Near-contiguous spin echo imaging using matched-phase RF and its application in velocity-selective arterial spin labeling.

Publication Type	Academic Article
Authors	Zun Z, Hargreaves B, Pauly J, Zaharchuk G
Journal	Magn Reson Med
Volume	71
Issue	6
Pagination	2043-50
Date Published	07/15/2013
ISSN	1522-2594
Keywords	Cerebrovascular Circulation, Image Enhancement, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Spin Labels
Abstract	PURPOSE: The minimum slice spacing in multislice imaging is limited by inter-slice crosstalk due to an imperfect slice profile. This study sought to minimize the slice spacing using matched-phase RF pulses and demonstrate its application in cerebral blood flow imaging using velocity-selective arterial spin labeling. METHODS: A spin-echo matched-phase 90°-180° RF pair was designed using Shinnar-Le Roux algorithm in order to improve the slice profile of longitudinal magnetization, which plays a more critical role in creating interslice crosstalk than transverse magnetization. Both transverse and longitudinal slice profiles were compared between matched-phase RF and sinc-based RF pulses in simulations and measurements. Velocity-selective arterial spin labeling was performed in normal volunteers using both RF pulses and standard deviation of cerebral blood flow time series was calculated to examine ASL signal stability. RESULTS: Using designed matched-phase RF, the longitudinal slice profile was sharpened without signal-to-noise ratio loss. In velocity-selective arterial spin labeling imaging, the temporal standard deviation of cerebral blood flow measurements was reduced from 48 mL/100 g/min to 32 mL/100 g/min by 33% using matched-phase RF pulses, and as a result, cerebral blood flow image quality improved. CONCLUSION: This study reports that near-contiguous multislice imaging can be achieved using matched-phase RF pulses without compromising signal-to-noise ratio and signal stability.
DOI	10.1002/mrm.24866
PubMed ID	23857667
PubMed Central ID	PMC4087163