Echo-volumar imaging (EVI) at 0.5 T: first whole-body volunteer studies

Improvements in the echo-volumar imaging (EVI) technique and its application in whole-body studies are described. Using an in-house built 0.5 T echo-planar imaging system, complete modulus three-dimensional image data are acquired in 102 ms with real-time display. Hardware limitations have restricted the maximum array size achievable to 64 x 32 x 8 voxels. Representative voxel dimensions are x = 6.0 mm; y = 4.0 mm, and z = 10.0 mm. Results on human volunteers are presented, showing cardiac, liver, and bladder images. Also shown are the first EVI gastric filling and emptying results.