Reduction of MR imaging time by the hybrid fast-scan technique.
The time taken to collect high-resolution and high signal-to-noise (S/N) data in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging may be the limiting factor in patient throughput and in reducing patient motion. A hybrid fast-scan technique combining static and oscillatory phase-encoding gradients from two-dimensional Fourier transform (2DFT) and echo-planar imaging can reduce the time needed to collect data at the expense of loss in S/N. The flexibility of this technique is that any amplitude or frequency of oscillation of the phase-encoding gradient can be used. The technique was used for different frequencies and amplitudes, and images are presented that were acquired in one-half and one-quarter the time required with standard 2DFT techniques. The images illustrate that the hybrid and 2DFT techniques produce comparable resolution and contrast under identical conditions.
D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D008961:Models, Structural; D013997:Time Factors