Factors affecting the effectiveness of a projection dephaser in 2D gradient-echo imaging.
Projection dephasers are often used for background suppression and dynamic range improvement in thick-slab 2D imaging in order to promote the visibility of subslice structures, e.g., blood vessels and interventional devices. In this study, we explored the factors that govern the effectiveness of a projection dephaser by simulations and phantom experiments. This was done for the ideal case of a single subslice hyper- or hypointensity against a uniform background in the absence of susceptibility effects. Simulations and experiments revealed a pronounced influence of the slice profile, the nominal flip angle and the TE and TR of the acquisition, the size, intraslice position and MR properties of the subslice structure, and T(1) of the background. The complexity of the ideal case points to the necessity of additional explorations when considering the use of projection dephasers under less ideal conditions, e.g., in the presence of tissue heterogeneities and susceptibility gradients.
Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584CX Utrecht, The Netherlands. c.j.g.bakker@umcutrecht.nl
Chris J G
CJ
Bakker
Nicky H G M
NH
Peters
Koen L
KL
Vincken
Martijn
M
van der Bom
Jan-Henry
JH
Seppenwoolde
D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D051598:Whole Body Imaging
D003287:Contrast Media