Parallel imaging techniques have only recently been introduced into magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in clinical routine, but they have already gained wide clinical acceptance in numerous applications. Their substantial advantages in terms of higher spatial and temporal resolution and improved image quality have revolutionized the role of MRI in many areas of comprehensive disease imaging. This book presents the first in-depth introduction to parallel imaging techniques and, in particular, to the application of parallel imaging in clinical MRI. It will provide readers with a broader understanding of the fundamental principles of parallel imaging and of the advantages and disadvantages of specific MR protocols in clinical applications in all parts of the body at 1.5 and 3 Tesla.

Basic Principles of Parallel-Imaging Techniques

MRI from k-Space to Parallel Imaging
Basic Reconstruction Algorithms for Parallel Imaging
The g-Factor and Coil Design
Measurement of Signal-to-Noise Ratio and Parallel Imaging
Special Applications of Parallel Imaging
Parallel-Imaging Reconstruction of Arbitrary-k-Space-Sampling Data
Complementary Techniques for Accelerated Imaging
Sequence Design for (Auto-Calibrated) Parallel Imaging
Measurement of Coil Sensitivity Profiles
Conventional Spin-Echo and Gradient-Echo Pulse Sequences
Single-Shot Pulse Sequences
Fast Sequences for Dynamic and Time-Resolved Imaging
The Development of TSENSE
Technical Implementation in Clinical MRI
Design of Dedicated MRI Systems for Parallel Imaging
Dedicated Coil Systems from Head to Toe
Design of Parallel-Imaging Protocols
General Advantages of Parallel Imaging
Limitations of Parallel Imaging
Clinical Applications: Imaging of Morphology
High-Resolution Imaging of the Brain
High-Resolution Imaging of the Skull Base and Larynx
Lung Imaging
Liver Imaging
High-Resolution Imaging of the Biliary Tree and the Pancreas
Parallel Imaging in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Musculoskeletal Imaging: Knee and Shoulder
Advanced Methods of Fat Suppression and Parallel Imaging
Clinical Applications: Angiography
MRA of Brain Vessels
MRA of the Carotid Arteries
MRA of the Pulmonary Circulation
MRA of the Renal Arteries
Peripheral MR Angiography
Pediatric Congenital Cardiovascular Disease
High-Resolution Whole-Body MRA
Clinical Applications: Function
Imaging of CNS Diffusion and Perfusion
Diffusion Tensor Imaging of the Brain
Imaging of Cardiac Function
Imaging of Cardiac Perfusion
Imaging of Pulmonary Perfusion
Oxygen-Enhanced Imaging of the Lung
Imaging of Renal Perfusion
Comprehensive Protocols
Cardiovascular Screening
Tumor Staging
Imaging of Bronchial Carcinoma
Imaging of Pulmonary Hypertension
Future Developments
New Coil Systems for Highly Parallel MR Acquisition Strategies
Parallel-Excitation Techniques for Ultra-High-Field MRI
Future Software Developments
Future Imaging Protocols.