Abstract: In a magnetic resonance imaging data acquisition method, k-space (100) is divided into a central region (102) disposed at k-space center and one or more annular surrounding regions (104, 106) having increasing distances from k-space center. The one or more annular surrounding regions include an outermost surrounding region (106) having a largest distance from k-space center. The k-space samples in the central region (102) are acquired. Subsequent to the acquiring of k-space samples in the central region, k-space samples are acquired in the one or more annular surrounding regions (104, 106). The k-space samples in the outermost surrounding region (106) are acquired last. The acquiring of k-space samples in at least the outermost surrounding region uses a row-by-row acquisition ordering in which each row of k-space samples acquired in the outermost surrounding region (106) completes a k-space plane.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus (10) acquires a plurality of parametric images (60) with at least one varying imaging parameter. A parametric map (62) is constructed from the plurality of parametric images (60). At least one pilot parameter (64) is identified from at least the parametric map (62). The at least one identified pilot parameter (64) includes at least a volume of interest for a diagnostic image. A contrast agent (54) is administered to the patient (18). The identified volume of interest is imaged during influx of the administered contrast agent (54) into the identified volume of interest. The imaging uses the at least one identified pilot parameter (64).