For higher-resolution protocols, ENCODE achieved the shortest TE (67 msec), with 17-21% and 58-70% higher mean SNR compared to monopolar (TE = 77 msec) and bipolar (TE = 102 msec) in PZ and TZ (P < 0.05). For a standard-resolution protocol, ENCODE achieved similar TE as monopolar and reduced TE by 14 msec compared to bipolar, resulting in 27% and 29% higher mean SNR in prostate transition zone (TZ) and peripheral zone (PZ) (P < 0.05) compared to bipolar, respectively. SNR and ADC differences between techniques were tested with Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests (P < 0.05 considered significant).Д®ddy current suppression with ENCODE was comparable to bipolar encoding (mean coefficient of variation across three diffusion directions of 9.4% and 9%).

To evaluate eddy current nulled convex optimized diffusion encoding (ENCODE) for prostate DWI with minimal TE.ДЄ diffusion phantom, an ex vivo prostate specimen, 10 healthy male subjects (27 В± 3 years old), and five prostate cancer patients (62 В± 7 years old).ДЈT single-shot spin-echo echoplanar DWI.Д®ddy-current artifacts, TE, SNR, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and image quality scores from three independent readers were compared between monopolar, bipolar, and ENCODE prostate DWI for standard-resolution (1.6 Г— 1.6 mm 2, partial Fourier factor = 6/8) and higher-resolution protocols (1.6 Г— 1.6 mm 2, pF = off 1.0 Г— 1.0 mm 2, pF = 6/8).

Optimization of the diffusion encoding might improve prostate DWI. Twice-refocused bipolar encoding suppresses eddy current artifacts, but increases echo time (TE), leading to lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Prostate diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) using monopolar encoding is sensitive to eddy-current-induced distortion artifacts.

Activecollab nulled 2019