Imaging with positive T 1-contrast using superstimulated echoes

Abstract

This article presents the basic principles of the superstimulated echo mechanism and shows preliminary results of its application to T 1-weighted imaging with positive T 1-contrast. A superstimulated echo scheme uses a preparation of square-wave modulated, periodically inverted z-magnetization, which after signal evolution during the mixing time TM is fully converted into transverse magnetization. This avoids the 50% signal loss of a conventional stimulated echo. Furthermore, its implementation as a preparation module for standard turbo spin echo (TSE) imaging allows producing images with positive T 1-contrast. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.