title: Suppression of vascular enhancement artifacts through the use of a multiband, selectively spoiled radiofrequency excitation pulse.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the ability of a multi-band RF pulse to reduce flow enhancement artifacts for steady state imaging without compromising temporal resolution or spatial coverage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Selectively spoiled composite RF pulses that provide simultaneous excitation and flow preparation were designed and tested by means of simulation, phantom, and in vivo measurements under varying conditions of flow.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Suppression of flow enhancement was found to depend on flow velocity and spatial extent of spoiled regions. By determining necessary pulse characteristics for a given experimental geometry, flow enhancement was reduced and sensitivity to T(1)-reducing contrast agent was dramatically increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These pulses provide an effective means of suppressing flow enhancement without sacrificing temporal resolution or spatial coverage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging Physics, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030-4009, USA.
authors.forename: Dustin K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Ragan
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bankson
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D016477:Artifacts; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media