Rapid High Resolution 3D Volume Imaging of the Human Brain Using Spin Echo EPI, Parallel Imaging, Reduced-FOV Methods, and Oversampling Reduction at 7T

Christopher Joseph Wargo¹, John C. Gore¹

The aims of this research were to develop and evaluate an inner volume imaging approach to achieve high resolution with dramatically reduced scan times at the ultra-high field strength of 7T. This was accomplished using a combination of 3D multi-shot and single-shot EPI, parallel imaging using SENSE, reduced-FOV methods, and volume oversampling reduction by applying outer-volume suppression (OVS) bands at the ends of the 3D volume. Both 500 and 300 micron resolutions were achieved in the human midbrain without artifacts, within 3 to 7 minutes.