title: Metal artefact suppression at 3 T MRI: comparison of MAVRIC-SL with conventional fast spin echo sequences in patients with Hip joint arthroplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical feasibility and diagnostic value of a new MRI metal artefact reduction pulse sequence called MAVRIC-SL in a 3 T MRI environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two MAVRIC-SL sequences obtained in 61 patients with symptomatic total hip replacement were compared with standard FSE-STIR sequences optimized for imaging around metal. Artefact size was measured on the slice of greatest extent. Image quality, fat saturation, image distortion, visibility of anatomical structures, and detectability of joint abnormalities were visually assessed and graded on qualitative scales. Differences between MAVRIC-SL and FSE sequences were tested with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MAVRIC-SL sequences at 3 T showed significantly smaller metal artefacts compared to FSE-STIR sequences (p < 0.0001). The general image quality of MAVRIC-SL sequences was reduced with regard to spatial resolution, noise and contrast (p = 0.001), and fat saturation (p < 0.0001). The reduction of artefact size and image distortion significantly improved visualization of joint anatomy (p < 0.0001) and diagnostic confidence regarding implant-associated abnormalities (p = 0.0075 to <0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the image quality of MAVRIC-SL sequences is limited at 3 T, its clinical application is feasible and provides important additional diagnostic information for the workup of patients with symptomatic hip replacement through substantially reduced metal artefacts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Metal artefacts compromise imaging of total hip replacement with MRI. • Metal artefacts are aggravated with 3 Tesla MRI. • MAVRIC-SL is a technique to suppress metal artefacts. • MAVRIC-SL effectively reduces metal artefacts at 3 Tesla and improves diagnostic quality.
authors: Musculoskeletal Quantitative Imaging Research Group, Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, 185 Berry Street, San Francisco, CA, 94107, USA, martin.kretzschmar@ucsf.edu.
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Kretzschmar
authors: Lorenzo
authors: L
authors: Nardo
authors: Misung M
authors: MM
authors: Han
authors: Ursula
authors: U
authors: Heilmeier
authors: Craig
authors: C
authors: Sam
authors: Gabby B
authors: GB
authors: Joseph
authors: Kevin M
authors: KM
authors: Koch
authors: Roland
authors: R
authors: Krug
authors: Thomas M
authors: TM
authors: Link
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D016477:Artifacts; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000473:pathology; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D010014:Osteolysis / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008670:Metals