T2-weighted 3D fast spin echo imaging with water–fat separation in a single acquisition

✍ Scribed by Ananth J. Madhuranthakam; Huanzhou Yu; Ann Shimakawa; Reed F. Busse; Martin P. Smith; Scott B. Reeder; Neil M. Rofsky; Jean H. Brittain; Charles A. McKenzie

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 375 KB
• Volume: 32
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1053-1807
• DOI: 10.1002/jmri.22282

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Purpose:

To develop a robust 3D fast spin echo (FSE) T~2~‐weighted imaging method with uniform water and fat separation in a single acquisition, amenable to high‐quality multiplanar reformations.

Materials and Methods:

The Iterative Decomposition of water and fat with Echo Asymmetry and Least squares estimation (IDEAL) method was integrated with modulated refocusing flip angle 3D‐FSE. Echoes required for IDEAL processing were acquired by shifting the readout gradient with respect to the Carr‐Purcell‐Meiboom‐Gill echo. To reduce the scan time, an alternative data acquisition using two gradient echoes per repetition was implemented. Using the latter approach, a total of four gradient echoes were acquired in two repetitions and used in the modified IDEAL reconstruction.

Results:

3D‐FSE T~2~‐weighted images with uniform water–fat separation were successfully acquired in various anatomies including breast, abdomen, knee, and ankle in clinically feasible scan times, ranging from 5:30–8:30 minutes. Using water‐only and fat‐only images, in‐phase and out‐of‐phase images were reconstructed.

Conclusion:

3D‐FSE‐IDEAL provides volumetric T~2~‐weighted images with uniform water and fat separation in a single acquisition. High‐resolution images with multiple contrasts can be reformatted to any orientation from a single acquisition. This could potentially replace 2D‐FSE acquisitions with and without fat suppression and in multiple planes, thus improving overall imaging efficiency. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;32:745–751. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.