Dual Contrast EPI by Use of a Key Hole Technique

Purpose： In the gradient echo EPI the conventional T2＊-weighted image is poor in signal as well distorted by the field inhomogeneity. By acquiring a proton density image in addition to th T2＊-weighted image at the same scan, the fMRI processing can be improved. Method： The central region of the k space is acquired twice at different time points after th RF pulse while acquiring the other regions onc as described in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1 the segment numbers are chronological. Then, we can get two images of different contrast by interleaving th central region in the k space as done in the dua contrast FSE.