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Abstract #3031

"Spin-Echo Like T1 Contrast" Volumetric Black-Blood Images Using 3D LOWRAT: Low Refocusing Flip Angle TSE.

Masami Yoneyama1, Masanobu Nakamura1, Takashi Tabuchi1, Atsushi Takemura2, Junko Ogura1

1Medical Satellite Yaesu Clinic, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan; 2Philips Electronics Japan, Ltd., Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan


T1 weighted 3D VRFA-TSE sequence is decreasing flow artifacts by sequence-endogenous flow-void enhancement. But, T1 contrast becomes sub-optimal with the long echo train and pseudo steady-state effects. We propose a new scheme of more T1-optimized black-blood 3D TSE pulse sequence with low refocusing flip angles. Volunteer experiments were acquired in 3D low refocusing flip angle TSE (LOWRAT) using a 3.0T imager. The optimal parameter for T1-optimized black-blood imaging was low excitation flip angles, low refocusing flip angles, NPHA pseudo steady-state preparation, short ETL, best echo number for K-space center=2nd echo, and shortest TR. Contrast behavior of 3D LOWRAT T1W was similar to that of 2D SE. This optimal sequences can be used for 3D volumetric T1 weighted black-blood imaging.