Clinical application of MR PROPELLER technology in artifacts reduction

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical value of PROPELLER (periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines enhanced reconstruction, PROPELLER). Methods: Four sequences of conventionality and PROPELLER axial T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and/or diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) were performed in ten normal volunteers with head ceaseless motion and 64 clinical subjects. Motion artifacts were observed in 56 patients in unconsciousness and magnetic-sensitive artifacts in other 8 patients with metallic implants. PROPELLER images and the conventionality images were compared. Results: Sixty-four clinical subjects included the cerebral infarction (n=41), brain metastasis (n=3) and other's disorders (n=20). PROPELLER T2WI had clearer and motion-artifact-free images in both volunteers and patients in unconsciousness. In dental treatment cases, magnetic-susceptibility artifacts were greatly reduced to an accepted level. Comparing with conventional sequences, PROPELLER T2WI/DWI sequences showed promising feature in reduction of artifacts and distinctly defined pathological profile. Conclusion: MR PROPELLER technique offers a means of reducing motion and metallic artifacts, and improving image quality. Intracranial pathology is equally or better demonstrated with PROPELLER. (authors)