Accelerated 3D T2-Weighted SPACE Using Compressed Sensing for Paediatric Brain Imaging

The purpose of this study was to compare the image quality of the single-slab, 3D T2-weighted turbo-spin-eco sequence with high sampling efficiency (SPACE) with accelerated SPACE using compressed sensing (CS-SPACE) in paediatric brain imaging. A total of 116 brain MRI (53 in SPACE group and 63 in CS-SPACE group) were obtained from children aged 16 years old or younger. Quantitative image quality was evaluated using the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The sequences were qualitatively evaluated for overall image quality, SNR, general artifact, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-related artifact and grey-white matter differentiation. The two sequences were compared for the total and for two age groups (< 24 months vs. ≥ 24 months). CS application in 3D T2-weighted imaging resulted in 8.5% reduction in scanning time. Quantitative image quality analysis showed higher SNR (Median [Interquartile range]; 29 [25] vs. 23 [14], P  = .005) and CNR (0.231 [0.121] vs. 0.165 [0.120], P  = .027) with CS-SPACE compared to SPACE. Qualitative image quality analysis showed better image quality with CS-SPACE for general artifact ( P  = .024) and CSF-related artifact ( P  < .001). CSF-related artifacts reduction was more prominent in the older age group (≥ 24 months). Overall image quality ( P  = .162), SNR ( P  = .726), and grey-white matter differentiation ( P  = .397) were comparable between SPACE and CS-SPACE. In conclusion, compressed sensing applied 3D T2-weighted images showed comparable or superior image quality compared to conventional images with reduced acquisition time for paediatric brain.