Robustness of Quantitative Diffusion Metrics from Four Models: A Prospective Study on the Influence of Scan‐Rescans, Voxel Size, Coils, and Observers

Abstract

BackgroundQuantitative diffusion metrics provide additional microstructural information of diseases. The robustness of quantitative diffusion metrics should be established before clinical application.PurposeTo evaluate the variability and reproducibility of quantitative diffusion MRI metrics.Study TypeProspective.Population14 volunteers (7 men; median age, range, 28, 26–59 years).Field strength/Sequence3.0‐T/Diffusion spectrum imaging.AssessmentBrain MRI studies were performed four times per subject: involving different combinations of coil types and voxel sizes. Regions of interest of 13 brain anatomical sites were drawn by one observer twice and another observer once to allow interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility assessment. Twenty‐five quantitative metrics were calculated using four diffusion models.Statistical TestsThe variability was evaluated with coefficients of variation (CV), and quartile coefficient of dispersion (QCD). The reproducibility was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare the influence of factors on robustness of quantitative diffusion metrics. A two‐tailed P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe variability of quantitative diffusion metrics showed CV of 2.4%–68.2%, and QCD of 0.6%–48.2%, respectively. The reproducibility of scans using 20‐channel coils with voxels of 2 × 2 × 2 mm3 and 3 × 3 × 3 mm3, respectively (ICC 0.03–0.84, CCC 0.03–0.84) was significantly worse than that of repeated scans using a 20‐channel coil with a voxel size of 2 × 2 × 2 mm3 (ICC of 0.74–0.97, CCC 0.74–0.97) and that of scans using 20‐ and 64‐channel coils, respectively, with a voxel size of 2 × 2 × 2 mm3 (ICC 0.59–0.95, CCC 0.59–0.95). The intraobserver reproducibility (ICC 0.49–0.94, CCC 0.49–0.94) was significantly better than the interobserver reproducibility (ICC 0.28–0.91, CCC 0.28–0.91).Data ConclusionOur study indicated that the voxel size has a greater influence on the reproducibility of quantitative diffusion metrics than scan‐rescans and coils. The reproducibility within one observer was higher than that between two observers.Evidence Level2Technical EfficacyStage 1