Simultaneous acquisition of multiple resolution images for dynamic contrast enhanced imaging of the breast

An imaging technique is described that allows the reconstruction of a serie s of images at high temporal rates, while simultaneously providing images a t high spatial resolution. The method allows one to arbitrarily choose from among several combinations of temporal/spatial resolutions during postproc essing. This flexibility is accomplished by strategically interleaving mult iple undersampled projection reconstruction datasets (or subapertures), in which each set can be used to reconstruct a high temporal resolution image. Images with increasingly higher spatial resolutions can subsequently be fo rmed by combining two or more subaperture datasets. The technique is demons trated in vivo to assess the kinetics of contrast enhancement and to visual ize the architectural features of suspicious breast lesions. (C) 2001 Wiley -Liss, Inc.