A novel moving phantom insert for image quality assessment in magnetic resonance imaging

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new tool for testing motion compensation techniques in MRI, showing how it improves image quality during motion.

Contribution

A novel MRI phantom insert is developed for evaluating motion compensation strategies in imaging.

Findings

Motion compensation reduced slice thickness deviation from +77.5% to +5.0% in MRI scans.

The insert enables analysis of slice thickness, positional accuracy, and motion blur.

Results highlight the effectiveness of motion compensation in MRI for radiotherapy planning.

Abstract

Dedicated motion compensated Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for radiotherapy treatment planning promises to mitigate motion effects on imaging. We demonstrate a novel insert for an MRI safe motion phantom, which enables quality assurance of these image strategies. The capability to analyse apparent slice thickness, positional accuracy and motion blur is demonstrated for scenarios with and without motion. A respiratory-compensated scan with a 4 mm trigger-window and 16 mm peak-to-peak (p2p) motion showed a +5.0% deviation from the nominal 2 mm slice thickness. In contrast, a non-compensated scan with 4 mm p2p motion showed a +77.5% deviation, illustrating the effectiveness of motion compensation.

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