Introduction
Clinical validation studies have demonstrated the ability of accelerated MRI sequences
to decrease acquisition time and motion artifact while preserving image quality. The
operational benefits, however, have been less explored. Here, we report our initial
clinical experience in implementing fast MRI techniques for outpatient brain imaging
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
Aggregate acquisition times were extracted from the medical record on consecutive
imaging examinations performed during matched pre-implementation (7/1/2019-12/31/2019)
and post-implementation periods (7/1/2020-12/31/2020). Expected acquisition time reduction
for each MRI protocol was calculated through manual collection of acquisition times
for the conventional and accelerated sequences performed during the pre- and post-implementation
periods. Aggregate and expected acquisition times were compared for the five most
frequently performed brain MRI protocols: brain without contrast (BR-), brain with
and without contrast (BR+), multiple sclerosis (MS), memory loss (MML), and epilepsy
(EPL).
Results
The expected time reductions for BR-, BR+, MS, MML, and EPL protocols were 6.6 min,
11.9 min, 14 min, 10.8 min, and 14.1 min, respectively. The overall median aggregate
acquisition time was 31 [25, 36] min for the pre-implementation period and 18 [15,
22] min for the post-implementation period, with a difference of 13 min (42%). The
median acquisition time was reduced by 4 min (25%) for BR-, 14.0 min (44%) for BR+,
14 min (38%) for MS, 11 min (52%) for MML, and 16 min (35%) for EPL.
Conclusion
The implementation of fast brain MRI sequences significantly reduced the acquisition
times for the most commonly performed outpatient brain MRI protocols.
Key Words
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: October 08, 2021
Accepted:
July 2,
2021
Received in revised form:
June 29,
2021
Received:
April 24,
2021
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2021 The Association of University Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
