Fast bias-corrected conductivity mapping using stimulated echoes.

Abstract

Objective: To demonstrate the potential of a double angle stimulated echo (DA-STE) method for fast and accurate "full" homogeneous Helmholtz-based electrical properties tomography using a simultaneous $B_1^{+}$ magnitude and transceive phase measurement.

Methods: The combination of a spin and stimulated echo can be used to yield an estimate of both $B_1^{+}$ magnitude and transceive phase and thus provides the means for "full" EPT reconstruction. An interleaved 2D acquisition scheme is used for rapid acquisition. The method was validated in a saline phantom and compared to a double angle method based on two single gradient echo acquisitions (GRE-DAM). The method was evaluated in the brain of a healthy volunteer.

Results: The $B_1^{+}$ magnitude obtained with DA-STE showed excellent agreement with the GRE-DAM method. Conductivity values based on the "full" EPT reconstruction also agreed well with the expectations in the saline phantom. In the brain, the method delivered conductivity values close to literature values.

Discussion: The method allows the use of the "full" Helmholtz-based EPT reconstruction without the need for additional measurements. As a result, quantitative conductivity values are improved compared to phase-based EPT reconstructions. DA-STE is a fast complex- $B_1^{+}$ mapping technique that could render EPT clinically relevant at 3 T.