Application value of deep learning-based rapid MRCP imaging in examination of patients with breath holding difficulties

doi:10.16150/j.1671-2870.2025.06.008

Abstract

Abstract:

Objective To compare the image quality of rapid deep learning (RDL)-based three-dimensional (3D) breath holding (BH) magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and that of conventional 3D BH MRCP in patients unable to cooperate with breath holding. Methods A total of 50 patients with poor breath holding cooperation who underwent MRCP examination at Ruijin Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January to March 2025 were prospectively enrolled for scanning with 3D BH DLS MRCP(DLS group) and BH 3D MRCP(MRCP group) sequences successively. The scanning duration of the two sequences were compared. Objective analysis including the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the images, as well as subjective analysis including the overall image quality, background suppression, and visualization of the pancreatic and biliary ducts in both groups were compared. Results The averge scanning duration was 11 s for the 3D BH DLS MRCP group and 17 s for the 3D BH MRCP group, indicating a significant reduction in scanning time for 3D BH DLS MRCP (P<0.05). Objective analysis revealed that both the SNR (23.76±9.23) and CNR (28.89±11.49) of 3D BH DLS MRCP were higher than those of 3D BH MRCP [(17.15±6.85), (22.03±8.79)] (P<0.05). Subjective image analysis showed that 3D BH DLS MRCP outperformed 3D BH MRCP in overall image quality scores (3.80±0.32 vs 3.10±0.44), background suppression (3.64±0.40 vs 3.33±0.51), and visualization of pancreaticobiliary duct segments (3.53±0.37 vs 3.08±0.56) with an upward trend(P>0.05). Results of all 50 cases in the 3D BH DLS MRCP sequence met the diagnostic requirements, while of 5 cases in the 3D BH MRCP sequence did not, with a statistically significant difference between the two sequences (P<0.05). Conclusions In cases where breath holding is impossible or poorly performed, the use of 3D BH DLS MRCP could significantly shortens examination time, with image quality of the same level as BH 3D MRCP, and meets clinical diagnostic requirements.

Key words: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, Rapid deep learning, Breath holding

CLC Number:

R445.2

KONG Deyan, GAO Yiyang, Zhang Caoyang, DONG Haipeng, YAN Fuhua, YUAN Ziyang, DAI Jiankun, LIU Fangtao. Application value of deep learning-based rapid MRCP imaging in examination of patients with breath holding difficulties[J]. Journal of Diagnostics Concepts & Practice, 2025, 24(06): 628-633.

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Group	Overall image quality	Background suppression	Pancreaticobiliary duct visualization
3D BH DLS MRCP	3.80$\pm $0.32	3.64$\pm $0.40	3.53$\pm $0.37
3D BH MRCP	3.10$\pm $0.44	3.33$\pm $0.51	3.08$\pm $0.56
P value	0.450	0.117	0.263