Model-Based Reconstruction for Joint Estimation of Multiple Quantitative Maps in the Liver Using Single-Shot IR Multi-Echo Radial FLASH

Motivation: Rapid acquisition and reconstruction of high-quality liver water-specific $$$T_1$$$, $$$R_2^*$$$, $$$B_0$$$ field, and fat-fraction maps to enhance diagnostic feasibility and to improve patient comfort. Goal(s): Integrating a multi-parameter-sensitive sequence with advanced model-based reconstruction to jointly estimate quantitative maps from 4-second acquisitions. Approach: Integrate an analytical signal model into a calibration-free, model-based reconstruction framework to jointly estimate water-specific $$$T_1$$$, $$$R_2^⁎$$$, $$$B_0$$$ field, and fat-fraction maps of the liver from a 4-second single-shot inversion-recovery multi-echo radial FLASH acquisition. Results: Numerical phantom study and in-vivo liver reconstructions demonstrate high quantitative accuracy for all parameter maps. Impact: By combining a highly sensitive sequence with model-based reconstructions, this work reduces acquisition times for quantitative water-specific $$$T_1$$$, $$$R_2^⁎$$$, $$$B_0$$$ field and fat-fraction maps to 4s and makes quantitative multi-parametric MRI more accessible and convenient for diagnostic purposes.