Comparison of a deep learning-accelerated T2-weighted turbo spin echo sequence and its conventional counterpart for female pelvic MRI: reduced acquisition times and improved image quality

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the feasibility of a deep learning-accelerated T2-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence (T2(DL)) applied to female pelvic MRI, using standard T2-weighted TSE (T2(S)) as reference. METHODS: In total, 24 volunteers and 48 consecutive patients with benign uterine diseases were enrolled. Patients in the menstrual phase were excluded. T2(S) and T2(DL) sequences in three planes were performed for each participant. Quantitative image evaluation was conducted by calculating the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Image geometric distortion was evaluated by measuring the diameters in all three directions of the uterus and lesions. Qualitative image evaluation including overall image quality, artifacts, boundary sharpness of the uterine zonal layers, and lesion conspicuity were assessed by three radiologists using a 5-point Likert scale, with 5 indicating the best quality. Comparative analyses were conducted for the two sequences. RESULTS: T2(DL) resulted in a 62.7% timing reduction (1:54 min for T2(DL) and 5:06 min for T2(S) in axial, sagittal, and coronal imaging, respectively). Compared to T2(S), T2(DL) had significantly higher SNR (p ≤ 0.001) and CNR (p ≤ 0.007), and without geometric distortion (p = 0.925–0.981). Inter-observer agreement regarding qualitative evaluation was excellent (Kendall’s W > 0.75). T2(DL) provided superior image quality (all p < 0.001), boundary sharpness of the uterine zonal layers (all p < 0.001), lesion conspicuity (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, and p = 0.021), and fewer artifacts (all p < 0.001) in sagittal, axial, and coronal imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with standard TSE, deep learning-accelerated T2-weighted TSE is feasible to reduce acquisition time of female pelvic MRI with significant improvement of image quality.