PURPOSE: To develop a rapid, motion-robust T 2 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$ mapping technique suitable for clinical use across the body, including traditionally challenging, motion-prone patient populations or body parts.

METHODS: A novel single-shot multi-echo spin-echo EPI sequence with alternating phase encoding direction on each echo was implemented. This sequence acquires multiple echoes to measure T 2 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$ from a single RF excitation. The alternating phase encoding gradient polarity enables the correction of geometric distortions in EPI using post-processing software. Stimulated echoes were removed by optimizing spoiler gradients. Diffusion MRI can also be achieved by incorporating diffusion-encoding gradients.

RESULTS: Phantom experiments showed no significant difference between measured and reference T 2 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$ values, indicating high precision and repeatability. In vivo, brain T 2 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$ maps exhibited similar anatomical detail and tissue contrast as a reference sequence, with T 2 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$ values of 70.0  ± $$ ęrn0.5em \pm ęrn0.5em $$  4.0 ms for gray matter, 56.8  ± $$ ęrn0.5em \pm ęrn0.5em $$  3.4 ms for the white matter at a magnetic field strength of 3 Tesla. High-quality diffusion-weighted images with minimal distortion were generated, even at high b-values. T 2 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$ mapping results from the kidney and fetal brain showcased the method's applicability across different anatomical regions and patient populations.

CONCLUSION: The single-shot multi-echo EPI sequence provided a basis for rapid, accurate T 2 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$ relaxation mapping by correcting distortion and mitigating motion artifacts. This sequence enhances the clinical feasibility of quantitative T 2 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$ mapping across diverse patient populations and body areas.