Reproducibility of rapid multi-parameter mapping at 3T and 7T with highly segmented and accelerated 3D-EPI

Abstract

Purpose: Quantitative multi-parameter mapping (MPM) has been shown to provide good longitudinal and cross-sectional reproducibility for clinical research. Unfortunately, acquisition times (TAs) are typically infeasible for routine scanning at high resolutions. Methods: A fast whole-brain MPM protocol based on interleaved multi-shot 3D-EPI with controlled aliasing (SC-EPI) at 3T and 7T is proposed and compared with MPM using a standard spoiled gradient echo (FLASH) sequence. Four parameters (R1, PD, (Formula presented.), and MTsat) were measured in less than 3 min at 1 mm isotropic resolution. Five subjects went through the same scanning sessions twice at each scanner. The intra-subject coefficient of variation (scan–rescan) (CoV) was estimated for each protocol and scanner to assess the longitudinal reproducibility. Results: At 3T, the CoV of SC-EPI ranged between 1.2%–4.8% for PD and R1, 2.8%–10.6% for (Formula presented.) and MTsat, which was comparable with FLASH (0.6%–4.9% for PD and R1, 2.6%–11.3% for (Formula presented.) and MTsat). At 7T, where the SC-EPI TA was reduced to ∼2 min, the CoV of SC-EPI (1.4%–10.6% for PD, R1, and (Formula presented.)) was 1.2–2.4 times larger than the CoV of FLASH (1.0%–15%) and MTsat showed much higher variability across subjects. The SC-EPI-MPM protocol at 3T showed high reproducibility and yielded stable quantitative maps at a clinically feasible resolution and scan time, whereas at 7T, MT saturation homogeneity needs to be improved. Conclusion: SC-EPI-based MPM is feasible as an additional MRI modality in clinical or population studies where the parameters offer great potential as biomarkers.