Residual RAKI: A hybrid linear and non-linear approach for scan-specific k-space deep learning

Parallel imaging is the most clinically used acceleration technique for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in part due to its easy inclusion into routine acquisitions. In k-space based parallel imaging reconstruction, sub-sampled k-space data are interpolated using linear convolutions. At high acceleration rates these methods have inherent noise amplification and reduced image quality. On the other hand, non-linear deep learning methods provide improved image quality at high acceleration, but the availability of training databases for different scans, as well as their interpretability hinder their adaptation. In this work, we present an extension of Robust Artificial-neural networks for k-space Interpolation (RAKI), called residual-RAKI (rRAKI), which achieves scan-specific machine learning reconstruction using a hybrid linear and non-linear methodology. In rRAKI, non-linear CNNs are trained jointly with a linear convolution implemented via a skip connection. In effect, the linear part provides a baseline reconstruction, while the non-linear CNN that runs in parallel provides further reduction of artifacts and noise arising from the linear part. The explicit split between the linear and non-linear aspects of the reconstruction also help improve interpretability compared to purely non-linear methods. Experiments were conducted on the publicly available fastMRI datasets, as well as high-resolution anatomical imaging, comparing GRAPPA and its variants, compressed sensing, RAKI, Scan Specific Artifact Reduction in K-space (SPARK) and the proposed rRAKI. Additionally, highly-accelerated simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) functional MRI reconstructions were also performed, where the proposed rRAKI was compred to Read-out SENSE-GRAPPA and RAKI. Our results show that the proposed rRAKI method substantially improves the image quality compared to conventional parallel imaging, and offers sharper images compared to SPARK and l(1)-SPIRiT. Furthermore, rRAKI shows improved preservation of time-varying dynamics compared to both parallel imaging and RAKI in highly-accelerated SMS fMRI.

Automated summary

This article presents an improved MRI reconstruction method, called rRAKI, which utilizes a combination of linear and non-linear approaches to achieve machine learning reconstruction. The rRAKI method improves image quality and preserves time-varying dynamics compared to conventional parallel imaging and other existing methods.