Improved spectral selectivity and reduced susceptibility in SSFP using a near zero TE undersampled three-dimensional PR sequence.
OBJECTIVE
To improve the performance of fat/water separation and reduce the sensitivity to susceptibility variation in balanced SSFP sequences.


METHODS
Decreasing the repetition time (TR) reduces susceptibility artifacts in SSFP imaging. A shorter TR may also improve the spectral selectivity obtained when linearly combining data acquired using different radiofrequency phase cycling schedules. The desired short TR is achieved by using an angularly undersampled three-dimensional radial acquisition sequence that achieves a near zero echo time (TE) and also a short TR.


RESULTS
Images from human volunteers demonstrate broad coverage of the cervical spine and knee with isotropic resolution. Excellent fat/water separation is achieved in these studies.


CONCLUSIONS
The short TR capability of the proposed sequence greatly improves the fat suppression in SSFP imaging. High-resolution volumetric T2-like contrast imaged with reduced susceptibility artifacts can be obtained from a single acquisition using this technique.
Lu
Aiming
A
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53792, USA. aiming@mr.radiology.wisc.edu
Barger
Andrew V
AV
Grist
Thomas M
TM
Block
Walter F
WF
D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging