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Point spread function mapping with parallel imaging techniques and high acceleration factors: Fast, robust, and flexible method for echo‐planar imaging distortion correction
Author(s) -
Zaitsev M.,
Hennig J.,
Speck O.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
magnetic resonance in medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.696
H-Index - 225
eISSN - 1522-2594
pISSN - 0740-3194
DOI - 10.1002/mrm.20261
Subject(s) - computer science , planar , distortion (music) , point spread function , imaging phantom , context (archaeology) , artificial intelligence , computer vision , acceleration , echo planar imaging , ultrashort pulse , optics , physics , magnetic resonance imaging , computer graphics (images) , medicine , computer network , amplifier , paleontology , laser , bandwidth (computing) , classical mechanics , radiology , biology
Abstract Echo‐planar imaging (EPI) is an ultrafast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging technique prone to geometric distortions. Various correction techniques have been developed to remedy these distortions. Here improvements of the point spread function (PSF) mapping approach are presented, which enable reliable and fully automated distortion correction of echo‐planar images at high field strengths. The novel method is fully compatible with EPI acquisitions using parallel imaging. The applicability of parallel imaging to further accelerate PSF acquisition is shown. The possibility of collecting PSF data sets with total acceleration factors higher than the number of coil elements is demonstrated. Additionally, a new approach to visualize and interpret distortions in the context of various imaging and reconstruction methods based on the PSF is proposed. The reliable performance of the PSF mapping technique is demonstrated on phantom and volunteer scans at field strengths of up to 4 T. Magn Reson Med 52:1156–1166, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.