A RAPID INTERLEAVED METHOD FOR MEASURING SIGNAL INTENSITY CURVES IN BOTH BLOOD AND TISSUE DURING CONTRAST AGENT ADMINISTRATION

A method has been developed that uses dynamic MR imaging to measure si multaneously the changes in signal intensity due to paramagnetic contr ast agent in blood and tissue, using interleaved single-angle projecti on and imaging sequences. The basic projection/image sequence has a pr ojection time resolution of 50 ms and can measure rapid changes in the blood signal intensity. Variants with a tissue suppression slab have time resolutions of 57 or 75 ms. Orientation of the projection and ima ge planes can be defined independently. This technique will facilitate functional measurements using MR contrast agents, allowing the blood input function to be determined with excellent time resolution.