Improved visualization of high b-value prostate diffusion weighted imaging using LIPO-only multi-shot EPI with 2D navigator (LION-IRIS)

Motivation: One of the drawbacks of IRIS is its low SNR compared with ss-DWI. High b-value DWI improves the ability of prostate cancer detection by increased cancer conspicuity. However, such high b value images may also suffer from decreased SNR. Goal(s): We hypothesized that using only slice selection gradient reversal (SSGR, LIPO) technique without fat suppression pre-pulse (LIpo-ONly :LION) could improve the SNR of high b-value IRIS DWI. Approach: SNR,CR and ADC values were calculated with ROIs placed in internal obturator muscle and prostate region in peripheral zone. Results: LION IRIS-DWI could provide high quality distortion-free high b-value prostate DWI sufficient SNR. Impact: The present findings suggest that LION IRISs-DWI sequence demonstrated improved image distortion and blurring compared to ss-DWI, with having sufficient SNR and CR.It may help to further assess the prostate cancer pathology.