Accelerating CEST MRI: A comparative study of multi-shot 3DFSE techniques for improved scan efficiency

Motivation: CEST MRI needs faster, clinically viable 3D acquisition methods. This study addresses optimizing CEST protocols for better efficiency and quality in clinical settings. Goal(s): The goal is to optimize multi-shot-3DFSE protocols by comparing Two-, Three-, and Four-Shot methods to improve CEST contrast, reduce scan time, and decrease motion sensitivity. Approach: Multi-shot-3DFSE CEST imaging was tested on a CEST phantom and clinical subject using Two, Three, and Four-Shot protocols, focusing on image resolution, CEST contrast, and scan time. Results: The Two-Shot-3DFSE protocol achieved comparable CEST contrast, reduced scan time, adequate image quality, enabling faster, motion-resilient imaging for clinical use. Impact: This study enables faster, more accessible CEST MRI with clinically viable multi-shot-3DFSE protocols, allowing reduced motion sensitivity and enhanced efficiency. These findings may inspire further exploration of accelerated imaging techniques, benefiting both clinical diagnostics and future CEST research applications.