Deep learning-accelerated T2-weighted imaging of the prostate: Reduction of acquisition time and improvement of image quality

Purpose: To introduce a novel deep learning (DL) T2-weighted TSE imaging (T2_DL) sequence in prostate MRI and investigate its impact on examination time, image quality, diagnostic confidence, and PI-RADS classification compared to standard T2-weighted TSE imaging (T2_S).

Method: Thirty patients who underwent multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) of the prostate due to suspicion of prostatic cancer were included in this retrospective study. Standard sequences were acquired consisting of T1- and T2-weighted imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging as well as the novel T2_DL. Axial acquisition time of T2_S was 4:37 min compared to 1:38 min of T2_DL. Two radiologists independently evaluated all imaging datasets in a blinded reading regarding image quality, lesion detectability, and diagnostic confidence using a Likert-scale ranging from 1 to 4 with 4 being the best. T2 score as well as PI-RADS score were obtained for the most malignant lesion.

Results: Mean patient age was 65 ± 11 years. Noise levels and overall image quality were rated significantly superior by both readers with a median of 4 in T2_DL compared to a median of 3 in T2_S (all p < 0.001). Lesion detectability was also rated higher in T2_DL by both readers with a median of 4 versus a median of 3 in T2_S (p = 0.005 and <0.001, respectively). There was no difference regarding PI-RADS scoring between T2_DL and T2_S affecting patient management.

Conclusions: Deep learning axial T2w TSE imaging of the prostate is feasible with reduction of examination time of 65 % compared to standard imaging and improvement of image quality and lesion detectability.