title: Motion correction improves image quality of dGEMRIC in finger joints.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess motion artifacts in dGEMRIC of finger joints and to evaluate the effectiveness of motion correction.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 40 subjects (26 patients with finger arthritis and 14 healthy volunteers) dGEMRIC of metacarpophalangeal joint II was performed. Imaging used a dual flip angle approach (TE 3.72 ms, TR 15 ms, flip angles 5° and 26°). Two sets of T1 maps were calculated for dGEMRIC analysis from the imaging data for each subject: one with and one without motion correction. To compare image quality, visual grading analysis and precision of dGEMRIC measurement of both dGEMRIC maps for each case were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Motion artifacts were present in 82% (33/40) of uncorrected dGEMRIC maps. Motion artifacts were graded as severe or as rendering evaluation impossible in 43% (17/40) of uncorrected dGEMRIC maps. Motion corrected maps showed significantly less motion artifacts (P<0.001) and were graded as evaluable in 97% (39/40) of cases. Precision was significantly higher in motion corrected images (coefficient of variation (CV=.176±.077), compared to uncorrected images (CV .445±.347) (P<.001). Motion corrected dGERMIC was different in volunteers and patients (P=.044), whereas uncorrected dGEMRIC was not (P=.234).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Motion correction improves image quality, dGEMRIC measurement precision and diagnostic performance in dGEMRIC of finger joints.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Falk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Miese
authors.forename: Patric
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kröpil
authors.forename: Benedikt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ostendorf
authors.forename: Axel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scherer
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buchbender
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quentin
authors.forename: Rotem S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Lanzman
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Blondin
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bittersohl
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zilkens
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jellus
authors.forename: Tallal
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ch Mamisch
authors.forename: Hans-Jörg
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Wittsack
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016477:Artifacts; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009038:Motion; D009068:Movement; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult