Hadamard slice encoding for reduced-FOV diffusion-weighted imaging

Methods: A 2D echo-planar RF pulse and matching multiband refocusing RF pulses were designed using the Shinnar-Le Roux algorithm to reduce band interference, and variable-rate selective excitation to shorten the pulse durations. Hadamardencoded images were resolved through a phase-preserving image reconstruction. The performance of the method was evaluated via simulations, phantom experiments, and in vivo high-resolution axial DWI of spinal cord.Purpose: To improve the clinical utility of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) by extending the slice coverage of a highresolution reduced field-of-view technique. Theory: Challenges in achieving high spatial resolution restrict the use of DWI in assessment of small structures such as the spinal cord. A reduced field-of-view method with 2D echo-planar radiofrequency (RF) excitation was recently proposed for high-resolution DWI. Here, a Hadamard sliceencoding scheme is proposed to double the slice coverage by exploiting the periodicity of the 2D echo-planar RF excitation profile.Results: The proposed scheme successfully extends the slice coverage, while preserving the sharp excitation profile and the reliable fat suppression of the original method. For in vivo axial DWI of the spinal cord, an in-plane resolution of 0.7 × 0.7 mm2 was achieved with 16 slices.Conclusion: The proposed Hadamard slice-encoding scheme doubles the slice coverage of the 2D echo-planar RF reduced field-of-view method without any scan-time penalty.