Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) targets a fundamental MR-parameter but is problematic due to the presence of a strong background and local field variations. These may cause multiple phase wraps which are particularly prominent at high fields and long echo-times. We propose automated tissue masking excluding brain areas with excessive phase wraps and show how this approach can improve the quality of QSM. Performance was evaluated with regard to iron quantification in subcortical and cortical areas, and was compared with R2* maps in the same 21 subjects aged 19-56y and literature values.
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