DUDE: Diffusion tensor imaging with Ultra-short echo time Double Echo steady state – a proof of concept

The quality of echo-planar diffusion images can suffer from severe distortions and signal dropouts, especially in regions with high susceptibility gradients and rapidly decaying (short T2*) signal. To overcome these problems, we implemented a diffusion sensitive UTE-DESS sequence. The acquisition along six distinct diffusion directions allows for fitting of a diffusion tensor. We show the feasibility of Diffusion tensor imaging with Ultra-short echo time Double Echo steady state (DUDE) at 3T and present preliminary results in the brain of a healthy volunteer.