title: Short echo time MRI enables visualisation of the natural state of human stratum corneum water in vivo.
abstract: High resolution magnetic resonance imaging studies on skin have been limited by their inability to detect the low-moisture-content outer layers near the surface of the stratum corneum. The hydration of these outer layers is especially important physiologically. The present study shows that by using a short echo time of 5 ms it becomes possible to observe these layers in all but a few individuals with exceptionally dry skin. The quality of the images can be further improved by the use of separate transmit and receive coils, which reduces the rapid fall-off in signal intensity encountered with a single surface coil used both to transmit and receive.
authors.affiliation: Herchel Smith Laboratory for Medicinal Chemistry, University of Cambridge School for Clinical Medicine, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ablett
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Burdett
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Carpenter
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Salter
mesh_terms: D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism