Quiet echo planar imaging for functional and diffusion MRI

TY - JOUR

T1 - Quiet echo planar imaging for functional and diffusion MRI

AU - Hutter, Jana

AU - Price, Anthony N.

AU - Cordero-Grande, Lucilio

AU - Malik, Shaihan

AU - Ferrazzi, Giulio

AU - Gaspar, Andreia

AU - Hughes, Emer J.

AU - Christiaens, Daan

AU - Mccabe, Laura

AU - Schneider, Torben

AU - Rutherford, Mary A.

AU - Hajnal, Joseph V.

PY - 2017/6/17

Y1 - 2017/6/17

N2 - Purpose: To develop a purpose-built quiet echo planar imaging capability for fetal functional and diffusion scans, for which acoustic considerations often compromise efficiency and resolution as well as angular/temporal coverage. Methods: The gradient waveforms in multiband-accelerated single-shot echo planar imaging sequences have been redesigned to minimize spectral content. This includes a sinusoidal read-out with a single fundamental frequency, a constant phase encoding gradient, overlapping smoothed CAIPIRINHA blips, and a novel strategy to merge the crushers in diffusion MRI. These changes are then tuned in conjunction with the gradient system frequency response function. Results: Maintained image quality, SNR, and quantitative diffusion values while reducing acoustic noise up to 12 dB (A) is illustrated in two adult experiments. Fetal experiments in 10 subjects covering a range of parameters depict the adaptability and increased efficiency of quiet echo planar imaging. Conclusion: Purpose-built for highly efficient multiband fetal echo planar imaging studies, the presented framework reduces acoustic noise for all echo planar imaging-based sequences. Full optimization by tuning to the gradient frequency response functions allows for a maximally time-efficient scan within safe limits. This allows ambitious in-utero studies such as functional brain imaging with high spatial/temporal resolution and diffusion scans with high angular/spatial resolution to be run in a highly efficient manner at acceptable sound levels.

AB - Purpose: To develop a purpose-built quiet echo planar imaging capability for fetal functional and diffusion scans, for which acoustic considerations often compromise efficiency and resolution as well as angular/temporal coverage. Methods: The gradient waveforms in multiband-accelerated single-shot echo planar imaging sequences have been redesigned to minimize spectral content. This includes a sinusoidal read-out with a single fundamental frequency, a constant phase encoding gradient, overlapping smoothed CAIPIRINHA blips, and a novel strategy to merge the crushers in diffusion MRI. These changes are then tuned in conjunction with the gradient system frequency response function. Results: Maintained image quality, SNR, and quantitative diffusion values while reducing acoustic noise up to 12 dB (A) is illustrated in two adult experiments. Fetal experiments in 10 subjects covering a range of parameters depict the adaptability and increased efficiency of quiet echo planar imaging. Conclusion: Purpose-built for highly efficient multiband fetal echo planar imaging studies, the presented framework reduces acoustic noise for all echo planar imaging-based sequences. Full optimization by tuning to the gradient frequency response functions allows for a maximally time-efficient scan within safe limits. This allows ambitious in-utero studies such as functional brain imaging with high spatial/temporal resolution and diffusion scans with high angular/spatial resolution to be run in a highly efficient manner at acceptable sound levels.

KW - Diffusion MRI

KW - Fetal

KW - Functional MRI

KW - Magnetic resonance imaging

KW - Neuroimaging

KW - Sequence development

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85021353504&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1002/mrm.26810

DO - 10.1002/mrm.26810

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85021353504

SN - 0740-3194

JO - Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

JF - Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

ER -