration factor of 1.5. Overall image quality was assessed by correlation coefficient, root-mean-square error (RMSE), and structural similarity (SSIM) index. Regional image quality was evaluated using signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs). Subjective image quality was evaluated using a four-point scale. Diagnostic agreement for meniscal lesions between the two sequences was evaluated.

RESULTS: The scan time was reduced from 7:14-8:08 to 4:53-5:08 with CS. A strong positive correlation was observed between data of the two sequences (mean r=0.880). The RMSE (mean, 126.861) and SSIM index (mean, 0.987) were acceptable. The SNRs and CNRs were not significantly different between the two sequences (P>0.05, each). There were no significant differences in the evaluation of the menisci and cruciate ligaments, while the CS images demonstrated inferior quality of cartilage-subchondral bone delineation. Diagnostic agreement for meniscal lesions between the two sequences was very good (κ=0.943-1).

CONCLUSION: Compressed sensing-3D-FSE knee MRI produces images of acceptable quality while reducing scan time.