In an imaging method, periodic maintenance radio frequency pulses
(.alpha., -.alpha.) are applied to maintain a steady state magnetic
resonance excitation in an imaging region. Readout (66) of imaging data
from the imaging region is performed during selected intervals between
maintenance radio frequency pulses. A spatially selective blood signal
suppression sequence (62, 62') is performed during selected other
intervals between maintenance radio frequency pulses. The blood signal
suppression sequence suppresses a blood signal in a suppression region
different from the imaging region. The blood signal suppression sequence
has substantially no zero the moment applied magnetic field gradient.