Improved gradient echo magnitude- and phase-based mapping of using multiple RF spoiling increments at 3T and 7T.

Abstract

The transverse relaxation time T holds significant relevance in clinical applications and research studies. Conventional T mapping approaches rely on spin-echo sequences, which require lengthy acquisition times and involve high radiofrequency (RF) power deposition. An alternative gradient echo (GRE) phase-based T mapping method, utilizing steady-state acquisitions at one small RF spoil phase increment, was recently demonstrated. Here, a modified magnitude- and phase-based T mapping approach is proposed, which improves estimations by simultaneous fitting of and signal amplitude ( ) at three or more RF spoiling phase increments, instead of assuming a fixed value. The feasibility of the magnitude-phase-based method was assessed by simulations, in phantom and in vivo experiments using skipped-CAIPI three-dimensional-echo-planar imaging (3D-EPI) for rapid GRE imaging. , and PD estimations obtained by our method were compared to of the phase-based method and and PD of spoiled GRE-based multi-parameter mapping using a multi-echo version of the same sequence. The agreement of the proposed with ground truth and reference values was higher than that of phase-based in simulations and in phantom data. While phase-based overestimation increases with actual and , the proposed method is accurate over a large range of physiologically meaningful and values. At the same time, precision is improved. In vivo results were in line with these observations. Accurate magnitude-phase-based T mapping is feasible in less than 5 min scan time for 1 mm nominal isotropic whole-head coverage at 3T and 7T.