Abstract
PurposeTo reduce respiration‐induced magnetic field distortions and the attendant image artifacts in echo‐planar imaging (EPI) of the human spinal cord.MethodsUsing a custom‐designed 24‐channel shim array, shim updates were issued in real time based on a concurrently monitored respiratory trace and a pair of gradient echo (GRE) field maps acquired during an initial training phase. Proof‐of‐concept application in GRE–EPI was conducted in 6 subjects.ResultsOver the thoracic spinal cord, real‐time shimming reduced respiration‐induced distortions in the EPI by 48.2% ± 12.2% and increased the mean temporal signal‐to‐noise ratio by 15.7% ± 7.9%.ConclusionReal‐time shim adjustment substantially reduces spatiotemporal B0 field variation, opening the door to more robust imaging and spectroscopy investigations of the spinal cord. Magn Reson Med 80:935–946, 2018. © 2018 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
