Skip to main content
Quantitative magnetization transfer ultrashort echo time imaging using a time‐efficient 3D multispoke Cones sequence
Abstract
Purpose
To accelerate the quantitative ultrashort echo time imaging using a time-efficient 3D multispoke Cones sequence with magnetization transfer (3D UTE-Cones-MT) and signal modeling.Theory and methods
A 3D UTE-Cones-MT acquisition scheme with multispoke per MT preparation and a modified rectangular pulse (RP) approximation was developed for two-pool MT modeling of macromolecular and water components including their relative fractions, relaxation times and exchange rates. Numerical simulation and cadaveric specimens, including human Achilles tendon and bovine cortical bone, were investigated using a clinical 3T scanner.Results
Numerical simulation showed that the modified RP model provided accurate estimation of MT parameters when multispokes were acquired per MT preparation. For the experiment with the Achilles tendon and cortical bone samples, the macromolecular fractions were 20.4 ± 2.0% and 59.4 ± 5.3%, respectively.Conclusion
The 3D multispoke UTE-Cones-MT sequence can be used for fast volumetric assessment of macromolecular and water components in short T2 tissues. Magn Reson Med 79:692-700, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.Many UC-authored scholarly publications are freely available on this site because of the UC's open access policies. Let us know how this access is important for you.