Table 3 Factors influencing the accuracy of T1-measurement using inversion and/or saturation recovery methods
Protocol parameters | Matrix size | • Underestimation in T1 depends on the protocol parameters |
Parallel imaging | ||
Partial Fourier | • Precision depends on the sampling strategy | |
Flip angle | ||
Echo-spacing (BW & TR) | • Partial volume errors depend on the spatial resolution and slice thickness | |
# images & acquisition strategy | ||
  Inversion times | ||
  Recovery times | ||
Raw filter | ||
Sequence design | Slice profile | • T1 measurement accuracy is influenced by the sequence design |
Inversion pulse efficiency & BW | ||
SSFP steady state run-up | ||
Scanner adjustments | Shim | • Off-resonance causes both regional and global underestimation of T1 |
Center frequency adjustment | • Short z-FOV influences recovery time for inflowing blood | |
B1 transmit ampl (flip angle) | • Scan to scan variation affects reproducibility | |
z-FOV | ||
Fit model | 2 vs 3 parameters | • Fitting additional parameters worsens precision |
Multi-fit MagIR vs PSIR | ||
Tissue characteristics | T2 | • Tissue characteristics influence the apparent inversion recovery |
MT | ||
Fatty infiltration | • Partial volume effects are an artifact and may contaminate measurements | |
Flow | ||
Patient | Heart rate | • Loss of spatial resolution due to motion increases the partial volume problem |
Respiratory motion |