Effect of acoustic noise reduction technology on image quality: a multivendor study

• Published in: Radiological physics and technology Vol. 16; no. 2; pp. 235 - 243
• Main Authors: Yamashiro, Takanobu, Takatsu, Yasuo, Morita, Kosuke, Nakamura, Masafumi, Yukimura, Yoshihiro, Nakajima, Kazuhiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Nature Singapore 01.06.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acoustic noise; Acoustic resonance; Acoustics; Angiography; Attenuation; Brain; Brain - pathology; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Humans; Image degradation; Image quality; Imaging; Magnetic Resonance Angiography; Magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Medical and Radiation Physics; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Noise reduction; Nuclear Medicine; Radiology; Radiotherapy; Recovery; Research Article; Sound pressure; Hearing protection; Magnetic resonance imaging; Acoustic noise; Noise reduction; Gradient waveform
• ISSN: 1865-0333; 1865-0341
• DOI: 10.1007/s12194-023-00712-7

The purpose of this study was to clarify the appropriate use of a combination of pulse sequences and acoustic noise reduction technology in general-purpose brain magnetic resonance imaging. Five pulse sequences commonly used in brain magnetic resonance imaging examinations—turbo spin-echo T2-weighted imaging, T1-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, diffusion-weighted imaging, and magnetic resonance angiography—were performed on healthy participants at three vendors where acoustic noise reduction technology was available. The results showed that acoustic noise reduction technology reduced sound pressure levels and altered image quality in all pulse sequences across all vendors’ magnetic resonance imaging scanners. Although T2-weighted imaging and T1-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery resulted in little image quality degradation, T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, diffusion-weighted imaging, and magnetic resonance angiography had significant image degradation. Therefore, acoustic noise reduction technology should be used with caution.