Fast and accurate multi-channel B1+ mapping based on the TIAMO technique for 7T UHF body MRI.

PURPOSE: Current methods for mitigation of transmit field B1+ inhomogeneities at ultrahigh field (UHF) MRI by multi-channel radiofrequency (RF) shimming rely on accurate B1+ mapping. This can be time consuming when many RF channels have to be mapped for in vivo body MRI, where the B1 maps should ideally be acquired within a single breath-hold. Therefore, a new B1+ mapping technique (B1TIAMO) is proposed.

METHODS: The performance of this technique is validated against an established method (DREAM) in phantom measurements for a cylindrical head phantom with an 8-channel transmit/receive (Tx/Rx) array. Furthermore, measurements for a 32-channel Tx/Rx remote array are conducted in a large body phantom and the |B1+| map reliability is validated against simulations of the transmit RF field distribution. Finally, in vivo results of this new mapping technique for human abdomen are presented.

RESULTS: For the head phantom (8-channel Tx/Rx coil), the single |B1+| comparison between B1 TIAMO, the direct DREAM measurements, and simulation data showed good agreement with 10-19% difference. For the large body phantom (32-channel Tx/Rx coil), B1TIAMO matched the RF field simulations well.

CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate the potential to acquire 32 accurate single-channel B1+ maps for large field-of-view body imaging within only a single breath-hold of 16 s at 7T UHF MRI. Magn Reson Med 79:2652-2664, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.