| Abstract [eng] |
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) along with computed tomography (CT) is a gold standard for diagnosis of lesions. It is known that diagnostic procedures are strictly regulated, and quality control (QC) is a part of these regulations. However, Lithuania lacks official national QC regulations for MRI and every clinic is trying to overcome this regulatory gap using its own MRI scanning protocol, most often following existing American standards providing functional standardized quality assurance protocols to fill this regulatory void. This investigation is aimed at creating and validating an MRI quality control (QC) protocol which can be used in Lithuanian clinical environments. The investigation relies on the phantom based QC measurements performed evaluating three MRI scanners: Siemens Magnetom Skyra (3T), Siemens Magnetom Altea (1.5T), and Philips Ingenia Prodiva (1.5T). Following phantom based QC tests have been performed: measurements of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), image uniformity (PIU), geometric distortion, low-contrast detectability and high-contrast spatial resolution. The obtained results matched with American OC standards showing just minor variations among devices and sequences. This allowed for development of the unified recommendations for the creation of national MRI QC protocol. The implementation of such protocol would lead to the uniform requirements for image quality, diagnostic dependability and better patient protection throughout the country. |
