Table 1 Four categories for qualitative image quality assessment. (A) overall diagnostic image quality (range 0–3), (B) sequence-related artifact (7 criteria range 0–3, maximum total score 21), (C) patient related artifact (2 criteria with range 0–3, total maximum score 6) and (D) perceived signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) (range 0–3). (B) Score for sequence related artifact relates to total number of slices acquired (artifact present in 1, 2 or 3 slices would score 1, 2 and 3 respectively for 3 slice balanced steady state free precession (bSSFP); artifact present in 1–2, 3–4 or 5–6 slices would score 1, 2 and 3 respectively for 6-slice SMS)
Qualitative Criteria for perfusion Imaging | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | maximum score | |
A. Overall Diagnostic Image Quality | |||||
poor image quality and non-diagnostic | major artifact present but not limiting diagnosis | minor artifact present but not limiting diagnosis | excellent | 3 | |
3 | |||||
B. Sequence related artifact | |||||
Wrap around | none | 1 slice | 2 slices | 3 slices | 3 |
Respiratory ghosting | none | 1 slice | 2 slices | 3 slices | 3 |
Cardiac ghosting | none | 1 slice | 2 slices | 3 slices | 3 |
Image blurring | none | 1 slice | 2 slices | 3 slices | 3 |
Metallic artifact | none | 1 slice | 2 slices | 3 slices | 3 |
Banding artifact | none | 1 slice | 2 slices | 3 slices | 3 |
Cardiac Motion | none | 1 slice | 2 slices | 3 slices | 3 |
21 | |||||
C. Patient / equipment related artifact | |||||
Breathing motion | none | minor artifact present but not limiting diagnosis | major artifact present but not limiting diagnosis | non-diagnostic | 3 |
ECG mistriggers | none | 1 mistriggers | 2 mistriggers | > 2 mistriggers | 3 |
6 | |||||
D. Perceived Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) | |||||
very poor SNR non-diagnostic image quality | minor noise present but not limiting diagnosis | major noise present but not limiting diagnosis | high SNR with excellent image quality | 3 | |
3 | |||||