Motivation: Traditionally acquired 3D MP2RAGE datasets are liable to motion artefacts due to long scan times. This is exacerbated in neonatal scanning when motion is involuntary and unpredictable. Goal(s): Combine an optimized MP2RAGE 7T neonatal protocol with DISORDER joint motion estimation and image reconstruction and implement Gadgetron inline reconstruction. Approach: A neonatal cohort was scanned at 7T using our motion corrected MP2RAGE acquisition. Reconstructions were processed offline or inline before qualitative and quantitative assessment of image quality. Results: Images after motion correction are sharper and show reduction in image artefacts across all 18 datasets. Quantitative metrics and radiologist scores are improved with statistical significance. Impact: DISORDER acquisition and reconstruction significantly improves the quality of T1w neonatal imaging at 7T using MP2RAGE, as indicated by both quantitative metrics and radiological scoring. Deployment of Gadgetron-based inline DISORDER reconstruction enables scanner preview of the motion corrected 3D volumes.
West et al. (Tue,) studied this question.