Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed with a high-resolu
tion segmented echo-planar imaging technique, which provided images with su
bstantially less susceptibility artifacts than images obtained with single-
shot echo-planar imaging (EPI). Diffusion imaging performed with any multis
hot pulse sequence is inherently sensitive to motion artifacts and in order
to reduce motion artifacts, the presented method utilizes navigator echo p
hase corrections, performed after a one-dimensional Fourier transform along
the frequency-encoding direction. Navigator echo phases were fitted to a s
traight line prior to phase correction to avoid errors from internal motion
. In vivo imaging was performed using electro cardiographic (ECG) triggerin
g. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were calculated on a pixel-by-
pixel basis using up to seven diffusion sensitivities, ranging from b = 0 t
o 1129 x 10(6) s/m(2). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.