Acquisition-Independent Deep Learning for Quantitative MRI Parameter Estimation using Neural Controlled Differential Equations

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Kuppens, Daan, Barbieri, Sebastiano, Berg, Daisy van den, Schouten, Pepijn, Thoeny, Harriet C., Wennen, Myrte, Gurney-Champion, Oliver J.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Kuppens, Daan
Barbieri, Sebastiano
Berg, Daisy van den
Schouten, Pepijn
Thoeny, Harriet C.
Wennen, Myrte
Gurney-Champion, Oliver J.
author_facet Kuppens, Daan
Barbieri, Sebastiano
Berg, Daisy van den
Schouten, Pepijn
Thoeny, Harriet C.
Wennen, Myrte
Gurney-Champion, Oliver J.
contents Deep learning has proven to be a suitable alternative to least-squares (LSQ) fitting for parameter estimation in various quantitative MRI (QMRI) models. However, current deep learning implementations are not robust to changes in MR acquisition protocols. In practice, QMRI acquisition protocols differ substantially between different studies and clinical settings. The lack of generalizability and adoptability of current deep learning approaches for QMRI parameter estimation impedes the implementation of these algorithms in clinical trials and clinical practice. Neural Controlled Differential Equations (NCDEs) allow for the sampling of incomplete and irregularly sampled data with variable length, making them ideal for use in QMRI parameter estimation. In this study, we show that NCDEs can function as a generic tool for the accurate prediction of QMRI parameters, regardless of QMRI sequence length, configuration of independent variables and QMRI forward model (variable flip angle T1-mapping, intravoxel incoherent motion MRI, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI). NCDEs achieved lower mean squared error than LSQ fitting in low-SNR simulations and in vivo in challenging anatomical regions like the abdomen and leg, but this improvement was no longer evident at high SNR. NCDEs reduce estimation error interquartile range without increasing bias, particularly under conditions of high uncertainty. These findings suggest that NCDEs offer a robust approach for reliable QMRI parameter estimation, especially in scenarios with high uncertainty or low image quality. We believe that with NCDEs, we have solved one of the main challenges for using deep learning for QMRI parameter estimation in a broader clinical and research setting.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2412_20844
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Acquisition-Independent Deep Learning for Quantitative MRI Parameter Estimation using Neural Controlled Differential Equations
Kuppens, Daan
Barbieri, Sebastiano
Berg, Daisy van den
Schouten, Pepijn
Thoeny, Harriet C.
Wennen, Myrte
Gurney-Champion, Oliver J.
Medical Physics
Machine Learning
Deep learning has proven to be a suitable alternative to least-squares (LSQ) fitting for parameter estimation in various quantitative MRI (QMRI) models. However, current deep learning implementations are not robust to changes in MR acquisition protocols. In practice, QMRI acquisition protocols differ substantially between different studies and clinical settings. The lack of generalizability and adoptability of current deep learning approaches for QMRI parameter estimation impedes the implementation of these algorithms in clinical trials and clinical practice. Neural Controlled Differential Equations (NCDEs) allow for the sampling of incomplete and irregularly sampled data with variable length, making them ideal for use in QMRI parameter estimation. In this study, we show that NCDEs can function as a generic tool for the accurate prediction of QMRI parameters, regardless of QMRI sequence length, configuration of independent variables and QMRI forward model (variable flip angle T1-mapping, intravoxel incoherent motion MRI, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI). NCDEs achieved lower mean squared error than LSQ fitting in low-SNR simulations and in vivo in challenging anatomical regions like the abdomen and leg, but this improvement was no longer evident at high SNR. NCDEs reduce estimation error interquartile range without increasing bias, particularly under conditions of high uncertainty. These findings suggest that NCDEs offer a robust approach for reliable QMRI parameter estimation, especially in scenarios with high uncertainty or low image quality. We believe that with NCDEs, we have solved one of the main challenges for using deep learning for QMRI parameter estimation in a broader clinical and research setting.
title Acquisition-Independent Deep Learning for Quantitative MRI Parameter Estimation using Neural Controlled Differential Equations
topic Medical Physics
Machine Learning
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.20844