Fast acquisition of quantitative T-2 maps

A rapid new technique called T-2 fast acquisition relaxation mapping (T-2 F ARM) was developed to allow T-2 maps to be reconstructed directly from k-sp ace data acquired in 3 sec. A single acquisition measured two sets of k-spa ce data, the first with T-1 and T-2 weighting independent of phase encode p osition, and the second with T-2 weighting varying with phase encode positi on. These data were processed using an iterative least squares algorithm to produce a quantitative Tp map from the k-space data. T-2 values of phantom s and an egg were determined from T-2 FARM maps and spectroscopic Carr-Purc ell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) measurements, demonstrating the validity of the new technique. Magn Reson Med 41:208-212, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.