Steady-state diffusion-weighted imaging: theory, acquisition and analysis.
Steady-state diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has long been recognized to offer potential benefits over conventional spin-echo methods. This family of pulse sequences is highly efficient and compatible with three-dimensional acquisitions, which could enable high-resolution, low-distortion images. However, the same properties that lead to its efficiency make steady-state imaging highly susceptible to motion and create a complicated signal with dependence on T(1), T(2) and flip angle. Recent developments in gradient hardware, motion-mitigation techniques and signal analysis offer potential solutions to these problems, reviving interest in steady-state DWI. This review offers a description of steady-state DWI signal formation and provides an overview of the current methods for steady-state DWI acquisition and analysis.
McNab
Jennifer A
JA
Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain (FMRIB), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Miller
Karla L
KL
D016477:Artifacts; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004058:Diffusion; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009038:Motion