Continuously moving table data acquisition method for long FOV contrast-enhanced MRA and whole-body MRI

• Published in: Magnetic resonance in medicine 2002-02, Vol.47 (2), p.224-231
• Main Authors: Kruger, David G., Riederer, Stephen J., Grimm, Roger C., Rossman, Phillip J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Flow Velocity - physiology; Contrast Media; extended FOV; Fourier Analysis; Gadolinium DTPA; Humans; Image Enhancement - instrumentation; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - instrumentation; Imaging, Three-Dimensional - instrumentation; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Magnetic Resonance Angiography - instrumentation; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - instrumentation; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous. Technology; moving table MRI; peripheral MR angiography; Phantoms, Imaging; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Swine; whole body MRI
• ISSN: 0740-3194; 1522-2594
• DOI: 10.1002/mrm.10061

A method is presented in which an extended longitudinal field of view (FOV), as required for whole‐body MRI or MRA peripheral runoff studies, is acquired in one seamless image. Previous methods typically either acquired 3D data at multiple static “stations” which covered the extended FOV or as a series of 2D axial sections. The method presented here maintains the benefits of 3D acquisition while removing the discrete nature of the multistation method by continuous acquisition of MR data as the patient table moves through the desired FOV. Although the technique acquires data only from a homogeneous central volume of the magnet at any point in time, by spatially registering all data it is possible to extend the FOV well beyond this volume. The method is demonstrated experimentally with phantoms, in vivo angiographic animal studies, and in vivo human studies. Magn Reson Med 47:224–231, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.