T 2 ‐weighted balanced SSFP imaging ( T 2 ‐TIDE) using variable flip angles

A new technique for acquiring T 2 ‐weighted, balanced steady‐state free precession (b‐SSFP) images is presented. Based on the recently proposed transition into driven equilibrium (TIDE) method, T 2 ‐TIDE uses a special flip angle scheme to achieve T 2 ‐weighted signal decay during the transient phase. In combination with half‐Fourier image acquisition, T 2 ‐weighted images can be obtained using T 2 ‐TIDE. Numerical simulations were performed to analyze the signal behavior of T 2 ‐TIDE in comparison with TSE and b‐SSFP. The results indicate identical signal evolution of T 2 ‐TIDE and TSE during the transient phase. T 2 ‐TIDE was used in phantom experiments, and quantitative ROI analysis shows a linear relationship between TSE and T 2 ‐TIDE SNR values. T 2 ‐TIDE was also applied to abdominal and head imaging on healthy volunteers. The resulting images were analyzed quantitatively and compared with standard T 2 ‐weighted and standard b‐SSFP methods. T 2 ‐TIDE images clearly revealed T 2 contrast and less blurring compared to T 2 ‐HASTE images. In combination with a magnetization preparation technique, STIR‐weighted images were obtained. T 2 ‐TIDE is a robust technique for acquiring T 2 ‐weighted images while exploiting the advantages of b‐SSFP imaging, such as high signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and short TRs. Magn Reson Med, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.