title: Echo planar diffusion-weighted imaging: possibilities and considerations with 12- and 32-channel head coils.
abstract: Interest in clinical brain magnetic resonance imaging using 32-channel head coils for signal reception continues to increase. The present investigation assesses possibilities for improving diffusion-weighted image quality using a 32-channel in comparison to a conventional 12-channel coil. The utility of single-shot (ss) and an approach to readout-segmented (rs) echo planar imaging (EPI) are examined using both head coils. Substantial image quality improvements are found with rs-EPI. Imaging with a 32-channel head coil allows for implementation of greater parallel imaging acceleration factors or acquisition of scans at a higher resolution. Specifically, higher resolution imaging with rs-EPI can be achieved by increasing the number of readout segments without increasing echo-spacing or echo time to the degree necessary with ss-EPI - a factor resulting in increased susceptibility artifact and reduced signal-to-noise with the latter.
authors: Scott and White Hospital/Texas A&M HSC, USA.
authors: John N
authors: JN
authors: Morelli
authors: Megan R
authors: MR
authors: Saettele
authors: Rajesh A
authors: RA
authors: Rangaswamy
authors: Lan
authors: L
authors: Vu
authors: Clint M
authors: CM
authors: Gerdes
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Zhang
authors: Fei
authors: F
authors: Ai