Diffusion-Weighted 3D Multislab Echo Planar Imaging for High Signal-to-Noise Ratio Efficiency and Isotropic Image Resolution

作者：Engstroem Mathias; Skare Stefan

来源：Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 2013, 70(6): 1507-1514.

DOI：10.1002/mrm.24594

• MRI
• diffusion
• phase-correction
• 2D navigator
• 3D

PurposeTo acquire isotropic high-resolution, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) efficient, 3D encoded diffusion-weighted MRI data.
MethodsMultiple Fourier encoded slabs were combined into one full volume, using a generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisitions (GRAPPA) accelerated diffusion-weighted 3D multislab echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence with 2D phase navigation and in-plane motion correction.
ResultsReconstructed data with 1.5-mm(3) nominal resolution is presented and shown under the influence of motion and with variable slab thicknesses. The SNR efficiency between diffusion-weighted 3D multislab EPI and DW 2D ss-EPI is compared. Finally, a 1.3-mm(3) full brain scan with 45 diffusion directions is presented.
ConclusionsDiffusion-weighted 3D multislab EPI has been presented as an alternative sequence for high-resolution and high-SNR full brain coverage diffusion studies. Compared with the gold standard 2D diffusion-weighted single-shot Echo Planar Imaging, the SNR efficiency is significantly higher. Magn Reson Med 70:1507-1514, 2013.

• 出版日期2013-12