title: Uncertainty in T(1) mapping using the variable flip angle method with two flip angles.
abstract: Propagation of errors, in conjunction with the theoretical signal equation for spoiled gradient echo pulse sequences, is used to derive a theoretical expression for uncertainty in quantitative variable flip angle T(1) mapping using two flip angles. This expression is then minimized to derive a rigorous expression for optimal flip angles that elucidates a commonly used empirical result. The theoretical expressions for uncertainty and optimal flip angles are combined to derive a lower bound on the achievable uncertainty for a given set of pulse sequence parameters and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). These results provide a means of quantitatively determining the effect of changing acquisition parameters on T(1) uncertainty.
authors.affiliation: Utah Center for Advanced Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, 729 Arapeen Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84108-1218, USA. matthias.schabel@hsc.utah.edu
authors.forename: Matthias C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Schabel
authors.forename: Glen R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Morrell
mesh_terms: D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D013997:Time Factors; D035501:Uncertainty