Evaluation of Software‐Optimized Protocols for Acoustic Noise Reduction During Brain MRI at 7 Tesla

• Published in: Journal of magnetic resonance imaging Vol. 62; no. 2; pp. 577 - 587
• Main Authors: Glans, Anton, Wennberg, Linda, Wilén, Jonna, Lindgren, Lenita, Sundgren, Pia C., Mårtensson, Johan, Markenroth Bloch, Karin, Hansson, Boel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.08.2025; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Acceptable noise levels; Acoustic noise; Acoustics; Adult; Background noise; Brain; Brain - diagnostic imaging; Clinical Medicine; Decibels; Effectiveness; Engineering and Technology; Female; Field strength; hearing protection; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods; Image quality; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Klinisk medicin; Magnetic resonance imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Male; Medical and Health Sciences; Medical Engineering; Medical Imaging; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Medicinsk bildvetenskap; Medicinteknik; Middle Aged; MR safety; Neuroimaging; Noise - prevention & control; Noise levels; Noise reduction; Prospective Studies; Quality assessment; Radiologi och bildbehandling; Radiology and Medical Imaging; Rank tests; Reproducibility of Results; Software; software optimization; Sound intensity; Sound pressure; Statistical analysis; Statistical tests; Substantia grisea; Teknik; ultra-high field MRI; Young Adult; ultra‐high field MRI; MR safety; software optimization; hearing protection
• ISSN: 1053-1807; 1522-2586; 1522-2586
• DOI: 10.1002/jmri.29749

ABSTRACT Background MR‐generated acoustic noise may be particularly concerning at 7‐Tesla (T) systems. Noise levels can be reduced by altering gradient output using software optimization. However, such alterations might influence image quality or prolong scan times, and these optimizations have not been well characterized. Purpose To evaluate image quality, sound pressure levels (SPLs), and perceived noise levels when using the acoustic noise reduction technique SofTone for T2‐weighted fast spin echo (T2W FSE) and three‐dimensional T1‐weighted turbo field echo (3D T1W TFE), and to compare with conventional imaging during 7‐T brain MRI. Study Type Prospective. Subjects Twenty‐eight volunteers underwent brain MRI, with n = 26 for image quality evaluations. Field Strength/Sequence Conventional and SofTone versions of T2W FSE and 3D T1W TFE at 7 T. Assessment Peak SPLs (A‐weighted decibels, dBA), participant‐perceived noise levels (Borg CR10‐scale), qualitative image assessments by three neuroradiologists (four‐graded ordinal scales), interrater reliability, and percentage agreement. Statistical Test Paired t‐test, Wilcoxon's Signed‐Rank Test, and Krippendorff's alpha; p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results SofTone significantly reduced peak SPLs: from 116.3 to 97.0 dBA on T2W FSE, and from 123.7 to 101.5 dBA on 3D T1W TFE. SofTone was perceived as significantly quieter than conventional scanning. T2W FSE showed no significant differences in image quality assessments (p = 0.21–1.00), except one radiologist noting significantly less artifact interference with SofTone. General image quality remained acceptable for 3D T1W TFE, though one radiologist scored it significantly lower with SofTone (mean scores: 3.08 vs. 3.65), and two radiologists observed significantly worse white and gray matter differentiation with SofTone (mean scores: 3.19 vs. 3.54; 2.27 vs. 2.81). Data Conclusion SofTone can significantly reduce sound intensity and perceived noise levels while maintaining acceptable image quality with T2W FSE and 3D T1W TFE in brain MRI. It appears to be an effective tool for providing a safer, quieter 7‐T scan environment. Evidence Level: 4 Technical Efficacy: Stage 5