Frequency scouting for cardiac imaging with SSFP at 3 Tesla

Pediatr Radiol. 2006 Oct;36(10):1082-5. doi: 10.1007/s00247-006-0255-6. Epub 2006 Jul 8.

Abstract

Steady-state free precision techniques are often used in cine cardiac MRI, but are highly susceptible to off-resonance artifacts. In this article, we review the types and prevalence of off-resonance artifacts in the left ventricle on a 3 T MR scanner and describe the implementation of a technique to mitigate these artifacts. A group of 16 healthy children underwent SSFP cine imaging in the short axis. The synthesizer frequency was adjusted after scouting for the optimal frequency in a series of SSFP images with different frequency shifts. A total of 136 short-axis slices were examined for artifacts after the frequency adjustment. A significant number of slices in the apex region contained dark bands, flow artifacts and/or bright out-of-plane coherent artifacts. However, only five slices (3.6%) had artifacts that were detrimental to the accurate detection of myocardial boundaries. This technique offers a fast and easy way to suppress off-resonance artifacts in SSFP imaging at 3 T.

MeSH terms

  • Artifacts*
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine / methods*
  • Male
  • Ventricular Function