A novel fast T1‐mapping method

Abstract

The authors present a novel fast T1‐mapping technique that allows a T1 map to be reconstructed from data acquired in less than 3 seconds. Data were acquired by using two modified TurboFLASH (fast low‐angle shot) sequences and were processed with a combination of one‐dimensional Fourier transforms and a parameter‐fitting routine, instead of a standard two‐dimensional Fourier transform. Apparent T1 (T1*) maps were obtained, from which T1 maps were calculated. Comparisons of T1 values obtained in phantoms and the human brain by using this technique with those obtained with multipoint inversion‐recovery T1 mapping showed that the new method yielded accurate T1 values. Optimization of the method will further improve speed and accuracy. The general approach of this T1‐mapping technique is believed to be also applicable to other problems, such as T2 and T2* mapping.