Diffusion-prepped fast spin echo sequence for prostate MR to overcome distortion and signal loss in diffusion weighted imaging

Motivation: Clinically utilized diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), an essential part of prostate MRI, relies on echo planar imaging (EPI) and is prone to geometric distortion and signal loss due to susceptibility from rectal gas and metal hip prostheses. Goal(s): To improve the robustness of prostate DWI in the setting of field inhomogeneities from hip prostheses and rectal gas. Approach: Prospective study of 10 patients undergoing prostate MRI with diffusion prepped fast spin echo (FSE) sequence, as well as single-shot and multi-shot DW-EPI, comparing prostate measurements. Results: We show feasibility of using a diffusion prepped FSE sequence in prostate MR with decreased distortion and artifact. Impact: A diffusion prepped fast-spin echo sequence avoids distortion and signal loss from susceptibility artifacts seen with echo planar imaging, and is a feasible method to obtain robust diffusion weighted imaging of the prostate.