A Two-Stage Super-Resolution (TSSR) CEST Model Using Deep-Learning Reconstruction

CEST is an important source of new contrast in MRI. However, it is time-consuming to obtain high-resolution CEST images. We proposed a deep learning based Two-Stage Super-Resolution (TSSR) model for CEST images. Compared with conventional SISR or MFSR models, TSSR model can effectively utilize the correlations among slices and those among saturation offsets for CEST images. We acquired brain CEST images on 14 volunteers using a 3T clinical MR scanner. Initial results suggested that the proposed TSSR model outperformed other methods for all the evaluation indicators. Our work showed the potential in reconstruction of high-resolution CEST images from low-resolution ones.