Parallel imaging techniques have only recently been introduced into magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in clinical routine, but they have already gained wide clinical acceptance in numerous applications. Their substantial advantages in terms of higher spatial and temporal resolution and improved image quality have revolutionized the role of MRI in many areas of comprehensive disease imaging.

This book presents the first in-depth introduction to parallel imaging techniques and, in particular, to the application of parallel imaging in clinical MRI. It will provide readers with a broader understanding of the fundamental principles of parallel imaging and of the advantages and disadvantages of specific MR protocols in clinical applications in all parts of the body at 1.5 and 3 Tesla.

The first part of the book explains relevant MRI physics and techniques, detailing the various image reconstruction algorithms for parallel imaging. The second part presents detailed, ready-to-use clinical protocols for morphologic, angiographic, and functional MR imaging, with special emphasis on problem-solving strategies for assessment of cardiovascular and oncological diseases. In addition, detailed information is provided on cutting-edge techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging, oxygen-enhanced lung imaging, and MRA with blood pool contrast agents.

Inhalt
Basic Principles of Parallel-Imaging Techniques.- MRI from k-Space to Parallel Imaging.- Basic Reconstruction Algorithms for Parallel Imaging.- The g-Factor and Coil Design.- Measurement of Signal-to-Noise Ratio and Parallel Imaging.- Special Applications of Parallel Imaging.- Parallel-Imaging Reconstruction of Arbitrary-k-Space-Sampling Data.- Complementary Techniques for Accelerated Imaging.- Sequence Design for (Auto-Calibrated) Parallel Imaging.- Measurement of Coil Sensitivity Profiles.- Conventional Spin-Echo and Gradient-Echo Pulse Sequences.- Single-Shot Pulse Sequences.- Fast Sequences for Dynamic and Time-Resolved Imaging.- The Development of TSENSE.- Technical Implementation in Clinical MRI.- Design of Dedicated MRI Systems for Parallel Imaging.- Dedicated Coil Systems from Head to Toe.- Design of Parallel-Imaging Protocols.- General Advantages of Parallel Imaging.- Limitations of Parallel Imaging.- Clinical Applications: Imaging of Morphology.- High-Resolution Imaging of the Brain.- High-Resolution Imaging of the Skull Base and Larynx.- Lung Imaging.- Liver Imaging.- High-Resolution Imaging of the Biliary Tree and the Pancreas.- Parallel Imaging in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.- Musculoskeletal Imaging: Knee and Shoulder.- Advanced Methods of Fat Suppression and Parallel Imaging.- Clinical Applications: Angiography.- MRA of Brain Vessels.- MRA of the Carotid Arteries.- MRA of the Pulmonary Circulation.- MRA of the Renal Arteries.- Peripheral MR Angiography.- Pediatric Congenital Cardiovascular Disease.- High-Resolution Whole-Body MRA.- Clinical Applications: Function.- Imaging of CNS Diffusion and Perfusion.- Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Brain.- Imaging of Cardiac Function.- Imaging of Cardiac Perfusion.- Imaging of Pulmonary Perfusion.- Oxygen-Enhanced Imaging of the Lung.- Imaging of Renal Perfusion.- Comprehensive Protocols.- Cardiovascular Screening.- Tumor Staging.- Imaging of Bronchial Carcinoma.- Imaging of Pulmonary Hypertension.- Future Developments.- New Coil Systems for Highly Parallel MR Acquisition Strategies.- Parallel-Excitation Techniques for Ultra-High-Field MRI.- Future Software Developments.- Future Imaging Protocols.