Streaking Artifact Reduction using Edge Detection (SARED) in Ultrashort Echo Time Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (UTE-QSM)

Motivation: Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) in MRI is valuable for characterizing tissue composition in the human body. Ultrashort echo time (UTE) is crucial for QSM of short T2 tissues in the musculoskeletal system. Goal(s): As UTE-QSM is susceptible to motion-related streaking artifacts, our study aimed at reducing those artifacts. Approach: A novel approach called Streaking Artifact Reduction using Edge Detection (SARED) is proposed to mitigate such artifacts. The method involves edge detection, exclusion of pixels near edges, and two-step QSM processing. Results: Experimental results from knee and ankle joint imaging showed that SARED significantly reduces streaking artifacts, improving the accuracy of UTE-QSM. Impact: The proposed Streaking Artifact Reduction using Edge Detection (SARED) approach significantly reduced motion-induced streaking artifacts in ultrashort echo time quantitative susceptibility mapping (UTE-QSM), enhancing accuracy in characterizing musculoskeletal tissues.