Abstract #2283

Haystead C, Dale B, Merkle E

MR cholangiography was performed at 3.0T using a novel pulse sequence called SPACE to improve image quality and temporal resolution. Datasets were acquired in 29 human subjects and compared to a standard respiratory triggered 3D TSE T2w sequence. Utilization of the SPACE pulse sequence resulted in elimination of N/2 ghosting artifacts and decrease in background signal. Despite the statistically lower signal-to-noise ratio, image quality (evaluated by two independent readers) proved to be statistically superior on SPACE imaging. Additionally, SPACE imaging also offered statistically better temporal resolution. Dielectric artifacts on the other hand were slightly more pronounced on the SPACE sequence.