Reduction of Accompanied Deployment Failure Artifacts Using a Thick Slice Sensitivity Map to Assist with Array Spatial Sensitivity Encoding Technique Imaging

The array spatial sensitivity encoding technique (ASSET) is a form of parallel imaging (PI). Another scan, called a reference scan (Ref) is required before acquiring the ASSET image. However, artifacts tend to interfere with recognition of the object due to differences between the ASSET scan and Ref. scan. This is because the liver is in contact with the diaphragm, making it susceptible to respiratory motion. Further, since the liver upper edge is surrounded by the lung field, there is a risk of susceptibility artifacts. The purpose of this study was to reduce the accompanied deployment failure artifact using a thick slice sensitivity map. Our data showed it was possible to reduce accompanied deployment failure artifacts, as well as to suppress noise, by increasing the slice thickness of the Ref scan.