Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Neck Fixation Device for Improving Image Quality in Diffusion-weighted Whole-body Imaging with Background Suppression

Abstract

The effectiveness of a neck fixation device to improve the image quality of DWIBS was investigated. Healthy volunteers were examined while chewing with and without a neck fixation device using a 3-T MRI system. Distance of mandibular movement was measured using true-fast imaging of steady-state precession (true FISP). Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of DWIBS were measured. Image quality of DWIBS was scored by visual evaluation. These values were compared with and without a neck fixation device. Regarding results, the mandibular displacement and ADC were decreased, and the SNR and visual score were increased by the use of the fixation device. There is a significant difference between with and without a neck fixation device in each measurement. The technique using a neck fixation device helps improve image quality of DWIBS in the head and neck region.