Echo-volumar imaging (EVI) of the brain at 3.0 T : first normal volunteer and functional imaging results

Our goal was to present the first echo-volumar brain images obtained at 3.0 T, together with the first functional imaging results using echo volumar imaging. The results presented were obtained on volunteers using an in-house designed and constructed 3.0 T echo-planar/volumar imager. The results demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining snapshot volumar images comprising up to 64 x 64 x 8 voxels corresponding to a spatial resolution of 3.0 x 3.0 x 2.5 mm3. Results are also presented showing local cortical changes in signal in response to an external visual stimulus for both the left and the right brain hemispheres. The snapshot acquisition of a whole-volume data set has a number of advantages when considering motional effects or functional image changes that may involve time delays or phase effects within different cortical regions. Instantaneous acquisition of the whole data set means accurate phase information may be straightforwardly obtained.