Optimization of TE and Postprocessing for Nigrosome-1 Imaging using Wave-CAIPI Susceptibility Weighted Imaging at 3T

In this work, Wave-CAIPI accelerated 3D SWI has been used to achieve whole brain imaging in about 3min 30s. Both short-TE and long-TE protocols were compared for the detection of the Nigrosome-1(N1) sign. The phase-mask formula and number of phase mask multiplications were adjusted to explorer their influence on the contrast-to-noise (CNR) of the N1 sign relative to adjacent tissues. The result showed that long-TE protocol had better CNR and made it easier to recognize the N1 sign. The adjusted phase-mask formula with an increased number of phase mask multiplications also helped to improve the CNR of the N1 sign.