Abstract
The assessment of diagnostic image quality for MRI is considered. The assessment of three key image quality determinants is addressed: signal, noise and contrast. There is a distinction between random noise evaluation, for the calculation of the SNR, and structured noise evaluation for the assessment of image artefacts. Specific methods used are correlation techniques and the Wiener spectrum. Contrast is assessed by comparison of experimental data and theoretical predictions. For each assessment, the theory and method of the evaluation strategy are discussed. The discussion is illustrated with analysis results from commercial MR systems. The choice of analysis method and the subsequent derivation of quality indices are shown to be critical in respect of robustness and accuracy.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bydder, G. M. (1988): ‘Magnetic resonance imaging: present status and future perspectives’,Br. J. Radiol.,61, (730), pp. 889–897
Dainty, J. C., andShaw, R. (1974): ‘Image science’, (Academic Press, London) p. 222
Edelstein, W. A., Bottomley, P. A., andPfeifer, L. M. (1984): ‘A SIGNAL-TO-NOISE CALIBRATION PROCEDURE FOR NMR IMAGING SYSTEMS,’med. phys.,11,(2), PP. 180–236
Farrar, T. C., andBecker, E. D. (1971): ‘Pulse and Fourier transform NMR’, (Academic Press, London) pp. 7–8
Hendrick, R. E., Nelson, T. R., andHendee, W. R. (1984): ‘Phase detection and contrast loss in magnetic resonance imaging’,Magn. Reson. Imaging,2, pp. 279–283
Knowles, R. J. R., andMarkisz, J. A. (1988): ‘Quality assurance and image artifacts in magnetic resonance imaging.’ (Little Brown and Company)
Lerski, R. A. andDe Certaines, J. D. (1993): ‘Performance assessment and quality control in MRI by Eurospin test objects and protocols’,Magnet. Reson. Imaging,11, pp. 817–833
Lerski, R. A., Lunt, J. A., andBean, J. P. (1992): ‘Quality control in magnetic resonance imaging’,RAD Mag.,18, (206), pp. 19–21
Lerski, R. A., McRobbe, D. W., Straughan, K., Walker, P. M., De Certaines, J. D., andBernard, A. M. (1988): ‘Multi-center trial with protocols and prototype test objects for the assessment of MRI equipment’,Magnet. Reson. Imaging,6, pp. 201–214
Lerski, R. A., Straughan, K., andWilliams, J. L. (1986): ‘Practical aspects of ghosting in resistive nuclear magnetic resonance imaging systems’,Phys. Med. Biol,31, pp. 721–735
Nelson, T. R., Hendrick, R. E., andHendee, W. R. (1984): ‘Selection of pulse sequences producing maximum tissue contrast in magnetic resonance imaging’,Magnet. Reson. Imaging,2, pp. 285–294
Nema (1988): ‘Determination of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in diagnostic magnetic resonance images’. Document MS 1, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, 2101 L Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20037, USA
Nema (1989a): ‘Determination of two dimensional geometric distortion in diagnostic magnetic resonance images’.Document MS 2, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, 2101 L Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20037, USA
Nema (1989b): ‘Determination of image uniformity in diagnostic magnetic resonance images’. Document MS 3, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, 2101 L Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20037, USA
Nema (1989c): ‘Acoustic noise measurement procedure for diagnostic magnetic resonance images,’ Document MS 4, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, 2101 L Street N.W. Washington, DC 20037, USA
Och, I. G., Clarke, G. D., Sobol, W. T., Rosen, C. W., andMun, S. K. (1992): ‘Acceptance testing of magnetic resonance imaging systems: Report of AAPM nuclear magnetic resonance’,Med. Phys.,19, (1), pp. 217–229
Ortendahl, D. A., Crooks, L. E., andKaufman, L. (1983): ‘A comparison of the noise characteristics of projection reconstruction and two dimensional fourier transforms in NMR Imaging’,IEEE Trans. NS-30 (1), pp. 692–696
Press, W. H., Flannery, B. P., Teukolsky, S. A., andVetterling, W. T. (1988): ‘Numerical recipes in C’. (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge) pp. 400–401
Price, R. R., Axel, L., Morgan, T., Newman, R., Perman, W., Schneiders, N., Selikson, M., Wood, M., andThomas, S. R. (1990): ‘Quality assurance methods and phantoms for magnetic resonance imaging: report of AAPM nuclear magnetic resonance task group no. 1a’,Med. Phys.,17, (2), pp. 287–295
Rosen, B. R., Pykett, I. L. andBrady, T. J. (1984): ‘Spin lattice relaxation time measurements in two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance imaging: corrections for plane selection and pulse sequence’,J. Comput. Assit. Tomogr.,8, (2), pp. 195–199
UKDepartment of Health (1990–1996): ‘MDA reports on the assessment of the imaging performance of MR Imaging Systems.’ DH (Leaflets) PO Box 21, Stanmore, Middlesex, HA7 1AY, UK
Wehrli, F. W., Shaw, D., andKneeland, J. B. (1991): ‘Biomedical magnetic resonance imaging: principles, methodology, and applications’, (VCH Publishers, New York) pp. 47–112
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
De Wilde, J.P., Lunt, J.A. & Straughan, K. Information in magnetic resonance images: evaluation of signal, noise and contrast. Med. Biol. Eng. Comput. 35, 259–265 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02530047
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02530047