title: Database prescan: a time-efficient alternative to brain MRI autoprescan.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of database prescan as an alternative to conventional autoprescan in pediatric brain MRI. Autoprescan parameters [receiver levels and transmit gain (TG)] were analyzed prospectively in 236 pediatric brain MRI studies. Paired t test and linear regression analysis were performed to determine predictability of autoprescan parameters by database-generated parameters. Signal-to-noise ratio, image quality, and potential time efficiency of database-generated parameters were assessed. No statistical difference (P = .13) and a high correlation between the TG of the axial fast spin echo (FSE) proton density (PD) and axial FSE T2-weighted sequences (r = .92) was seen. Strong correlations were noted between the TG of the sagittal T1-weighted and the TG of the axial FSE PD (r = .79), axial FSE T2-weighted (r = .81), and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (r = .78) sequences. The receiver levels did not change significantly between sequences. Quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed no differences in the signal-to-noise ratios of the autoprescan and the database-predicted prescan parameters. Implementation of database prescan could improve time efficiency by 28 to 33%. Autoprescan parameters can be predicted by using database-generated information while preserving the diagnostic image quality of the study. Incorporation of database prescan into commercial MRI systems could improve MRI time efficiency and patient throughput.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Santiago Medina
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Mulkern
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Strife
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zurakowski
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007256:Information Systems; D016014:Linear Models; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D019564:Unnecessary Procedures / Q000191:economics