Measurement of T1 by echo-planar imaging and the construction of computer-generated images

The high-speed echo-planar imaging (EPI) technique is used to obtain rapid T1 and spin density measurements by a two-point method. It is shown that neglect of edge effects in the slice selection procedure leads to significant systematic errors in T1. T1 maps for two young patients, obtained at 4.0 MHz, are presented. The T1 and spin density values obtained are used to produce computer-generated images in inversion recovery simulations. These results demonstrate marked improvement in image contrast without paying the time penalty incurred in real experiments, thereby greatly increasing patient throughput potential.