Two-dimensional accelerated MP-RAGE imaging with flexible linear reordering.

OBJECT: Implementation of an accelerated Magnetization Prepared RApid Gradient Echo (MP-RAGE) sequence for T1 weighted neuroimaging; exploiting modern MRI technologies to minimize scan time while preserving the image quality.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A custom MP-RAGE sequence was implemented on a state-of-the-art 3T MR scanner equipped with a 32-channel receiver array head coil. The sequence utilized a shifted CAIPIRINHA k y -k z under-sampling pattern combined with elliptical scanning and a two-dimensional view ordering scheme to achieve high parallel imaging acceleration factors at maintained image contrast.
RESULTS: It could be shown that MP-RAGE accelerated in two k-space directions outperforms single direction acceleration, which is the common practice with standard view ordering. Applying the CAIPIRINHA technique in conjunction with elliptical scanning further increased this benefit.
CONCLUSION: By combining MP-RAGE with CAIPIRINHA sampling and elliptical scanning, the scan time can be reduced from 4-5 min to 2-3 min with insignificant reduction in image quality.