Method and apparatus for rapid spin echo magnetic resonance imaging

Apparatus for magnetic resonance imaging comprising means for establishing a stationary and substantially homogeneous main magnetic field, means for generating gradient magnetic field superimposed upon the main magnetic field, means for radiating RF-pulses towards a body placed in the main magnetic field, control means for controlling the generation of the gradient magnetic fields and the RF-pulses, and means for receiving and sampling magnetic resonance signals generated by sequences of RF-pulses and switched gradient magnetic fields, said control means being meant for:

• applying a first radio-frequency pulse for excitation of at least a portion of the body,
• applying at least a first gradient magnetic field for phase encoding of the excited portion,
• applying a second RF-pulse at a time .tau. after the first RF-pulse, and
• detecting a magnetic resonance spin-echo signal around a time 2.tau. after the first RF-pulse, in a sequence which is repeatedly executed with a repetition time TR between first RF-pulses in subsequent sequences that is shorter than a transverse relaxation time T.sub.2 of a relevant substance of the body, characterised in that the control means are further arranged for
• applying said first gradient magnetic field after the application of the second RF-pulse, and
• applying a second gradient magnetic field in the interval after occurrence of the magnetic resonance spin-echo signal and before application of the first RF-pulse in a next sequence, the second gradient magnetic field compensating the phase encoding caused by the first gradient magnetic field.