Diffusion-weighted three-dimensional MP-RAGE MR imaging

The advantages of three-dimensional (3D) acquisition are that you obtain thinner and more slices with better profiles, and better signal-to-noise ratio for an equivalent slice thickness. Three-dimensional acquisition is preferable for obtaining contiguous thin-slice MR images. However, the acquisition time extends compared with the two-dimensional acquisition because the second phase-encode axis is applied by the 3D acquisition. Therefore, 3D acquisition should be a high-speed imaging method. In this paper, a new diffusion-sensitive 3D magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo (3D MP-RAGE) sequence was studied. In this sequence, a preparation phase with a 90° RF−motion proving gradient (MPG): MPG−180° RF−MPG−90° RF pulse train (diffusion-weighted driven-equilibrium Fourier transform) was used to sensitize the magnetization to diffusion. Centric k-space acquisition order is necessary to minimize saturation effects from tissues with short relaxation times. From phantom experimental results, the effect of the diffusion weighting was changed by the centric vs. sequential k-space acquisition order. The effect of centric k-space acquisition order was larger than the effect of sequential k-space acquisition order. The contrast of centric k-space acquisition order became equal to the contrast of conventional diffusion-weighted spin echo. From rat experimental results, small isotropic diffusion-weighted image data (voxel size: 0.625×0.625×0.625 mm3) were obtained. This sequence was useful in vivo.