Deep Learning-Generated Synthetic MR Imaging STIR Spine Images Are Superior in Image Quality and Diagnostically Equivalent to Conventional STIR: A Multicenter, Multireader Trial.

Publication/Presentation Date

8-1-2023

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Deep learning image reconstruction allows faster MR imaging acquisitions while matching or exceeding the standard of care and can create synthetic images from existing data sets. This multicenter, multireader spine study evaluated the performance of synthetically created STIR compared with acquired STIR.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: From a multicenter, multiscanner data base of 328 clinical cases, a nonreader neuroradiologist randomly selected 110 spine MR imaging studies in 93 patients (sagittal T1, T2, and STIR) and classified them into 5 categories of disease and healthy. A DICOM-based deep learning application generated a synthetically created STIR series from the sagittal T1 and T2 images. Five radiologists (3 neuroradiologists, 1 musculoskeletal radiologist, and 1 general radiologist) rated the STIR quality and classified disease pathology (study 1,

RESULTS: For classification, there was a decrease in interreader agreement expected by randomly introducing synthetically created STIR of 3.23%. For trauma, there was an overall increase in interreader agreement by +1.9%. The lower bound of confidence for both exceeded the noninferiority threshold, indicating interchangeability of synthetically created STIR with acquired STIR. Both the Wilcoxon signed-rank and

CONCLUSIONS: Synthetically created STIR spine MR images were diagnostically interchangeable with acquired STIR, while providing significantly higher image quality, suggesting routine clinical practice potential.

Volume

44

Issue

8

First Page

987

Last Page

993

ISSN

1936-959X

Disciplines

Diagnosis | Medicine and Health Sciences | Other Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment | Radiology

PubMedID

37414452

Department(s)

Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Medical Imaging

Document Type

Article

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