Hyperpolarized 13C MRI has emerged as a novel non-invasive imaging technique to assess metabolism in-vivo. However, hyperpolarized contrast agents have unique properties that require specialized imaging methods. Data acquisition strategies must account for the lower 13C gyromagnetic ratio, encode spectroscopic information, and acquire dynamic and volumetric data quickly relative to metabolism and T1 relaxation.
This talk will describe the state-of-the-art in fast imaging methods for hyperpolarized 13C MRI, including the tradeoffs between the three major categories of fast imaging methods - spectroscopic imaging, model-based strategies, and metabolite specific imaging – and will discuss the RF pulses that enable these acquisition strategies.