Comprehensive quantification of signal-to-noise ratio and g-factor for image-based and k-space-based parallel imaging reconstructions

Philip M. Robson, Aaron K. Grant, Ananth J. Madhuranthakam, Riccardo Lattanzi, Daniel K. Sodickson, Charles A. McKenzie

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

327 Scopus citations

Abstract

Parallel imaging reconstructions result in spatially varying noise amplification characterized by the g-factor, precluding conventional measurements of noise from the final image. A simple Monte Carlo based method is proposed for all linear image reconstruction algorithms, which allows measurement of signal-to-noise ratio and g-factor and is demonstrated for SENSE and GRAPPA reconstructions for accelerated acquisitions that have not previously been amenable to such assessment. Only a simple "prescan" measurement of noise amplitude and correlation in the phased-array receiver, and a single accelerated image acquisition are required, allowing robust assessment of signal-to-noise ratio and g-factor. The "pseudo multiple replica" method has been rigorously validated in phantoms and in vivo, showing excellent agreement with true multiple replica and analytical methods. This method is universally applicable to the parallel imaging reconstruction techniques used in clinical applications and will allow pixel-by-pixel image noise measurements for all parallel imaging strategies, allowing quantitative comparison between arbitrary k-space trajectories, image reconstruction, or noise conditioning techniques.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)895-907
Number of pages13
JournalMagnetic resonance in medicine
Volume60
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2008

Keywords

  • Image noise
  • Image reconstruction
  • Parallel imaging
  • Signal-to-noise ratio
  • g-factor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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