Imaging of heterogeneous materials with a turbo spin echo single-point imaging technique

A magnetic resonance imaging method is presented for imaging of heterogeneous broad linewidth materials. This method allows for distortionless relaxation weighted imaging by obtaining multiple phase encoded k-space data points with each RF excitation pulse train. The use of this method, turbo spin echo single-point imaging-(turboSPI), leads to decreased imaging times compared to traditional constant-time imaging techniques, as well as the ability to introduce spin-spin relaxation contrast through the use of longer effective echo times. Imaging times in turboSPI are further decreased through the use of low hip angle steady-state excitation. Two-dimensional images of paramagnetic doped agarose phantoms were obtained, demonstrating the contrast and resolution characteristics of the sequence, and a method for both amplitude and phase deconvolution was demonstrated for use in high-resolution turboSPI imaging. Three-dimensional images of a partially water-saturated porous volcanic aggregate (T-2L approximate to 200 ms, Delta nu(1/2) approximate to 2500 Hz) contained in a hardened white Portland cement matrix (T-2L approximate to 0.5 ms, Delta nu(1/2) approximate to 2500 Hz) and a water-saturated quartz sand (T-2 approximate to 300 ms, T-2* approximate to 800 mu s) are shown. (C) 2000 Academic Press.