3D MR fingerprinting using Seiffert spirals.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Seiffert spirals were recently explored as an efficient way to traverse 3D k-space compared to traditional 3D techniques. Several studies have shown the ability of 3D MR fingerprinting (MRF) techniques to acquire T1 and T2 relaxation maps in a short period of time. However, these sequences do not sample across a large region of 3D k-space every TR, especially in the way that Seiffert trajectories can. METHODS: A 3D MRF sequence was designed using 8 Seiffert spirals rotated in 3D k-space, with flip angle modulation for T1 and T2 sensitivity. The sequence was compared to an MRF sequence using a 2D spiral rotated in 3D k-space using the tiny golden angle acquisition with similar resolution/readout duration. Both sequences were evaluated using simulations, phantom validation, and in vivo imaging. RESULTS: In all experiments, the Seiffert spiral MRF sequence performed similar to if not better than the multi-axis 2D spiral MRF sequence. Strong intraclass correlation coefficients (> 0.9) were found between conventional and MRF sequences in phantoms, whereas the in vivo results showed slightly less aliasing artifact with the Seiffert trajectory. CONCLUSION: In this study, Seiffert spirals were used within the MRF framework to acquire high-resolution T1 and T2 relaxation time maps in less than 2.5 min. The reduced aliasing artifacts seen with the Seiffert sequence suggests that sampling over 3D k-space evenly each TR can improve quantification or shorten scan times.