Correction of vibration artifacts in DTI using phase-encoding reversal (COVIPER)

Diffusion tensor imaging is widely used in research and clinical applications, but still suffers from substantial artifacts. Here, we focus on vibrations induced by strong diffusion gradients in diffusion tensor imaging, causing an echo shift in k-space and consequential signal-loss. We refined the model of vibration-induced echo shifts, showing that asymmetric k-space coverage in widely used Partial Fourier acquisitions results in locally differing signal loss in images acquired with reversed phase encoding direction (blip-up/blip-down). We implemented a correction of vibration artifacts in diffusion tensor imaging using phase-encoding reversal (COVIPER) by combining blip-up and blip-down images, each weighted by a function of its local tensor-fit error. COVIPER was validated against low vibration reference data, resulting in an error reduction of about 72% in fractional anisotropy maps. COVIPER can be combined with other corrections based on phase encoding reversal, providing a comprehensive correction for eddy currents, susceptibility-related distortions and vibration artifact reduction.