To prepare magnetization for steady state magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic
resonance is primed using a parameterized priming sequence (60). The parameterized
priming sequence (60) has a spectral offset parameter value (40)
corresponding to a spectral offset of the steady state imaging. Subsequent to the
priming, steady state magnetic resonance imaging data at the first spectral offset
is acquired using a magnetic resonance imaging scanner (10). A reconstruction
processor (44) reconstructs the imaging data to generate an image representation.
Preferably, the parameterized priming sequence (60) includes a longitudinal
priming sequence (62) that prepares longitudinal magnetization in a state
approximating a steady state longitudinal magnetization. A spoiler sequence (64)
spoils transverse magnetization while retaining longitudinal magnetization. A transverse
priming sequence (66) prepares traverse magnetization in a state approximating
a steady state transverse magnetization.
