Ultra-fast single-sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for lower back pain: diagnostic performance of a deep learning T2-Dixon pprotocol
Background - Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols for lower back pain require multiple sequences and long acquisition times, challenging healthcare systems amid rising demand for lumbar spine imaging. - AIM - To assess the diagnostic performance of an abbreviated, deep learning-ac...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
September 2025
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| In: |
Clinical radiology
Year: 2025, Volume: 88, Pages: 1-9 |
| ISSN: | 1365-229X |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.crad.2025.106987 |
| Online Access: | Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crad.2025.106987 Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009926025001928 
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| Author Notes: | T. D. Diallo, S. Wiedemann, Z. Berkarda, R. Strecker, D. Nickel, F. Bamberg, A. Rau, T. Mayrhofer, M. F. Russe, J. Weiss |
| Summary: | Background - Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols for lower back pain require multiple sequences and long acquisition times, challenging healthcare systems amid rising demand for lumbar spine imaging. - AIM - To assess the diagnostic performance of an abbreviated, deep learning-accelerated sagittal T2w Dixon single sequence protocol (Protocolabb-DL) versus the standard lumbar spine MRI protocol (Protocolstd). - MATERIALS AND METHODS - In this prospective, single-centre study, 30 patients (mean age: 48 ± 18.5 years; 67% female) with lower back pain (LBP) underwent a single MRI examination using both Protocolstd (sagittal T1w and T2w turbo spin-echo sequences) and Protocolabb-DL. A senior radiologist (15 years experience) established the diagnostic reference standard using Protocolstd. Two independent readers (10 and 5 years’ experience) evaluated the images at a segmental level for degenerative pathologies, including Modic changes, disc pathology, facet arthropathy, neuroforaminal stenosis, and Schmorl nodes. Diagnostic performance, confidence, interprotocol, and interobserver agreements were analysed. - RESULTS - Protocolabb-DL reduced acquisition time by 80% at 1.5 Tesla (1:33 vs 7:43 minutes) and 84% at 3 Tesla (1:26 vs 8:43 minutes). Diagnostic performance was high, with sensitivities up to 100% [95% CI, 90.7-100.0] for Modic changes and 94.7% [95% CI, 87.1-98.5] for disc pathology, and specificities up to 100% [95% CI, 97.8-100.0] for Schmorl nodes. Diagnostic confidence was comparable between protocols (P > 0.05). Interprotocol agreement was excellent (κ: 0.84-1.00), and interobserver agreement for Protocolabb-DL was substantial to excellent (κ: 0.67-0.93). - CONCLUSION - Protocolabb-DL provides diagnostic performance comparable to Protocolstd for degenerative lumbar spine pathologies while reducing acquisition time by up to 84%. |
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| Item Description: | Online verfügbar: 11. Juni 2025, Artikelversion: 8. Juli 2025 Gesehen am 20.08.2025 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 1365-229X |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.crad.2025.106987 |