High-resolution multi-T-1-weighted contrast and T(1)mapping with lowB1>+sensitivity using the fluid and white matter suppression (FLAWS) sequence at 7T
Résumé
Purpose - To demonstrate that fluid and white matter suppression (FLAWS) imaging can be used for high-resolution T mapping with low transmitted bias field ( ) sensitivity at 7T. Methods - The FLAWS sequence was optimized for 0.8-mm isotropic resolution imaging. The theoretical accuracy and precision of the FLAWS T mapping was compared with the one of the magnetization-prepared two rapid gradient echoes (MP2RAGE) sequence optimized for low sensitivity. FLAWS images were acquired at 7T on six healthy volunteers (21 to 48 years old; two women). MP2RAGE and saturation-prepared with two rapid gradient echoes (SA2RAGE) datasets were also acquired to obtain T mapping references and maps. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between brain tissues was measured in the FLAWS-hco and MP2RAGE-uni images. The Pearson correlation was measured between the MP2RAGE and FLAWS T maps. The effect of on FLAWS T mapping was assessed using the Pearson correlation. Results - The FLAWS-hco images were characterized by a higher brain tissue CNR ( , , ) than the MP2RAGE-uni images ( , , ). The theoretical accuracy and precision of the FLAWS T mapping ( ) were in agreement with those provided by the MP2RAGE T mapping ( ). A good agreement was found between in vivo T values measured with the MP2RAGE and FLAWS sequences (r = 0.91). A weak correlation was found between the FLAWS T map and the map within cortical gray matter and white matter segmentations ( ; ). Conclusion - The results from this study suggest that FLAWS is a good candidate for high-resolution T -weighted imaging and T mapping at the field strength of 7T.