Several methods exist for increasing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in high spatial resolution imaging, e.g., by using reduced field-of-view techniques or reduced echo-times (TE). Here, a novel module dubbed “highly asymmetric STEAM" (HASTEAM) is proposed, where the stimulated echo (STE) occurs prior to the EPI readout and thus maintains a constant duration of STE preparation, independent of the acquisition matrix-size. This shortens TE and allows for higher SNR, in particular for high spatial resolutions. SNR gain of HASTEAM over the standard STEAM is simulated and compared to in vivo results for different resolutions in structural and diffusion-weighted imaging.
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