Centric scan SPRITE magnetic resonance imaging: optimization of SNR, resolution, and relaxation time mapping

Two strategies for the optimization of centric scan SPRITE (single point ramped imaging with T-1 enhancement) magnetic resonance imaging techniques are presented. Point spread functions (PSF) for the centric scan SPRITE methodologies are numerically simulated, and the blurring manifested in a centric scan SPRITE image through PSF convolution is characterized. Optimal choices of imaging parameters and k-space sampling scheme are predicted to obtain maximum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) while maintaining acceptable image resolution. The point spread function simulation predictions are verified experimentally. The acquisition of multiple FID points following each RF excitation is described and the use of the Chirp z-Transform algorithm for the scaling of field of view (FOV) of the reconstructed images is illustrated. Effective recombination of the resealed images for SNR improvement and T-2* mapping is demonstrated. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.