Rapid gradient echo magnitude- and phase-based mapping of T2 and T1 using skipped-CAIPI 3D-EPI at 3T

A recent study demonstrated that phase-based T2 mapping with 3D-GRE is feasible. Only two phase images acquired with a small RF spoiling phase increment are needed to generate high-quality T2 maps. Here, we investigated simultaneous T2 and T1 mapping at 3T, by including the magnitude and more phase increments acquired rapidly with a skipped-CAIPI 3D-EPI sequence. This method is able to simultaneously provide T2 and T1 maps within 4-8 minutes. In addition to multiparametric mapping, a phase-based T2 map can be provided in less than 1 minute.