We describe a novel class of steady-state pulse sequence called T1 Relaxation-Enhanced Steady-State (T1RESS). Several versions have been implemented including: (a) “bright blood” balanced T1RESS (bT1RESS), and (b) “dark blood” unbalanced T1RESS (uT1RESS). There is also a two-echo Dixon version for fat/water separation. In a brain tumor study, contrast-enhanced T1RESS demonstrated a remarkable two-fold improvement in tumor-to-brain contrast as well as enhanced SNR compared with standard neuroimaging techniques, including MP-RAGE and T1 SPACE. Our initial results suggest that T1RESS has great potential for oncological imaging in the brain, and with further development in other organ systems as well.
This abstract and the presentation materials are available to members only; a login is required.