Simultaneous multislice (SMS) imaging techniques

M. Barth, F. Breuer, P.J. Koopmans, D.G. Norris*, B.A. Poser

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

Simultaneous multislice imaging (SMS) using parallel image reconstruction has rapidly advanced to become a major imaging technique. The primary benefit is an acceleration in data acquisition that is equal to the number of simultaneously excited slices. Unlike in-plane parallel imaging this can have only a marginal intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio penalty, and the full acceleration is attainable at fixed echo time, as is required for many echo planar imaging applications. Furthermore, for some implementations SMS techniques can reduce radiofrequency (RF) power deposition. In this review the current state of the art of SMS imaging is presented. In the Introduction, a historical overview is given of the history of SMS excitation in MRI. The following section on RF pulses gives both the theoretical background and practical application. The section on encoding and reconstruction shows how the collapsed multislice images can be disentangled by means of the transmitter pulse phase, gradient pulses, and most importantly using multichannel receiver coils. The relationship between classic parallel imaging techniques and SMS reconstruction methods is explored. The subsequent section describes the practical implementation, including the acquisition of reference data, and slice cross-talk. Published applications of SMS imaging are then reviewed, and the article concludes with an outlook and perspective of SMS imaging. Magn Reson Med, 2015. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)63-81
Number of pages19
JournalMagnetic Resonance in Medicine
Volume75
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2016

Keywords

  • simultaneous multislice imaging
  • multiband imaging
  • fast imaging
  • SPIN-ECHO FMRI
  • PINS RADIOFREQUENCY PULSES
  • 7 T
  • WHOLE-BRAIN
  • RF PULSES
  • RESTING STATE
  • SIMULTANEOUS ACQUISITION
  • PARALLEL TRANSMISSION
  • SELECTIVE EXCITATION
  • ARTIFACT REDUCTION

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