The effectiveness of a neck fixation device to improve the image quality of DWIBS was investigated. Healthy volunteers were examined while chewing with and without a neck fixation device using a 3-T MRI system. Distance of mandibular movement was measured using true-fast imaging of steady-state precession (true FISP). Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of DWIBS were measured. Image quality of DWIBS was scored by visual evaluation. These values were compared with and without a neck fixation device. Regarding results, the mandibular displacement and ADC were decreased, and the SNR and visual score were increased by the use of the fixation device. There is a significant difference between with and without a neck fixation device in each measurement. The technique using a neck fixation device helps improve image quality of DWIBS in the head and neck region.

The effectiveness of a neck fixation device to improve the image quality of DWIBS was investigated. Healthy volunteers were examined while chewing with and without a neck fixation device using 3-T MRI system. The amount of mandibular bone movement and the ADC values of some body parts were decreased by the fixation device. These are thought to improve the image quality and the ADC measurement accuracy. The technique using a neck fixation device helps improve image quality of DWIBS in the head and neck region.