Simulation-based optimization and experimental comparison of intracranial T2-weighted DANTE-SPACE vessel wall imaging at 3T and 7T

Motivation: T2-weighted DANTE-SPACE is a promising sequence for intracranial black-blood vessel wall imaging at 7T. However, it is limited by signal and contrast variations and its performance versus 3T remains unclear. Goal(s): To optimize T2-weighted DANTE-SPACE at both 3T and 7T, and to quantitatively compare their performance. Approach: A recently introduced DANTE-SPACE simulation framework was used for protocol optimization. Data acquired from six healthy volunteers at 3T and 7T were then quantitatively compared. Results: Optimization of DANTE-SPACE parameters at 7T provides a 24% increase in vessel visibility over a literature protocol. Contrasts at 7T are 90% higher than at 3T. Impact: Through simulation-based optimization, the vessel wall contrasts from T2-weighted DANTE-SPACE at 7T were improved by 24% versus a literature protocol. When optimized and implemented at 3T, in-vivo data showed a much lower vessel wall contrast-to-noise relative to 7T.