T2-weighted balanced SSFP imaging (T2-TIDE) using variable flip angles

A new technique for acquiring T-2-weighted, balanced steady-state free precession (b-SSFP) images is presented. Based on the recently proposed transition into driven equilibrium (TIDE) method, T-2-TIDE uses a special flip angle scheme to achieve T-2-weighted signal decay during the transient phase. In combination with half-Fourier image acquisition, T-2-weighted images can be obtained using T-2-TIDE. Numerical simulations were performed to analyze the signal behavior of T-2-TIDE in comparison with TSE and b-SSFP. The results indicate identical signal evolution of T-2-TIDE and TSE during the transient phase. T-2-TIDE was used in phantom experiments, and quantitative ROI analysis shows a linear relationship between TSE and T-2-TIDE SNR values. T-2-TIDE was also applied to abdominal and head imaging on healthy volunteers. The resulting images were analyzed quantitatively and compared with standard T-2-weighted and standard b-SSFP methods. T-2-TIDE images clearly revealed T-2 contrast and less blurring compared to T-2-HASTE images. In combination with a magnetization preparation technique, STIR-weighted images were obtained. T.-TIDE is a robust technique for acquiring T-2-weighted images while exploiting the advantages of b-SSFP imaging, such as high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and short TFIs.