Creating a 3D-printed pelvic phantom to explore the impact of Magnetic Resonance (MR) scanner noise in radiomics analysis, a technical note.

Abstract

Reproducibility of radiomics features necessitates that scanner noise be considered prior to feature extraction. Phantom research provides the opportunity for such ‘ground truth’ measurements, without the additional complication of patient-related factors. The aim of this technical note was to create a 3D printed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-compatible pelvic phantom that can be used for subsequent analysis of the impact of scanner noise on the reproducibility of radiomics features. A 3D printed phantom of a male pelvis was created using fused deposition modelling technology. It was 3D printed using the high density MRI-compatible acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The ‘negative’ mould created was then filled with silicone, and the prostate gland and femoral heads were also simulated. We successfully created an MRI-compatible 3D printed pelvic phantom, with a test scan. The phantom will subsequently be utilised to determine the impact of MRI scanner noise on radiomics feature reproducibility