Accelerated Fast Spin-Echo Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Heart Using a Self-Calibrated Split-Echo Approach

Abstract

PurposeDesign, validation and application of an accelerated fast spin-echo (FSE) variant that uses a split-echo approach for self-calibrated parallel imaging.MethodsFor self-calibrated, split-echo FSE (SCSE-FSE), extra displacement gradients were incorporated into FSE to decompose odd and even echo groups which were independently phase encoded to derive coil sensitivity maps, and to generate undersampled data (reduction factor up to R = 3). Reference and undersampled data were acquired simultaneously. SENSE reconstruction was employed.ResultsThe feasibility of SCSE-FSE was demonstrated in phantom studies. Point spread function performance of SCSE-FSE was found to be competitive with traditional FSE variants. The immunity of SCSE-FSE for motion induced mis-registration between reference and undersampled data was shown using a dynamic left ventricular model and cardiac imaging. The applicability of black blood prepared SCSE-FSE for cardiac imaging was demonstrated in healthy volunteers including accelerated multi-slice per breath-hold imaging and accelerated high spatial resolution imaging.ConclusionSCSE-FSE obviates the need of external reference scans for SENSE reconstructed parallel imaging with FSE. SCSE-FSE reduces the risk for mis-registration between reference scans and accelerated acquisitions. SCSE-FSE is feasible for imaging of the heart and of large cardiac vessels but also meets the needs of brain, abdominal and liver imaging.

How bold is blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging of the kidney? Opportunities, challenges and future directions

“…, Niendorf & Sodickson ,b, ), advanced MR pulse sequences (Klix et al . ), explorations into simultaneous /T 2 ‐sensitized MRI to reduce scan times (Fuchs et al . ), application of mapping techniques free of image distortion (Niendorf , Heinrichs et al .…”

W(h)ither human cardiac and body magnetic resonance at ultrahigh fields? technical advances, practical considerations, applications, and clinical opportunities

“…Moreover, simultaneous acquisition of multiple contrasts obviates the need for slice co‐registration when combining multiple series of images with anatomical ( T 2 or proton density) and functional (diffusion weighted imaging, DWI) contrast, which would be beneficial for CMR dealing with physiological motion. The use of self‐calibrated parallel imaging techniques tailored for FSE imaging presents another opportunity to extend the capabilities of black blood imaging at 7.0 T . For this purpose the full echo of coherent FSE needs to be decomposed into two parities, which can be independently phase encoded using (i) regular sampling to derive coil sensitivity profiles and (ii) k ‐space undersampling for accelerated FSE acquisitions .…”

“…The use of self‐calibrated parallel imaging techniques tailored for FSE imaging presents another opportunity to extend the capabilities of black blood imaging at 7.0 T . For this purpose the full echo of coherent FSE needs to be decomposed into two parities, which can be independently phase encoded using (i) regular sampling to derive coil sensitivity profiles and (ii) k ‐space undersampling for accelerated FSE acquisitions . One practical implication is that the speed gain of self‐calibrated FSE would help to reduce examination times, while improving both operator convenience and patient comfort.…”