Singer L, Möhle TA, Mennecke A, Huhn K, Rothhammer V, Schmidt M, Dörfler A, Lang S (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Book Volume: 16
Article Number: 317
Journal Issue: 2
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics16020317
Background: Automated AI-based brain volumetry is increasingly used in clinical practice. T1-weighted sequences (e.g., MPRAGE) are considered the current state-of-the art. However, due to faster acquisition and higher in-plane resolution, 2D anisotropic sequences are often preferred in clinical routine. However, these sequences cannot be processed with currently available AI-volumetry software. Thus, we here aimed to evaluate volumetric data from synthetic MPRAGE-like sequences (mprAIge). Methods: We analyzed 412 datasets (206 conventional MPRAGE and 206 T2w/FLAIR) from healthy volunteers (n = 36) and patients with multiple sclerosis (n = 140). Synthetic mprAIge was generated using SynthSR-CNN and assessed via assemblyNET on the volBrain platform. Total brain volume (TBV), gray and white matter volume (GMV/WMV), and key substructures were compared between mprAIge and conventional MPRAGE. Average volume differences (AVDs) and correlations were calculated. Results: Synthetic mprAIge was generated successfully in all 206 cases. Quantitative analysis demonstrated strong correlation and high agreement for key substructures. TBV showed excellent agreement (AVD: 2.75% for controls, 3.90% for MS patients; r = 0.99 and 0.97, respectively). White matter volume exhibited excellent agreement (AVD: −1.92% for controls, 0.28% for MS patients; r = 0.95). Hippocampal volume also demonstrated good to excellent agreement (AVD: 1.13% for controls, −1.92% for MS patients; r = 0.91 and 0.89, respectively). Conclusions: Synthetic mprAIge enables AI-volumetry software application without limitations. Its volumetric assessments align well with conventional MPRAGE, opening new opportunities for volumetric post-processing and mapping of disease progression.
APA:
Singer, L., Möhle, T.A., Mennecke, A., Huhn, K., Rothhammer, V., Schmidt, M.,... Lang, S. (2026). AI-Based Brain Volumetry Without MPRAGE? Evaluation of Synthetic T1-MPRAGE from 2D T2/FLAIR †. Diagnostics, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16020317
MLA:
Singer, Ludwig, et al. "AI-Based Brain Volumetry Without MPRAGE? Evaluation of Synthetic T1-MPRAGE from 2D T2/FLAIR †." Diagnostics 16.2 (2026).
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