Susceptibility weighted imaging. Theory and applications

Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI) is a new MR imaging technique using the BOLD effect (Blood Oxygen Level Dependent) and the differences of susceptibility between tissues. It is a 3D gradient echo, fully velocity compensated sequence. The echo time is chosen to maximize the signal cancellation in veins and a specific post-processing is applied using the phase images as a complementary source of contrast. It is very useful for the visualization of veins either normal or abnormal. It shows hemorrhage, even of small quantity, better than conventional gradient echo sequences. Its use is still limited by a long acquisition time and some remaining artifacts.