Guide to MS-SMART MRI scan parameters for use as reference in dummy run scan for each site according to scanner model
| Scan | Dual echo PD/T2-weighted FSE/TSE | T2-weighted FLAIR | T1-weighted SE | 3D T1-weighted volumetric MPRAGE/IRFSPGR/TFE |
| Slice orientation | Axial-oblique | Axial-oblique | Axial-oblique | Sagittal-oblique |
| First TE Siemens 1.5 T/3 T | 11/26 ms | 122/100 ms | 12/6.8 ms | 3.45/4 ms |
| First TE GE 1.5 T/3 T | 21/24 ms | 128/127 ms | 20/20 ms | 5/3 ms |
| First TE Philips 1.5 T/3 T | 16/13 ms | 120/120 ms | 20/10 ms | 4/3.2 ms |
| Second TE Siemens 1.5 T/3 T | 86/97 ms | NA | NA | NA |
| SecondTE GE 1.5 T/3 T | 86/85 ms | |||
| Second TE Philips 1.5 T/3 T | 100/90 ms | |||
| TR Siemens 1.5 T/3 T | 2680/2700 ms | 9500/9500 ms | 518/600 ms | 2400/2400 ms |
| TR GE 1.5 T/3 T | 2900/2600 ms | 10000/9500 ms | 650/700 ms | 13/8 ms |
| TR Philips 1.5 T/3 T | 3300/2900 ms | 10000/9500 ms | 600/600 ms | 12/6.9 ms |
| TI Siemens 1.5 T/3 T | NA | 2400/2400 ms | NA | 1000/1000 ms |
| GE 1.5 T/3 T | 2200/2400 ms | 650/450 ms | ||
| Philips 1.5 T/3 T | 2400/2400 ms | 950/830 ms | ||
| Number of slices | ≥46 | ≥46 | ≥46 | ≥176 |
| Slice thickness | 3 mm | 3 mm | 3 mm | 1 mm |
| Slice gap | 0 mm | 0 mm | 0 mm | 0 mm |
| Echo train length Siemens 1.5 T/3 T | 7/5 | 19/15 | NA | NA |
| Echo train length GE 1.5 T/3 T | 10/8 | 19/19 | ||
| Echo train length Philips 1.5 T/3 T | 5/6 | 19/19 | ||
| Field of view | 25 cmx100% | 25 cmx100% | 25 cmx100% | 25 cmx100% |
| Image matrix acquisition | 256×256 | 256×192 | 256×256 | 256×256 |
| (frequency×phase) | ||||
| Image matrix reconstruction | 256×256 | 256×256 | 256×256 | 256×256 |
| (frequency×phase) | ||||
| Reconstructed pixel size | 0.976 | 0.976 | 0.976 | 0.976 |
| Frequency encoding | a/p | a/p | a/p | s/i |
| Phase encoding | r/l | r/l | r/l | a/p |
| No. of averages (excitations) 1.5 T/3 T | 1 January | 1 January | 1 February | 1 January |
| Flip angle Siemens | – | – | – | 8° |
| Flip angle GE | 20° | |||
| Flip angle Philips | 8° |
Reference parameters guidance depending on scanner model (ie, Siemens, Philips, GE) and operating field strength (ie, 1.5 T or 3 T). The values listed in bold are mandatory for all of the sites.
a/p, anterior/posterior; FLAIR, fluid attenuated inversion recovery; FSE/TSE, fast/turbo spin echo; IRFSPGR, inversion recovery fast spoiled gradient echo; MPRAGE, magnetisation prepared rapid gradient echo; NA, not applicable; r/l, right/left; SE, spin echo; s/i, superior/inferior; TFE, turbo field echo.