ECHO-PLANAR IMAGING OF THE BRAIN AT 3.0-T - FIRST NORMAL VOLUNTEER RESULTS

Objective: To present the first echo-planar brain images of diagnostic quality obtained at 3.0 T and to point out some of the problems experienced in performing it. Materials and Methods: The results presented were obtained on volunteers using an in-house designed and constructed 3.0 T EPI imager. Results: The results demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining snapshot imaging comprising up to 256 x 256 pixels and corresponding to a spatial resolution of 0.75 x 0.75 mm(2) with a slice thickness of 2.5 mm. Conclusion: Potentially augmented diagnostic information can be obtained with high field EPI of the brain. Some susceptibility artifact is apparent at the bone-air interfaces as expected at 3.0 T.