Towards a single-sequence neurologic magnetic resonance imaging examination: multiple-contrast images from an IR TrueFISP experiment

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to reconstruct images bearing multiple contrasts from a single sequence magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experiment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a segmented IR-TrueFISP imaging sequence, the signal recovery after inversion and alpha/2 preparation was sampled in 6 volunteers. These images were used to generate T1, T2, and spin-density maps, allowing construction of images with multiple contrasts, including T1-, T2-, spin-density-weighted, and also FLAIR contrast. Traditionally acquired images bearing the corresponding contrast were obtained for comparison. Regression analysis was performed to compare the synthetic and traditionally acquired images for the whole brain and a region of interest in the occipital region. RESULTS: The synthetic images closely reproduced the contrast from the "standard" examination. Using regression analysis, the obtained image signal intensities for the calculated images compare favorably (P <0.0001-<0.000001) with images acquired using multiple sequences. CONCLUSIONS: Perfectly registered images with any desired contrast based on T1, T2, and spin density, along with underlying quantitative maps, can be obtained using a single IR-TrueFISP sequence.