title: Optimization of Look-Locker Turbo-Field Echo-Planar Imaging and Evaluation of Its Accuracy in Head and Neck 3D T1 Mapping.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We present a sequence for T1 relaxation-time mapping that enables a rapid and accurate measuring. The sequence is based on the Look-Locker method by employing turbo-field echo-planar imaging (TFEPI) acquisitions and time to free relaxation after constant application of the radiofrequency (RF) pulses. We optimized the sequence, and then evaluated the accuracy of the method in imaging of head and neck.
  
  
  METHODS
  The method was implemented on a standard clinical scanner, and the accuracy of the T1 value was evaluated against that with the two-dimensional (2D) inversion recovery method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The percentage errors of the T1 value, as validated by phantom imaging measurements, were 3.1% for slow-relaxing compartments (T1 = 2736 msec) and 1.1% for fast-relaxing compartments (T1 = 264.2 msec).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We demonstrated a fast 3D sequence to obtain multiple slices, based on the Look-Locker method for T1 measurement, which provided a rapid and accurate way of measuring the spin-lattice relaxation time. An acquisition time of approximately 5 min was achieved for T1 mapping; in principle, this can provide head and neck coverage with 15 slices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo.
authors.forename: Masanori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maehara
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monma
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nitanai
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.forename: Yukiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fukuma
mesh_terms: D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006257:Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity