Journal
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE
Volume 74, Issue 1, Pages 136-149Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1002/mrm.25391
Keywords
diffusion MRI; readout-segmented EPI; simultaneous multislice; blipped-CAIPI; distortion; tractography
Funding
- UK Medical Research Council
- MRC [G0700399, MR/K006673/1] Funding Source: UKRI
- Medical Research Council [G0700399, MR/K006673/1] Funding Source: researchfish
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PurposeReadout-segmented echo-planar imaging (rs-EPI) can provide high quality diffusion data because it is less prone to distortion and blurring artifacts than single-shot echo-planar imaging (ss-EPI), particularly at higher resolution and higher field. Readout segmentation allows shorter echo-spacing and echo train duration, resulting in reduced image distortion and blurring, respectively, in the phase-encoding direction. However, these benefits come at the expense of longer scan times because the segments are acquired in multiple repetitions times (TRs). This study shortened rs-EPI scan times by reducing the TR duration with simultaneous multislice acceleration. MethodsThe blipped-CAIPI method for slice acceleration with reduced g-factor SNR loss was incorporated into the diffusion-weighted rs-EPI sequence. The rs- and ss-EPI sequences were compared at a range of resolutions at both 3 and 7 Tesla in terms of image fidelity and diffusion postprocessing results. ResultsSlice-accelerated clinically useful trace-weighted images and tractography results are presented. Tractography analysis showed that the reduced artifacts in rs-EPI allowed better discrimination of tracts than ss-EPI. ConclusionSlice acceleration reduces rs-EPI scan times providing a practical alternative to diffusion-weighted ss-EPI with reduced distortion and high resolution. Magn Reson Med 74:136-149, 2015. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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