High-resolution diffusion imaging with DIFRAD-FSE (diffusion-weighted radial acquisition of data with fast spin-echo) MRI

A novel MRI method, DIFRAD-FSE (diffusion-weighted radial acquisition of da ta with fast spin-echo), is demonstrated that enables rapid, high-resolutio n multi-shot diffusion-weighted MRI without significant artifacts due to mo tion, Following a diffusion-weighting spin-echo preparation period, multipl e radial lines of Fourier data are acquired using spin-echo refocusing. Ima ges can be reconstructed from the radial data set using a magnitude-only fi ltered back-projection reconstruction algorithm that removes phase errors d ue to motion. Results from human brain imaging demonstrate the ability of D IFRAD-FSE to acquire multiple radial lines of Fourier data each TR period w ithout significant artifacts due to relaxation and to produce high-resoluti on diffusion-weighted MR images without significant artifacts from motion, Magn Reson Med 42:11-18, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.