Key result
Flip angle profile correction provided excellent to acceptable muscle T1 estimates (mean error -0.6% to 6.8%) but less accurate T2 estimates (mean error 31.2% to 47.9%) compared to 2D spin echo.
Flip angle profile correction improves T1 mapping accuracy in steady-state free precession imaging, though T2 mapping remains less accurate.
Fast methods using balanced steady-state free precession have been developed to reduce the scan time of T₁ and T₂ mapping. However, flip angle (FA) profiles created by the short radiofrequency pulses used in steady-state free precession deviate substantially from the ideal rectangular profile, causing T₁ and T₂ mapping errors. The purpose of this study was to develop a FA profile correction for T₁ and T₂ mapping with Look-Locker 2D inversion recovery steady-state free precession and to validate this method using 2D spin echo as a reference standard. Phantom studies showed consistent improvement in T₁ and T₂ accuracy using profile correction at multiple FAs. Over six human calves, profile correction provided muscle T₁ estimates with mean error ranging from excellent (-0.6%) at repetition time/FA = 18 ms/60° to acceptable (6.8%) at repetition time/FA = 4.9 ms/30°, while muscle T₂ estimates were less accurate with mean errors of 31.2% and 47.9%, respectively.
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Cooper et al. (2012) studied this question. Flip angle profile correction for T1 and T2 mapping vs. 2D spin echo was evaluated on T1 and T2 mapping accuracy. Flip angle profile correction provided excellent to acceptable muscle T1 estimates (mean error -0.6% to 6.8%) but less accurate T2 estimates (mean error 31.2% to 47.9%) compared to 2D spin echo.
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