Readout-segmented EPI using 2D spatially-selective RF excitation pulses for DWI with reduced FOV

In this work, we propose to further minimize the distortion and T2* blurring in DWI by the combination of readout-segmented EPI and 2D spatially-selective RF excitation. We demonstrate its application to DWI of the temporal lobe and the uterus. The experimental results based on volunteer scans show substantial distortion reduction in the proposed method, compared to the conventional 2DRF based single-shot EPI with reduced FOV.