On the Amenability of Ghost Imaging to Large Parallel Acceleration Factors

Introduction Ghost imaging is a newly proposed methodology for magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) that eliminates the need for image subtraction. Using a 3D pulse sequence that acquires slices outside of the body, the method works by modulating arterial signal to produce ghost artifacts. Arterial ghost artifacts localizing in air outside of the body are then processed and viewed along multiple orientations as is possible with conventional MRA. Given the sparsity of the arterial ghost artifacts located outside of the body and the complete absence of background signal, Ghost imaging may support increased levels of parallel acceleration. We tested the hypothesis that Ghost MRA may enable higher acceleration factors than conventional, subtraction-based MRA.