System and method for distortion and motion artifact-free diffusion imaging using single-shot diffusion-prepared turbo-spin-echo sequence with spiral-ring readouts and magnitude stabilizers

Abstract

Acquiring magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data includes steps of using a computer to implement software program steps in a diffusion preparation software component and a spiral ring echo readout software component. The method implements the diffusion preparation software component by (i) applying at least a first diffusion gradient and a last diffusion gradient along a selected direction; and (ii) applying a magnitude stabilizer gradient, along said selected direction, after the last diffusion gradient. The method implements the spiral ring echo readout software component by (i) applying a rephasing gradient along said selected direction after a refocusing RF pulse; (ii) applying a dephasing gradient along said selected direction prior to a subsequent refocusing RF pulse; and (iii) acquiring spiral ring echo readout data between the refocusing RF pulse and the subsequent refocusing RF pulse.