Abstract #4971

Observation and Mitigation of Magnetization Transfer Effects in the two-point 3D Variable Flip Angle T1 Mapping Technique at 3T

Jean-David Jutras¹, Atefeh Kordzadeh², and Nicola De Zanche^3,4

¹Medical Physics, Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario, Kingston, ON, Canada, ²Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, ³Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, ⁴Medical Physics, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, AB, Canada

The Variable Flip Angle (VFA) T₁ mapping technique has been employed extensively in the past given its high contrast-to-noise ratio per unit scan time. However, its sensitivity to B₁ field inhomogeneity and imperfect spoiling hinders its reproducibility among different scanners and imaging centers. In this study, we investigate the impact of magnetization transfer (MT) effects in a 3D VFA technique using fixed flip angles, while varying B₁ amplitudes and durations, following corrections for non-ideal RF spoiling and RF inhomogeneity. We show that via careful tuning of the RF pulse amplitudes and durations, MT effects can be mitigated, yielding T₁ measurements that match closely with a gold-standard IR-EPI technique.

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