On the dependence of quantitative diffusion-weighted imaging on scanner system characteristics and acquisition parameters: A large multicenter and multiparametric phantom study with unsupervised clustering analysis

Purpose: The purpose of this multicenter phantom study was to exploit an innovative approach, based on an extensive acquisition protocol and unsupervised clustering analysis, in order to assess any potential bias in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) estimation due to different scanner characteristics. Moreover, we aimed at assessing, for the first time, any effect of acquisition plan/phase encoding direction on ADC estimation. Methods: Water phantom acquisitions were carried out on 39 scanners. DWI acquisitions (b-value = 0–200-400–600-800–1000 s/mm²) with different acquisition plans (axial, coronal, sagittal) and phase encoding directions (anterior/posterior and right/left, for the axial acquisition plan), for 3 orthogonal diffusion weighting gradient directions, were performed. For each acquisition setup, ADC values were measured in-center and off-center (6 different positions), resulting in an entire dataset of 84 × 39 = 3276 ADC values. Spatial uniformity of ADC maps was assessed by means of the percentage difference between off-center and in-center ADC values (Δ). Results: No significant dependence of in-center ADC values on acquisition plan/phase encoding direction was found. Ward unsupervised clustering analysis showed 3 distinct clusters of scanners and an association between Δ-values and manufacturer/model, whereas no association between Δ-values and maximum gradient strength, slew rate or static magnetic field strength was revealed. Several acquisition setups showed significant differences among groups, indicating the introduction of different biases in ADC estimation. Conclusions: Unsupervised clustering analysis of DWI data, obtained from several scanners using an extensive acquisition protocol, allows to reveal an association between measured ADC values and manufacturer/model of scanner, as well as to identify suboptimal DWI acquisition setups for accurate ADC estimation.