Improved cortical bone specificity in UTE MR Imaging

Purpose Methods for direct visualization of compact bone using MRI have application in several “MR‐informed” technologies, such as MR‐guided focused ultrasound, MR‐PET reconstruction and MR‐guided radiation therapy. The specificity of bone imaging can be improved by manipulating image sensitivity to Bloch relaxation phenomena, facilitating distinction of bone from other tissues detected by MRI. Methods From Bloch equation dynamics, excitation pulses suitable for creating specific sensitivity to short‐ T 2 magnetization from cortical bone are identified. These pulses are used with UTE subtraction demonstrate feasibility of MR imaging of compact bone with positive contrast. Results MR images of bone structures are acquired with contrast similar to that observed in x‐ray CT images. Through comparison of MR signal intensities with CT Hounsfield units of the skull, the similarity of contrast is quantified. The MR technique is also demonstrated in other regions of the body that are relevant for interventional procedures, such as the shoulder, pelvis and leg. Conclusion Matching RF excitation pulses to relaxation rates improves the specificity to bone of short‐ T 2 contrast. It is demonstrated with a UTE sequence to acquire images of cortical bone with positive contrast, and the contrast is verified by comparison with x‐ray CT. Magn Reson Med 77:684–695, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine