title: Improving structural brain images acquired with the 3D FLASH sequence.
abstract: The three-dimension Fast Low Angle SHot Magnetic Resonance Imaging (3D FLASH) sequence has been widely adopted in medical diagnostic imaging because of its availability, simplicity, and high spatial resolution. To improve the quality of structural brain images acquired with the 3D FLASH sequence, we developed a parameter optimization scheme and image inhomogeneity correction methods. The optimal imaging parameters were determined by maximizing gray-matter and white-matter CNR efficiency. Compared to protocols based on published parameters, applying the proposed optimal imaging parameters increased CNR efficiency by >10%. Image inhomogeneity, including signal and CNR inhomogeneity, was corrected by the choice of an optimal flip angle, estimated transmit function, and estimated receive sensitivity. As a result, our optimization and image inhomogeneity correction greatly improved the quality of images acquired with the 3D FLASH sequence.
authors.affiliation: Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Brain Imaging, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. Electronic address: wang.3131@osu.edu.
authors.forename: Jinghua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Perinatal Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
authors.forename: Lili
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Paul C. Lauterbur Research Center for Biomedical Imaging, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China.
authors.forename: Hairong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Brain Imaging, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
authors.forename: Zhong-Lin
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D059906:Neuroimaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: 3D FLASH; Bloch equation; Inhomogeneity correction; Optimization; Structural brain image