(SENSE) A MRI technique for relevant scan time reduction. The spatial information related to the coils of a receiver array are utilized for reducing conventional Fourier encoding. In principle, SENSE can be applied to any imaging sequence and k-space trajectories. However, it is particularly feasible for Cartesian sampling schemes. In 2D Fourier imaging with common Cartesian sampling of k-space sensitivity encoding by means of a receiver array enables to reduce the number of Fourier encoding steps.
SENSE reconstruction without artifacts relies on accurate knowledge of the individual coil sensitivities. For sensitivity assessment, low-resolution, fully Fourier-encoded reference images are required, obtained with each array element and with a body coil.
The major negative point of parallel imaging techniques is that they diminish SNR in proportion to the numbers of reduction factors. R is the factor by which the number of k-space samples is reduced. In standard Fourier imaging reducing the sampling density results in the reduction of the FOV, causing aliasing. In fact, SENSE reconstruction in the Cartesian case is efficiently performed by first creating one such aliased image for each array element using discrete Fourier transformation (DFT).
The next step then is to create a full-FOV image from the set of intermediate images. To achieve this one must undo the signal superposition underlying the fold-over effect. That is, for each pixel in the reduced FOV the signal contributions from a number of positions in the full FOV need to be separated. These positions form a Cartesian grid corresponding to the size of the reduced FOV.
The advantages are especially true for contrast-enhanced MR imaging such as dynamic liver MRI (liver imaging) , 3 dimensional magnetic resonance angiography (3D MRA), and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography (MRCP).
The excellent scan speed of SENSE allows for acquisition of two separate sets of hepatic MR images within the time regarded as the hepatic arterial-phase (double arterial-phase technique) as well as that of multidetector CT.
SENSE can also increase the time efficiency of spatial signal encoding in 3D MRA. With SENSE, even ultrafast (sub second) 4D MRA can be realized.
For MRCP acquisition, high-resolution 3D MRCP images can be constantly provided by SENSE. This is because SENSE resolves the presence of the severe motion artifacts due to longer acquisition time. Longer acquisition time, which results in diminishing image quality, is the greatest problem for 3D MRCP imaging.
In addition, SENSE reduces the train of gradient echoes in combination with a faster k-space traversal per unit time, thereby dramatically improving the image quality of single shot echo planar imaging (i.e. T2 weighted, diffusion weighted imaging).

(TOF) The time of flight angiography is used for the imaging of vessels. Usually the sequence type is a gradient echo sequences with short TR, acquired with slices perpendicular to the direction of blood flow.
The source of diverse flow effects is the difference between the unsaturated and presaturated spins and creates a bright vascular image without the invasive use of contrast media. Flowing blood moves unsaturated spins from outside the slice into the imaging plane. These completely relaxed spins have full equilibrium magnetization and produce (when entering the imaging plane) a much higher signal than stationary spins if a gradient echo sequence is generated. This flow related enhancement is also referred to as entry slice phenomenon, or inflow enhancement.
Performing a presaturation slab on one side parallel to the slice can selectively destroy the MR signal from the in-flowing blood from this side of the slice. This allows the technique to be flow direction sensitive and to separate arteriograms or venograms. When the local magnetization of moving blood is selectively altered in a region, e.g. by selective excitation, it carries the altered magnetization with it when it moves, thus tagging the selected region for times on the order of the relaxation times.
For maximum flow signal, a complete new part of blood has to enter the slice every repetition (TR) period, which makes time of flight angiography sensitive to flow-velocity. The choice of TR and slice thickness should be appropriate to the expected flow-velocities because even small changes in slice thickness influences the performance of the TOF sequence. The use of sequential 2 dimensional Fourier transformation (2DFT) slices, 3DFT slabs, or multiple 3D slabs (chunks) are depending on the coverage required and the range of flow-velocities.
3D TOF MRA is routinely used for evaluating the Circle of Willis.

See also Magnetic Resonance Angiography and Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography.

(TRICKS) Time resolved imaging of contrast kinetics is a MRI technique, which increases the temporal resolution of dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) sequences. The K-space is divided into regions by increasing the sampling rate at the lower spatial frequencies and by reducing the sampling rate at the higher spatial frequencies. Since the time duration between two frames is shortened, it can be observed how frequently and how quickly the images are repeated at the exact same location.
TRICKS is particularly useful for dynamic vascular studies with high temporal resolution. TRICKS improves the calculation of the contrast bolus arrival and improves the characterization of arterio-venous malformations (AVMs).

See also Automatic Bolus Detection, MRA, Cardiac MRI.

A large network of interconnecting blood vessels at the base of the brain that when visualized resembles a circle, the arteries effectively act as anastomoses for each other. This means that if any one of the communicating arteries becomes blocked, blood can flow from another part of the circle to ensure that blood flow is not compromised.
The circle of Willis is formed by both the internal carotid arteries, entering the brain from each side and the basilar artery, entering posteriorly. The connection of the vertebral arteries forms the basilar artery. The basilar artery divides into the right and left posterior cerebral arteries. The internal carotid arteries trifurcate into the anterior cerebral artery, middle cerebral artery, and posterior communicating artery. The two anterior cerebral arteries are joined together anteriorly by the anterior communicating artery. The posterior communicating arteries join the posterior cerebral arteries, completing the circle of Willis.
The time of flight angiography MRI technique allows imaging of the circle of Willis without the need of a contrast medium (best results with high field MRI). A cerebrovasular contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) depicts the circle of Willis in addition to the vessels of the neck (carotid and vertebral arteries) with one bolus injection of a contrast agent.

For Ultrasound Imaging (USI) see Cerebrovascular Ultrasonography at Medical-Ultrasound-Imaging.com.

Angiography means the imaging of veins and arteries. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) has a lower invasion than conventional angiography with catheter and X-ray contrast agent. Time of flight angiography (inflow) and phase contrast angiography works without contrast agents. Only in contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography is the use of contrast agents necessary, but the lack of side effects is an advantage of MRI contrast agents, just as the smaller dosage as used in X-ray angiography techniques.

See also the related poll result: 'MRI will have replaced 50% of x-ray exams by'