Radial MRI techniques for obtaining motion-insensitive high-resolution images with variable contrast

The advantages of multi-shot radial fast spin-echo (RAD-FSE) MRI methods over conventional Fourier transformed (FT) MRI methods for obtaining high-resolution images with minimal motion- and flow-induced artifact are presented. The utility of post-processing methods used to obtain images with different T2-weighted contrast as well as T2 maps from a single radial set is also described. Applications are shown for three areas of clinical relevance, where motion precludes the use of conventional FT MRI methods to obtain high-resolution images. Results are shown for Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI), and are compared to standard single-shot echo planar imaging (SSEPI). Results from cardiac imaging are presented and compared to conventional 2DFT-FSE methods. Results from RAD-FSE in abdominal imaging are also compared to single-shot fast spin-echo (SSFSE) and conventional 2DFT-FSE methods. The advantages of generating multiple T2-weighted images as well as T2 maps from a single radial set are demonstrated for body imaging.