title: Microimaging at 14 tesla using GESEPI for removal of magnetic susceptibility artifacts in T(2)(*)-weighted image contrast.
abstract: In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), T(2)(*)-weighted contrast is significantly enhanced by extremely high magnetic field strength, offering broad potential applications. However, the T(2)(*)-weighted image contrast distortion and signal loss artifact arising from discontinuities of magnetic susceptibility within and around the sample are also increased, limiting utilization of high field systems for T(2)(*)-weighted contrast applications. Due to the B(0) dependence of the contrast distortions and signal losses, and the heterogeneity of magnetic susceptibility in biological samples, magnetic susceptibility artifacts worsen dramatically for in vivo microimaging at higher fields. Practical applications of T(2)(*)-sensitive techniques enhanced by higher magnetic fields are therefore challenged. This report shows that magnetic susceptibility artifacts dominate T(2)(*)-weighted image contrast at 14 T, and demonstrates that the GESEPI (gradient echo slice excitation profile imaging) technique effectively reduces or eliminates these artifacts at long TE in the highest field (14 T) currently available for (1)H imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology (Center for NMR Research), The Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033-2390, USA. qing@nmr.hmc. psghs.edu
authors.forename: Q X
authors.initials: QX
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Briggs
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Rycyna
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D016477:Artifacts; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008953:Models, Anatomic