Evaluation Of Image Quality Enhancement In 1.5T Magnetic Resonance Brain Imaging: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Background: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one of the most valuable techniques in neuroimaging because of its excellent soft-tissue contrast, non-invasive nature, and ability to produce multiplanar anatomical information ^(1,3). Improving image quality at 1.5T isessential to maximize its diagnostic value as 1.5 Tesla MRI systems remain the standard in most clinical environments due to their affordability, widespread availability, and proven diagnostic reliability. Methods: A comparative study was conducted on 41 patients undergoing routine brain MRI at 1.5T. Conventional images (pre-intervention) were compared with optimized images (post-intervention), incorporating protocol adjustments. Two independent skilled and senior radiologists, blinded to acquisition status, assessed image overall image quality using a 5-point Likert scale. Inter-rater agreement was measured with Cohen’s kappa test. Results: A total of 53 patients underwent brain MRI at 1.5T during the study period. Of these, 12 cases were excluded according to the predefined exclusion criteria. The final analysis was therefore conducted on 41 patients, which met the sample size requirement for this exploratory study. Where male candidates are 35 and females were 18 only (randomly selected) Two independent radiologists evaluatedoverall image quality. Inter-rater agreement for the overall image quality was found to be moderate, with a Cohen’s kappa (κ) value of 0.53. Agreement demonstrated fair concordance between raters. Overall, post-optimization images were consistently rated higher than conventional images across all quality domains. Comparative assessment indicated improvements in sharpness and contrast, with a noticeable reduction in artifacts as well following the application of optimization strategies. Conclusion: Image optimization strategies can substantially improve diagnostic quality in 1.5T brain MRI, with measurable gains in clarity, and artifact reduction. These findings highlight the potential for protocol refinement and image processing techniques to enhance routine neuroimaging practice at 1.5T. Further large-scale studies are recommended to validate these preliminary observations.