Quiet MRI

Loud acoustic noise is well-acknowledged as one of the main reasons for patient discomfort in MRI [1][2], especially for pediatric patients. For unsedated neonates scanned with the feed-and-swaddle technique, the loud acoustic noise can often wake them up and lead to an unsuccessful exam[3]. Zero echo time (ZTE) imaging (based on RUFIS[4]) enables the unique combination of low acoustic noise and high sampling efficiency, where >99% of each TR can be used for sampling. Our research develops upon standard ZTE to enable (i) quiet T1-weighted imaging and (ii) quiet, dynamic imaging with flexible temporal resolution. We jointly design the quiet acquisition along with an inverse problem-based reconstruction to enable novel applications of quiet MRI in clinical settings.

References

[1] Mackenzie R., Sims C., Owens R. G., Dixon A. K.. Patients’ perceptions of magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical Radiology. 1995;50(3):137–143.
[2] Chou I.-Jun, Tench Christopher R., Gowland Penny, et al. Subjective discomfort in children receiving 3 T MRI and experienced adults’ perspective on children’s tolerability of 7 T: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey. BMJ Open. 2014;4(10):e006094. Publisher: British Medical Journal Publishing Group Section: Radiology and imaging.
[3] Zhu Xi, Ye Jing, Bao Zhuqing, et al. Benefits of Silent DWI MRI in Success Rate, Image Quality, and the Need for Secondary Sedation During Brain Imaging of Children of 3–36 Months of Age. Academic Radiology. 2020;27(4):543–549. [4] Madio David P., Lowe Irving J.. Ultra-fast imaging using low flip angles and fids. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. 1995;34(4):525–529.