The imaging potential of the MR experiment continues to evolve. In recent years, an increasing number of fast and ultrafast imaging strategies has been described. In this evolu tion the definition of the terms fast and ultrafast has been blurred. Hence they are frequently used interchangeably. The evolution of these methods has been based on two related, yet separate developments: an increasingly thorough understand ing of the complexities inherent to pulse sequence design and the increasing availability of stronger and faster gradient sys tems. The combination of these two factors has laid...