Rapid anatomical imaging of the neonatal brain using T2 -prepared 3D balanced steady-state free precession.
| Publication Type | Academic Article |
| Authors | Park J, Jang M, Heier L, Limperopoulos C, Zun Z |
| Journal | Magn Reson Med |
| Volume | 89 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pagination | 1456-1468 |
| Date Published | 11/24/2022 |
| ISSN | 1522-2594 |
| Keywords | Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted |
| Abstract | PURPOSE: To develop a new approach to 3D gradient echo-based anatomical imaging of the neonatal brain with a substantially shorter scan time than standard 3D fast spin echo (FSE) methods, while maintaining a high SNR. METHODS: T2 -prepration was employed immediately prior to image acquisition of 3D balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) with a single trajectory of center-out k-space view ordering, which requires no magnetization recovery time between imaging segments during the scan. This approach was compared with 3D FSE, 2D single-shot FSE, and product 3D bSSFP imaging in numerical simulations, plus phantom and in vivo experiments. RESULTS: T2 -prepared 3D bSSFP generated image contrast of gray matter, white matter, and CSF very similar to that of reference T2 -weighted imaging methods, without major image artifacts. Scan time of T2 -prepared 3D bSSFP was remarkably shorter compared to 3D FSE, whereas SNR was comparable to that of 3D FSE and higher than that of 2D single-shot FSE. Specific absorption rate of T2 -prepared 3D bSSFP remained within the safety limit. Determining an optimal imaging flip angle of T2 -prepared 3D bSSFP was critical to minimizing blurring of images. CONCLUSION: T2 -prepared 3D bSSFP offers an alternative method for anatomical imaging of the neonatal brain with dramatically reduced scan time compared to standard 3D FSE and higher SNR than 2D single-shot FSE. |
| DOI | 10.1002/mrm.29537 |
| PubMed ID | 36420869 |
| PubMed Central ID | PMC10208121 |