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Evaluation of Software-Optimized Protocols for Acoustic Noise Reduction During Brain MRI at 7 Tesla

Glans, Anton ; Wennberg, Linda LU ; Wilén, Jonna ; Lindgren, Lenita ; Sundgren, Pia C. LU orcid ; Mårtensson, Johan LU ; Markenroth Bloch, Karin LU orcid and Hansson, Boel LU (2025) In Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Abstract

Background: MR-generated acoustic noise may be particularly concerning at 7-Tesla (T) systems. Noise levels can be reduced by altering gradient output using software optimization. However, such alterations might influence image quality or prolong scan times, and these optimizations have not been well characterized. Purpose: To evaluate image quality, sound pressure levels (SPLs), and perceived noise levels when using the acoustic noise reduction technique SofTone for T2-weighted fast spin echo (T2W FSE) and three-dimensional T1-weighted turbo field echo (3D T1W TFE), and to compare with conventional imaging during 7-T brain MRI. Study Type: Prospective. Subjects: Twenty-eight volunteers... (More)

Background: MR-generated acoustic noise may be particularly concerning at 7-Tesla (T) systems. Noise levels can be reduced by altering gradient output using software optimization. However, such alterations might influence image quality or prolong scan times, and these optimizations have not been well characterized. Purpose: To evaluate image quality, sound pressure levels (SPLs), and perceived noise levels when using the acoustic noise reduction technique SofTone for T2-weighted fast spin echo (T2W FSE) and three-dimensional T1-weighted turbo field echo (3D T1W TFE), and to compare with conventional imaging during 7-T brain MRI. Study Type: Prospective. Subjects: Twenty-eight volunteers underwent brain MRI, with n = 26 for image quality evaluations. Field Strength/Sequence: Conventional and SofTone versions of T2W FSE and 3D T1W TFE at 7 T. Assessment: Peak SPLs (A-weighted decibels, dBA), participant-perceived noise levels (Borg CR10-scale), qualitative image assessments by three neuroradiologists (four-graded ordinal scales), interrater reliability, and percentage agreement. Statistical Test: Paired t-test, Wilcoxon's Signed-Rank Test, and Krippendorff's alpha; p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: SofTone significantly reduced peak SPLs: from 116.3 to 97.0 dBA on T2W FSE, and from 123.7 to 101.5 dBA on 3D T1W TFE. SofTone was perceived as significantly quieter than conventional scanning. T2W FSE showed no significant differences in image quality assessments (p = 0.21–1.00), except one radiologist noting significantly less artifact interference with SofTone. General image quality remained acceptable for 3D T1W TFE, though one radiologist scored it significantly lower with SofTone (mean scores: 3.08 vs. 3.65), and two radiologists observed significantly worse white and gray matter differentiation with SofTone (mean scores: 3.19 vs. 3.54; 2.27 vs. 2.81). Data Conclusion: SofTone can significantly reduce sound intensity and perceived noise levels while maintaining acceptable image quality with T2W FSE and 3D T1W TFE in brain MRI. It appears to be an effective tool for providing a safer, quieter 7-T scan environment. Evidence Level: 4. Technical Efficacy: Stage 5.

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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
hearing protection, MR safety, software optimization, ultra-high field MRI
in
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
publisher
John Wiley & Sons Inc.
external identifiers
  • scopus:86000345996
  • pmid:40048635
ISSN
1053-1807
DOI
10.1002/jmri.29749
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
id
a195c83c-75d8-4859-88a8-db056f3b130f
date added to LUP
2025-06-25 09:26:04
date last changed
2025-07-09 11:37:57
@article{a195c83c-75d8-4859-88a8-db056f3b130f,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background: MR-generated acoustic noise may be particularly concerning at 7-Tesla (T) systems. Noise levels can be reduced by altering gradient output using software optimization. However, such alterations might influence image quality or prolong scan times, and these optimizations have not been well characterized. Purpose: To evaluate image quality, sound pressure levels (SPLs), and perceived noise levels when using the acoustic noise reduction technique SofTone for T<sub>2</sub>-weighted fast spin echo (T<sub>2</sub>W FSE) and three-dimensional T<sub>1</sub>-weighted turbo field echo (3D T<sub>1</sub>W TFE), and to compare with conventional imaging during 7-T brain MRI. Study Type: Prospective. Subjects: Twenty-eight volunteers underwent brain MRI, with n = 26 for image quality evaluations. Field Strength/Sequence: Conventional and SofTone versions of T<sub>2</sub>W FSE and 3D T<sub>1</sub>W TFE at 7 T. Assessment: Peak SPLs (A-weighted decibels, dBA), participant-perceived noise levels (Borg CR10-scale), qualitative image assessments by three neuroradiologists (four-graded ordinal scales), interrater reliability, and percentage agreement. Statistical Test: Paired t-test, Wilcoxon's Signed-Rank Test, and Krippendorff's alpha; p &lt; 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: SofTone significantly reduced peak SPLs: from 116.3 to 97.0 dBA on T<sub>2</sub>W FSE, and from 123.7 to 101.5 dBA on 3D T<sub>1</sub>W TFE. SofTone was perceived as significantly quieter than conventional scanning. T<sub>2</sub>W FSE showed no significant differences in image quality assessments (p = 0.21–1.00), except one radiologist noting significantly less artifact interference with SofTone. General image quality remained acceptable for 3D T<sub>1</sub>W TFE, though one radiologist scored it significantly lower with SofTone (mean scores: 3.08 vs. 3.65), and two radiologists observed significantly worse white and gray matter differentiation with SofTone (mean scores: 3.19 vs. 3.54; 2.27 vs. 2.81). Data Conclusion: SofTone can significantly reduce sound intensity and perceived noise levels while maintaining acceptable image quality with T<sub>2</sub>W FSE and 3D T<sub>1</sub>W TFE in brain MRI. It appears to be an effective tool for providing a safer, quieter 7-T scan environment. Evidence Level: 4. Technical Efficacy: Stage 5.</p>}},
  author       = {{Glans, Anton and Wennberg, Linda and Wilén, Jonna and Lindgren, Lenita and Sundgren, Pia C. and Mårtensson, Johan and Markenroth Bloch, Karin and Hansson, Boel}},
  issn         = {{1053-1807}},
  keywords     = {{hearing protection; MR safety; software optimization; ultra-high field MRI}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{John Wiley & Sons Inc.}},
  series       = {{Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging}},
  title        = {{Evaluation of Software-Optimized Protocols for Acoustic Noise Reduction During Brain MRI at 7 Tesla}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmri.29749}},
  doi          = {{10.1002/jmri.29749}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}