Quantitative Phantom-Based Image Quality Analysis of MRI Acoustic Noise Reduction Algorithm Effects

Abstract

The impact of proprietary acoustic noise reduction (ANR) algorithms on ghosting, intensity uniformity, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio were quantitatively assessed on 1.5 and 3 Tesla MRI scanners at Fiona Stanley Hospital. T1 weighted images of an MRI phantom were acquired repeatedly over three sessions with all sequence parameters on a given scanner constant except ANR being off or on. Significant differences in paired t-tests were found at 1.5T (p < 0.001) and 3T (p < 0.01) between the ANR on vs off groups for ghosting; intensity uniformity at 1.5T (p < 0.001); and for contrast-to-noise ratio at 1.5T (p < 0.01). ANR can have an impact on image quality; the methods used in this study are easily replicable and could be used to help inform decision making regarding its routine use in the clinic.