DATA-ACQUISITION AND POSTPROCESSING STRATEGIES FOR FAST QUANTITATIVE SODIUM IMAGING

An efficient scheme for quantitatively mapping the three-dimensional d istribution of the sodium ion in viva using magnetic resonance imaging is described. To make the methodology totally quantitative, the data acquisition scheme is performed with very short echo times and negligi ble T-1 saturation. Removal of signal variation due to imperfect radio frequency [RF) response is accomplished using RF inhomogeneity maps ac quired during each study. The high efficiency of the k-space trajector ies allows the entire data collection process to be performed in under 10 min. The theory underlying the data collection and processing sche me is described along with representative examples acquired at 1.5 and 3.0 T. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.