3D magnetization prepared elliptical centric fast gradient echo imaging.

3D magnetization-prepared fast gradient echo MR sequences, such as MP-RAGE and IR-SPGR, provide good spatial resolution and gray-white contrast. The efficiency and image quality of these techniques can be further improved with an interleaved, recessed elliptical centric view order. It is shown that this novel acquisition strategy, along with skipping the acquisition of views in k-space corners can provide images with higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), while reducing artifact level and scan time compared to standard MP-RAGE.