A reduction in scan time in spectroscopic imaging (SI) can be achieved by both fast and reduced k-space sampling. This work presents an ultrafast SI technique that combines the two approaches. The synergy of multiple spin-echo (MSE) acquisition and sensitivity encoding (SENSE) enables high-resolution SI to be performed within a clinically acceptable scan time. MSE-SENSE-SI with echo train lengths ranging from one to four echoes is evaluated with respect to SNR and spatial response function by means of in vitro experiments. It is shown that acquiring two spin-echoes (SEs) per acquisition yields a good practical trade-off among scan time, SNR, and spatial response. The clinical feasibility of the technique is demonstrated in a patient with an astrocytoma, and SI data are obtained with an image matrix of 24 x 24 in just over 2 min.
Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.