Techniques and Optimization 2
It is demonstrated how simple phantoms may be used to improve image quality so that high-quality images can be attained consistently and is provided to enable the reader to develop their own practical diffusion-weighted imaging protocols in the body.
Abstract
In this chapter, we discuss the factors that affect image quality of DW-MRI and practical methods to improve the quality of DW-MR images obtained from clinical scanners. We demonstrate how simple phantoms may be used to improve image quality so that high-quality images can be attained consistently. We review the relative merits of fat-suppression schemes and how these may be applied to different clinical applications. We discuss the optimization of b-values and the number of b-values required for clinical imaging and further illustrate the range of considerations required for these choices. We survey the different data acquisition methods using breath-holding, physiological gating or free breathing, and how the choice of data acquisition method may relate to a particular scanning application. Finally, we provide recommendations to enable the reader to develop their own practical diffusion-weighted imaging protocols in the body.