Highly Accelerated 3D EPI CEST Imaging using Unevenly Segmented RF Irradiation with Temporal Random Walk Sampling Pattern in a Brain Tumor Patient

We proposed a new 3D EPI CEST imaging integrated with unevenly segmented RF irradiation configuration to reduce T1w relaxation-induced signal modulation, thereby allowing for a reliable CEST effect over the whole volume. In addition, a temporal random walk with variable density (VD) CAIPI undersampling is incorporated into segmented 3D EPI for optimized random encoding in CEST imaging. The proposed pulse sequence and reconstruction framework were validated on the phantom and tumor patient.