Scan parameters and the diffusion emphasis effect in diffusion-weighted imaging using a motion-probing gradient preparation pulse.

Abstract

Diffusion-sensitized driven equilibrium preparation (DSDE) is a gradient echo (GRE) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequence that employs a motion-probing gradient (MPG) preparation pulse and phase cycling. In DSDE, several scan parameters of the MPG preparation pulse and the GRE sequence affect diffusion sensitivity. Our investigation of the relationship between these scan parameters and the diffusion emphasis effect revealed the importance of "prep.TE" in the MPG preparation pulse and "TFE shot interval" in the gradient echo sequence. Appropriate choice of these parameters allows DSDE to provide a similar DWI to that of conventional single-shot SEEPI DWI. We therefore concluded DSDE to be a useful DWI method.