Parallel generalized series MRI: Algorithm and application to cancer imaging

MRI is a relatively slow imaging technique. Although imaging speeds have increased dramatically over the last three decades, many clinical and research applications, ranging from contrast-enhanced dynamic imaging of breast tumors to cardiac imaging, require still faster imaging methods. To address this problem, this paper presents a novel algorithm to integrate generalized series (GS) imaging with parallel imaging using multiple receiver coils. This algorithm takes advantage of both the conventional parallel data acquisition scheme and the GS model-based reduced-scan imaging method to achieve higher spatiotemporal resolution in dynamic imaging. The algorithm has been validated using both simulated and experimental data from dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI experiments, which produced excellent results. We expect the algorithm to be useful for a number of dynamic imaging applications, especially contrast-enhanced imaging of tumors.