Parallel contrast imaging from multi-echo SSFP

Motivation: Multi-echo steady-state acquisitions (Dual/Triple Echo Steady State) allow for the acquisition of multi-contrast images, but only in a sequential manner, which is time-inefficient, and requires substantial gradient spoiling to avoid banding artifacts. Goal(s): Our goal was to introduce an alternative multi-contrast acquisition with parallel imaging capabilities. Approach: By exploiting the effects of partial RF spoiling in Fluctuating Equilibrium MR (FEMR) imaging, we devised a novel acquisition strategy enabling simultaneous acquisition of aliased multi-contrast images and their subsequent reconstruction via SENSE. Results: Implemented in 3D, our approach yields multiple images in one acquisition while providing flexibility over the acquired imaging contrasts. Impact: This new acquisition strategy offers more time-efficient multi-contrast imaging while also reducing gradient requirements in comparison to existing approaches, creating new opportunities for rapid quantitative imaging experiments in healthy and diseased tissue.