Echo-Planar Imaging of the Brain at 3.0 T

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To present the first echo-planar brain images of diagnostic quality obtained at 3.0 T and to point out some of the problems experienced in performing it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The results presented were obtained on volunteers using an in-house designed and constructed 3.0 T EPI imager. RESULTS: The results demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining snapshot imaging comprising up to 256 x 256 pixels and corresponding to a spatial resolution of 0.75 x 0.75 mm2 with a slice thickness of 2.5 mm. CONCLUSION: Potentially augmented diagnostic information can be obtained with high field EPI of the brain. Some susceptibility artifact is apparent at the bone-air interfaces as expected at 3.0 T.