Contiguous thin multisection MR imaging by two-dimensional Fourier transform techniques

Section thickness in two-dimensional Fourier transform (FT) imaging is dependent on gradient strength and the shape of the radio-frequency pulses used to excite the nuclei. By manipulation of these parameters, it is possible to obtain 2.5-mm-thick sections in contiguous, multisection imaging. Because this method is efficient in imaging with long repetition times (TR), it effectively complements three-dimensional FT thin-section imaging techniques, which require imaging with short TRs. Fifteen double-echo, contiguous images of 0.9 X 0.9 X 2.5-mm resolution were obtained in 17.1 minutes for a TR of 2 seconds.