Three-dimensional magnetization-prepared rapid gradient-echo imaging (3D MP RAGE).

A new three-dimensional imaging technique which is applicable for 3D MR imaging throughout the body is introduced. In our preliminary investigations we have acquired high-quality 3D image sets of the abdomen showing minimal respiratory artifacts in just over 7 min (voxel size 2.7 X 2.7 X 2.7 mm3), and 3D image sets of the head showing excellent gray/white contrast in less than 6 min (voxel size 1.0 X 2.0 X 1.4 mm3).