Abstract #2437

Finsterbusch J, Koch M

The main reason for the inherent lower SNR of single-shot STEAM is the low flip angle in the readout interval that is required to avoid image blurring and depends on the ratio of the resolution and FOV in phase-encoding direction. This is in particular a problem if only a small FOV is of interest but a larger one must be acquired to avoid aliasing as for instance in spine imaging. For these applications, cross-sectional RF excitations can be used to reduce the FOV without aliasing and enhance the SNR due to the larger flip angle that can be used.