Three-dimensional T(1), T(2) and proton density mapping with inversion recovery balanced SSFP

Area of Science:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Biophysics
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) combined with inversion recovery (IR) allows rapid calculation of T(1), T(2), and M(0) parameters.
• However, this technique is highly sensitive to transmit radiofrequency (B(1)) field variations, causing significant errors in calculated values.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and overcome the B(1) field sensitivity limitations of IR-bSSFP for accurate relaxometry.
• To enable rapid and precise quantification of T(1), T(2), and M(0) using magnetic resonance imaging.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 3D excitation acquisition with a large diameter coil to mitigate B(1) field inhomogeneity.
• Compared 2D and 3D acquisition strategies for their accuracy in quantifying relaxation parameters.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated that 3D excitation significantly reduces errors caused by B(1) field variations compared to 2D acquisitions.
• Successfully achieved rapid and accurate quantification of T(1), T(2), and M(0) by overcoming previous B(1) sensitivity obstacles.

Conclusions:

• The refined IR-bSSFP technique enables accurate relaxometry, overcoming B(1) field sensitivity issues.
• This method facilitates rapid quantification of key MRI parameters and can be used to simulate various image contrasts like T(1)-weighted and FLAIR.