MAGORINO: Magnitude-only fat fraction and R* 2 estimation with Rician noise modeling

Abstract

Purpose: Magnitude-based fitting of chemical shift-encoded data enables proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and $R_2^{*}$ estimation where complex-based methods fail or when phase data are inaccessible or unreliable. However, traditional magnitude-based fitting algorithms do not account for Rician noise, creating a source of bias. To address these issues, we propose an algorithm for magnitude-only PDFF and $R_2^{*}$ estimation with Rician noise modeling (MAGORINO).

Methods: Simulations of multi-echo gradient-echo signal intensities are used to investigate the performance and behavior of MAGORINO over the space of clinically plausible PDFF, $R_2^{*}$ , and SNR values. Fitting performance is assessed through detailed simulation, including likelihood function visualization, and in a multisite, multivendor, and multi-field-strength phantom data set and in vivo.

Results: Simulations show that Rician noise-based magnitude fitting outperforms existing Gaussian noise-based fitting and reveals two key mechanisms underpinning the observed improvement. First, the likelihood functions exhibit two local optima; Rician noise modeling increases the chance that the global optimum corresponds to the ground truth. Second, when the global optimum corresponds to ground truth for both noise models, the optimum from Rician noise modeling is closer to ground truth. Multisite phantom experiments show good agreement of MAGORINO PDFF with reference values, and in vivo experiments replicate the performance benefits observed in simulation.

Conclusion: The MAGORINO algorithm reduces Rician noise-related bias in PDFF and $R_2^{*}$ estimation, thus addressing a key limitation of existing magnitude-only fitting methods. Our results offer insight into the importance of the noise model for selecting the correct optimum when multiple plausible optima exist.

Keywords: computer-assisted imaging processing; magnetic resonance imaging; radiology.