Improved MR imaging in extremely inhomogeneous radio-frequency fields

An improvement to the method for imaging with extremely inhomogeneous radio-frequency fields is presented which uses a pseudo-noise-modulated selective (PNMS) excitation prepulse to randomize the signal from outside the selected slice. This prepulse reduces the problems that arise from imperfect subtraction involved with the one-dimensional ISIS-type slice selection procedures. The results demonstrate two to three times improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio and reduction in the image artifacts when this prepulse is used.