Zoomed EPI Using Parallel Transmission: Impact on Image Quality of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging of the Prostate at 3T

Andrew B. Rosenkrantz¹, Christian Geppert², Josef Pfeuffer³, David J. Mossa¹, Hersh Chandarana¹

Six volunteers underwent 3T phased-array coil prostate MRI including DWI performed with both standard EPI and with zoomed EPI incorporating parallel transmission (pTx) and 2D-selective RF pulses. Compared with standard EPI, zoomed EPI showed improved ghosting, wrap artifact, clarity of prostate capsule, and clarity of peri-urethral region on b-1000 images, as well as improved clarity of prostate capsule and overall image quality on the ADC maps. There was a small but significant increase in prostate ADC with zoomed EPI. While zoomed EPI with pTx has potential to improve prostate DWI at 3T, further optimization using smaller FOV remains necessary.