A recently proposed model-based iterative
reconstruction (MBIR) method enables to prospectively manage B0-inhomogeneity
and gradient-nonlinearity in EPI, and has been demonstrated to generate images
with high SNR and minimal spatial blurring and geometric distortion. However,
the clinical significance and degree of benefit remains undetermined. In this study,
using commodity EPI acquisition protocols for whole-brain imaging, MBIR was radiologically
compared against standard scanner-generated EPI images and post-processed
versions. The results show that significant advantage of MBIR (p<0.05) over both the standard scanner-generated
EPI results and post-processed variants was observed in three categories: SNR, geometric
accuracy, and overall image quality.
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