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Updated: May 28, 2026
Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Skeletal Muscle Disease
Published on: December 18, 2016
Simultaneous fat suppression and band reduction with large-angle multiple-acquisition balanced steady-state free
Brady Quist1, Brian A Hargreaves, Tolga Cukur
1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA.
Abstract:
Balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) MRI is a rapid and signal-to-noise ratio-efficient imaging method, but suffers from characteristic bands of signal loss in regions of large field inhomogeneity. Several methods have been developed to reduce the severity of these banding artifacts, typically involving the acquisition of multiple bSSFP datasets (and the accompanying increase in scan time). Fat suppression with bSSFP is also challenging; most existing methods require an additional increase in scan time, and some are incompatible with bSSFP band-reduction techniques. This work was motivated by the need for both robust fat suppression and band reduction in the presence of field inhomogeneity when using bSSFP for flow-independent peripheral angiography. The large flip angles used in this application to improve vessel conspicuity and contrast lead to specific absorption rate considerations, longer repetition times, and increased severity of banding artifacts. In this work, a novel method that simultaneously suppresses fat and reduces bSSFP banding artifact with the acquisition of only two phase-cycled bSSFP datasets is presented. A weighted sum of the two bSSFP acquisitions is taken on a voxel-by-voxel basis, effectively synthesizing an off-resonance profile at each voxel that puts fat in the stop band while keeping water in the pass band. The technique exploits the near-sinusoidal shape of the bSSFP off-resonance spectrum for many tissues at large (>50°) flip angles.
Insights
This study introduces a new MRI technique that effectively suppresses fat and reduces banding artifacts in balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) imaging. The method achieves this with only two acquisitions, improving peripheral angiography efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Medical Imaging Physics
Background:
- Balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) MRI offers efficient imaging but suffers from signal loss due to field inhomogeneity, creating banding artifacts.
- Existing methods for reducing bSSFP banding artifacts and suppressing fat often increase scan time or are incompatible with band-reduction techniques.
- Flow-independent peripheral angiography using bSSFP is challenged by large flip angles, leading to increased specific absorption rate, longer repetition times, and more severe banding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for simultaneous fat suppression and bSSFP banding artifact reduction.
- To enable robust peripheral angiography in the presence of field inhomogeneity without compromising scan efficiency.
- To address the limitations of existing fat suppression and band-reduction techniques in bSSFP imaging.
Main Methods:
- A novel technique was developed using two phase-cycled bSSFP acquisitions.
- A weighted sum of the two acquisitions was computed voxel-by-voxel.
- This process synthesized an off-resonance profile to place fat in the stop band and water in the pass band, exploiting the bSSFP off-resonance spectrum at large flip angles (>50°).
Main Results:
- The proposed method effectively suppresses fat.
- Simultaneous reduction of bSSFP banding artifacts was achieved.
- The technique requires only two bSSFP datasets, maintaining scan efficiency.
Conclusions:
- A novel, efficient method for simultaneous fat suppression and bSSFP banding artifact reduction has been presented.
- This technique is suitable for flow-independent peripheral angiography, even with large flip angles and field inhomogeneity.
- The method offers a significant improvement over existing techniques by combining fat suppression and band reduction in a single, time-efficient acquisition.
