Deep Learning Assisted Double Inversion Recovery improves Focal Lesion Detection in Optic Neuropathy.

AI / informaticsAJNR. American journal of neuroradiology· Jun 2026

Deep Learning Assisted Double Inversion Recovery improves Focal Lesion Detection in Optic Neuropathy.

Dandan Zhang, Qichao Cheng, Ziyao Liu … Anning Li

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Neuro-ophthalmologyAI / informaticsDiagnosisQ1IF 3.1

AI-accelerated MRI reconstruction cut optic nerve scan time nearly in half.

Deep Learning Assisted Double Inversion Recovery improves Focal Lesion Detection in Optic Neuropathy.

Dandan Zhang … Anning Li

AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology · Jun 2026 · Q1 in General Medicine

Purpose

To compare the acquisition time, image quality, and diagnostic confidence of DL-accelerated DIR (DIR-DL) with conventional MRI in patients undergoing imaging for suspected optic neuropathy.

Methods

This prospective, study enrolled 75 consecutive patients (mean age, 37 ± 20 years; 47 female) with suspected optic neuropathy who were clinically referred for optic nerve MRI between April and September 2024.

n = 75 patients

43.57%

Results

43.57%

AI made nerve scans faster, without losing image quality

n = 75 patients

More results

DIR and DIR-DL detected significantly longer lesion lengths than STIR (Beta = 7.59% and 7.40%, both Padj<0.001).

STIR vs STIR-DL and DIR vs DIR-DL were interchangeable (IEI = 0.02 and 0.04, 90% CI within ±0.05), with almost perfect/excellent agreement (κ = 0.95 and 0.85).

DIR and DIR-DL had higher specificity than STIR and STIR-DL.

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Conclusion

In a clinical setting, DIR-DL reduced scan time while providing superior image quality and comparable diagnostic confidence to standard STIR MRI for optic nerve evaluation.

Deep Learning Assisted Double Inversion Recovery improves Focal Lesion Detection in Optic Neuropathy.

Deep Learning Assisted Double Inversion Recovery improves Focal Lesion Detection in Optic Neuropathy.

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