Abstract #3176

Simultaneous Multi-Slab Acquisition in 3D Multi-Slab Diffusion-Weighted Readout-Segmented Echo-Planar Imaging

Robert Frost¹, Peter Jezzard¹, David A. Porter², Karla L. Miller¹

¹FMRIB Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; ²Healthcare Sector, Siemens AG, Erlangen, Germany

Readout-segmented echo-planar imaging (rs-EPI) acquires robust, high-quality diffusion-weighted images using a navigated, multi-shot acquisition. However, the scan times are extended roughly by the number of readout segments compared to single-shot echo-planar imaging. Here we present simultaneous multi-slab acceleration in a 3D multi-slab rs-EPI sequence that enables full brain coverage in SNR-optimal TR of 1-2s, which is difficult to achieve with conventional 2D or 3D methods. The modified sequence is used to acquire 1.5mm isotropic trace-weighted data with whole-brain coverage.