Prospective motion correction for diffusion weighted EPI of the brain using an optical markerless tracker

Purpose To enable motion-robust diffusion weighted imaging of the brain using well-established imaging techniques. Methods An optical markerless tracking system was used to estimate and correct for rigid body motion of the head in real time during scanning. The imaging coordinate system was updated before each excitation pulse in a single-shot EPI sequence accelerated by GRAPPA with motion-robust calibration. Full Fourier imaging was used to reduce effects of motion during diffusion encoding. Subjects were imaged while performing prescribed motion patterns, each repeated with prospective motion correction on and off. Results Prospective motion correction with dynamic ghost correction enabled high quality DWI in the presence of fast and continuous motion within a 10° range. Images acquired without motion were not degraded by the prospective correction. Calculated diffusion tensors tolerated the motion well, but ADC values were slightly increased. Conclusions Prospective correction by markerless optical tracking minimizes patient interaction and appears to be well suited for EPI-based DWI of patient groups unable to remain still including those who are not compliant with markers.