3D Turbo-Spin-Echo with VERSE Excitation Improves SNR for Brachial Plexus Magnetic Resonance Neurography

Motivation: The conventional slab-selective 3D TSE approach for brachial plexus magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) has a longer echo spacing for the first refocusing pulse and hence violates CPMG conditions. The signal available can decrease significantly due to field inhomogeneities. Goal(s): We aimed to improve slab-selective 3D TSE for brachial plexus MRN. Approach: We incorporated the variable-rate selective excitation (VERSE) method to shorten the excitation pulse duration and eliminate the need for the first long-echo-spacing refocusing module. Results: The 3D TSE with VERSE excitation achieved higher SNR in both phantom and in-vivo experiments. Impact: The proposed 3D TSE using VERSE excitation improved slab-selective imaging in brachial plexus MRN with higher SNR when compared to the conventional approach.