To perform Dixon MRI, generate multi-contrast images, and extract multi-parametric maps, this invention presents a multi-echo gradient echo protocol with two sets of echo trains. An example implementation of the invention at 3 T acquires a short-TE train (ΔTE˜1.2 ms, TE<10 ms), which is used to map B0 inhomogeneity and proton density fat fraction (FF), and a second—susceptibility sensitive—long-TE train (16 ms<TE<45 ms) will enable quantification of local frequency shift (LFS) and susceptibility. The presented pipeline automatically generates co-registered images and maps with/without fat-suppressed, including magnitude- and complex-based FF map, B0 map, anatomical images, brain mask, R2* map, unwrapped phase maps for each echo, susceptibility-sensitive images (SWI, LFS and quantitative susceptibility) for each echo, mean susceptibility-sensitive images for each echo-train. The invention is directly applicable to whole head/neck, liver, knee or even whole body scans with sliding table.
Method for dixon MRI, multi-contrast imaging and multi-parametric mapping with a single multi-echo gradient-recalled echo acquisition