Motion and B0 correction for multiparametric mapping with jointly acquired FID and spherical navigators

Motivation: In cases of motion, multi-echo GRE sequences are susceptible to motion artifacts as well as additional phase errors caused by motion-induced B0 inhomogeneity. Goal(s): Implement jointly acquired FID and spherical navigators for prospective correction of motion and retrospective correction of field offsets in a multi-echo GRE protocol for multiparametric mapping. Approach: One volunteer was scanned with/without prospective motion correction. Motion was guided by visual prompt to produce repeatable and clinically relevant trajectories. Results: Prospective motion correction alone provided a notable improvement in image quality, as well as quantitative fat-fraction, R2*, and susceptibility maps. Additional retrospective correction of field offsets reduced residual artifacts. Impact: Combining spherical navigators with an additional FID readout is a promising approach to simultaneous motion and B0 correction with multiple applications, including quantitative mapping techniques.