A new pulse sequence for determining T 1 and T 2 simultaneously

Abstract
Determination of the relaxation times T1 and T2 which are important for tissue characterization generally requires the use of different pulses sequences in magnetic resonance imaging. In this study, a new pulse sequence which facilitates simultaneous determination of the T1 and T2 times is presented. Determination takes place in this case pixel by pixel from the measured images. The measuring time corresponds in this case approximately to that of a normal spin-echo sequence with long repetition time and two data acquisitions. The functional dependence of the accuracy of the T1 and T2 determination upon external errors, e.g., angle of rotation errors, is discussed. The tissue contrast behavior of the individual echoes is shown and its dependence on pulse parameters is explained.