Utility of accelerated T2-weighted turbo spin-echo imaging with deep learning reconstruction in female pelvic MRI: a multi-reader study

Objectives To determine the clinical feasibility of T2-weighted turbo spin-echo (T2-TSE) imaging with deep learning reconstruction (DLR) in female pelvic MRI compared with conventional T2 TSE in terms of image quality and scan time. Methods Between May 2021 and September 2021, 52 women (mean age, 44 years ± 12) who underwent 3-T pelvic MRI with additional T2-TSE using a DLR algorithm were included in this single-center prospective study with patient’s informed consents. Conventional, DLR, and DLR T2-TSE images with reduced scan times were independently assessed and compared by four radiologists. The overall image quality, differentiation of anatomic details, lesion conspicuity, and artifacts were evaluated using a 5-point scale. Inter-observer agreement of the qualitative scores was compared and reader protocol preferences were then evaluated. Results In the qualitative analysis of all readers, fast DLR T2-TSE showed significantly better overall image quality, differentiation of anatomic regions, lesion conspicuity, and lesser artifacts than conventional T2-TSE and DLR T2-TSE, despite approximately 50% reduction in scan time (all p