The STAR VIBE sequence
The STAR VIBE sequence is the first available sequence that integrates developments for volumetric acquisitions and provides radial k-space sampling in a fully seamless way, aiming at achieving higher robustness to motion and flow effects in daily practice (fig). It is based on the conventional VIBE sequence. Radial sampling has been implemented using a 3D ‘stack of stars’ approach, which acquires the kx-ky plane along radial spokes and the kz dimension with conventional sampling. Although Cartesian acquisition steps are employed along the kz dimension, a high degree of motion robustness is achieved due to the use of an incoherent temporal acquisition order. Fig. Neck exam using transversal Radial VIBE acquisition. Due to the robustness to swallowing and minor head motion, high quality 3D scans are possible. Images courtesy of Bac Nguyen.