Author(s)

Claus Kiefer

Support Center for Advanced Neuroimaging (SCAN), Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital Inselspital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

Purpose: To increase the efficiency of densely encoded magnetization transfer imaging of the brain, we time-multiplex multiple slices within the same readout using simultaneous echo refocusing FLASH imaging with magnetization transfer (MT) preparation (MT-SER-FLASH). Materials and Methods: Inefficiency in total scan time results from the number of frequency samples needed for sufficient quality of quantitative parameter maps for a binary spin bath model. We present a highly efficient multiplexing method, simultaneous echo refocused magnetization transfer imaging (MT-SER-FLASH) for reducing the total scan time of MT imaging by one-third. The specific absorption rate (SAR) was also reduced by reducing the number of MT-pulses per volume. Results: 2D-MT-SER-FLASH is performed in 19 minutes rather than 1 hour, acceptable for routine clinical application. The SAR could be reduced to 69% instead of more than 100% with a standard 2D or 3D-FLASH with MT-preparation. Conclusion: The net reduction of scan time and SAR enables the use of quantitative model based magnetization transfer imaging within a clinical environment.

MRI, Magnetization Transfer Imaging, Fast Imaging, Pulse Sequences, Simultaneous Echo Refocusing

Kiefer, C. (2014) Simultaneous Echo Refocused Magnetization Transfer Imaging. Open Journal of Medical Imaging, 4, 154-158. doi: 10.4236/ojmi.2014.43021.