Does Phase-Based EPT with a Noise-Robust Method Provide Similar Results for GRE and bSSFP Acquisitions?

Motivation: The MagSeg phase-based electrical properties tomography (EPT) method has been shown to reduce noise in GRE but demonstrating its performance for 'gold-standard' bSSFP would broaden its applicability. Goal(s): To investigate the performance of the MagSeg method for bSSFP and GRE. Approach: MagSeg was optimised for each acquisition using a numerical phantom with SNR matched to in-vivo brain data. Tissue conductivity differences were compared for the two acquisitions. Results: MagSeg provided high-quality EPT with clear delineation between different tissue types. bSSFP had slightly lower gray-white matter EPT contrast than GRE, but higher, albeit noiser, CSF conductivities, with a mean closer to values measured ex-vivo. Impact: Using the noise-robust MagSeg method for phase-based EPT in GRE and bSSFP acquisitions provided similar high-quality conductivity maps. This performance for the 'gold-standard' bSSFP acquisition provides validation of this method and a basis for a wide range of applications.