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Single‐shot multiecho parallel echo‐planar imaging (EPI) for diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with improved signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and reduced distortion
Author(s) -
Nana Roger,
Zhao Tiejun,
Hu Xiaoping
Publication year - 2008
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.21770
Subject(s) - echo planar imaging , diffusion mri , distortion (music) , echo (communications protocol) , signal to noise ratio (imaging) , computer science , signal (programming language) , nuclear magnetic resonance , spin echo , noise (video) , physics , artificial intelligence , magnetic resonance imaging , image (mathematics) , medicine , amplifier , computer network , telecommunications , bandwidth (computing) , radiology , programming language
Abstract In this work, a multiecho parallel echo‐planar imaging (EPI) acquisition strategy is introduced as a way to improve the acquisition efficiency in parallel diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). With the use of an appropriate echo combination strategy, the sequence can provide signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) enhancement while maintaining the advantages of parallel EPI. Simulations and in vivo experiments demonstrate that a weighted summation of multiecho images provides a significant gain in SNR over the first echo image. It is experimentally demonstrated that this SNR gain can be utilized to reduce the number of measurements often required to ensure adequate SNR for accurate DTI measures. Furthermore, the multiple echoes can be used to derive a T 2 map, providing additional information that might be useful in some applications. Magn Reson Med 60:1512–1517, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.