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Introduction
In the context of the ever-increasing importance of structural high-resolution magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI), it is widely acknowledged that quality assurance (QA) is a key aspect for
reliable medical diagnosis and analysis of imaging data [1] [2]. QA should be reproducible,
objective and accessible. However, recent studies indicate a large within- and inter-rater
variability for MRI QA even for trained experts [3] [4]. Furthermore, visual inspection may not
be feasible for very large datasets. Automated approaches for quality control of structural MR
images exist [3]. However, those approaches are mostly limited to noise and inhomogeneity.
Additional image degradations, e.g. motion artifacts and anatomical changes cannot be detected.
Systematic QA has even higher significance in the field of real-time functional imaging
(rtfMRI). rtfMRI-based neurofeedback studies rely on the provision of a feedback signal with
sufficient quality. While online artefact correction is available, a standardized evaluation of the
quality parameters is still lacking (e.g. motion parameters).
In recent years, machine-learning approaches based on deep artificial neural networks (DNN)
demonstrated their potential in advanced pattern recognition and classification tasks in the
medical domain [5]. A DNN trained on specific task is capable to perform this task rapidly,
making DNNs perfect candidates for real-time online image analysis. Consequently, we
investigated the applicability of deep neural networks for automated QA of MR images.
1
Network accuracy is measured by the ratio of correctly classified image volumes to the total
number of volumes in a dataset. Our trained network yielded a mean accuracy of 80.14±1.52 in
five-fold cross-validation for random head movement classification and 95.42±1.37 for anatomical
left-right flips due to coding errors.
In summary, real-time QA of brain MR images using neural networks is feasible for anatomical
images and can be used to detect images with relevant artefacts and unexpected anatomical
anomalies. Computational time for quality parameters of a single MR image is below one second
on standard personal computer, confirming that DNNs can be utilized in real-time applications.
Application of DNN in real-time QA to rtfMRI and other imaging modalities will be further
investigated.
References
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D, Quantitative assessment of structural image quality, NeuroImage, 2018, 169, p. 407–
418
[3] Gaser C, Dahnke R, CAT-A Computational Anatomy Toolbox for the Analysis of
Structural MRI Data, HBM, 2016, p. 336–348
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surface reconstruction, Neuroimage 9, 1999, p.179–194
[5] Jose Bernal, Kaisar Kushibar, Daniel S. Asfaw, Sergi Valverde, Arnau Oliver, Robert
Martí, Xavier Lladó, Deep convolutional neural networks for brain image analysis on
magnetic resonance imaging: a review, CoRR, 2017
[6] Caspers et al., Studying variability in human brain aging in a population-based German
cohort-rationale and design of 1000BRAINS, Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 6, 2014,
p. 149