Modulated repetition time look-locker (MORTLL): a method for rapid high resolution three-dimensional T1 mapping.

PURPOSE To demonstrate a modification of the Look-Locker (LL) technique that enables rapid high resolution T1 mapping over the physiologic range of intracranial T1 values, ranging from white matter to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This is achieved by use of a three-dimensional (3D) balanced steady-state free precession (b-SSFP) acquisition (for high signal-to-noise and resolution) along with variable repetition time to allow effective full recovery of longitudinal magnetization. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two modifications to the Look-Locker technique were made to realize high resolution imaging in a clinically reasonable scan time. The 3D b-SSFP acquisition after an initial inversion pulse was followed by a variable repetition time. This technique makes it possible to image a volume of thin contiguous slices with high resolution and accuracy using a simple fitting procedure and is particularly useful for imaging long T1 species such as CSF. The total scan time is directly proportional to the number of slices to be acquired. The scan time was reduced by almost half when the repetition time was modified using a predesigned smooth function. Phantoms and volunteers were imaged at different resolutions on a 3 Tesla scanner. Results were compared with other accepted techniques. RESULTS T1 values in the brain corresponded well with full repetition time imaging as well as inversion recovery spin echo imaging. T1 values for white matter, gray matter, and CSF were measured to be 755 +/- 10 ms, 1202 +/- 9 ms, and 4482 +/- 71 ms, respectively. Scan times were reduced by approximately half over full repetition time measurements. CONCLUSION High resolution T1 maps can be obtained rapidly and with a relatively simple postprocessing method. The technique is particularly well suited for long T1 species. For example, changes in the composition of proteins in CSF are linked to various pathologies. The T1 values showed excellent agreement with values obtained from inversion recovery spin-echo imaging.