Diffusion-weighted imaging of the abdomen using echo planar imaging with compressed SENSE: Feasibility, image quality, and ADC value evaluation

Abstract Objective To evaluate the feasibility, image quality, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) using echo planar imaging (EPI) with Compressed SENSE (EPICS-DWI) of the abdomen and to compare them with conventional single-shot EPI with parallel imaging (PI) technique (PI-DWI). Materials and Methods This prospective study included 46 participants with known or suspected upper abdominal diseases (19 men and 27 women, mean age, 68 years) who underwent MRI. DWI acquisition was performed using free-breathing two-dimensional fat-suppressed PI-DWI and EPICS-DWI with SENSE or compressed sensing (CS) factor, 3.0. Moreover, image noise and contour of liver and pancreas were qualitatively evaluated using a five-point scale. The mean ADC value and standard deviation (SD) of the liver, pancreas, and spleen were measured, and the coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated. Qualitative and quantitative parameters were compared between PI-DWI and EPICS-DWI using the Wilcoxon test. Results The mean image quality scores for image noise and contour of liver and pancreas were higher in EPICS-DWI compared with PI-DWI (P  Conclusion EPICS-DWI could be feasible in MRI of the abdomen and significantly improve image quality compared with PI-DWI in aggressive setting. ADC value measurements were higher in EPICS-DWI compared with PI-DWI.