T2*-weighted (T2*w)
gradient-echo (GRE) sequences are commonly used in neuroimaging to depict
hemorrhage, calcification and iron deposition. Compared to three-dimensional
(3D) GRE sequences, 2D GRE sequences are more sensitive to the deleterious T2*
effects at air-tissue interfaces. However, 3D Cartesian high-resolution T2*w
GRE sequences usually require long scan times, because of the preferred long
TRs and TEs. In this study, we implement a fast, scan efficient 3D T2*w imaging
method with a distributed spiral in-out trajectory.