Super-resolution T₁ estimation: Quantitative high resolution T₁ mapping from a set of low resolution T₁-weighted images with different slice orientations

Purpose: Quantitative T₁ mapping is a magnetic resonance imaging technique that estimates the spin-lattice relaxation time of tissues. Even though T₁ mapping has a broad range of potential applications, it is not routinely used in clinical practice as accurate and precise high resolution T₁ mapping requires infeasibly long acquisition times. Method: To improve the trade-off between the acquisition time, signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution, we acquire a set of low resolution T₁-weighted images and directly estimate a high resolution T₁ map by means of super-resolution reconstruction. Results: Simulation and in vivo experiments show an increased spatial resolution of the T₁ map, while preserving a high signal-to-noise ratio and short scan time. Moreover, the proposed method outperforms conventional estimation in terms of root-mean-square error. Conclusion: Super resolution T₁ estimation enables resolution enhancement in T₁ mapping with the use of standard (inversion recovery) T₁ acquisition sequences. Magn Reson Med, 2016.