Multiple echo diffusion tensor acquisition technique.
The standard method of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) involves one diffusion-sensitizing gradient direction per acquired signal. This paper describes an alternative method in which the entire direction set required for calculating the diffusion tensor is captured in a few scans. In this method, a series of radiofrequency (RF) pulses are applied, resulting in a train of spin echoes. A pattern of applied magnetic field gradients between the RF pulses generates a different diffusion weighting in both magnitude and direction for each echo, resulting in a dataset sufficient to determine the tensor. This significantly reduces the time required for a full DTI scan and potentially allows a tradeoff of this time for image quality. In the present work, this method is demonstrated in an anisotropic diffusion phantom (asparagus).
Sigmund
Eric E
EE
Schlumberger-Doll Research, Ridgefield, CT 06877, USA. esigmund@slb.com
Song
Yi-Qiao
YQ
D016880:Anisotropy; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011846:Radio Waves; D014675:Vegetables