T2 mapping on low-field MR system based on T2NR

In this paper, considering the characteristics of low SNR on low-field MR systems, we presented an optimized and more effective curve fitting method for quantitative T 2 mapping. Series of T 2 -weighted images were acquired using a multi-echo spin echo sequence on a Siemens 0.35T open MR system. Adaptive curve fitting algorithm was performed based on T 2 -to-noise-ratio (T 2 NR) optimization, which was achieved via optimizing the number of echoes used for curve fitting with the prior estimation of T 2 value. Numerical simulation, phantom measurement and volunteer imaging have all shown that more accurate quantitative T 2 mapping, as well as higher SNR, was obtained by the proposed method in comparison with the previous truncated curve fitting method.