Magnetic resonance profiling of human skin in vivo using GARField magnets.
It is shown that one-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI-profiling) of human forearm and side-of-hand skin in vivo is possible using GARField magnets. Strong profile contrast originating from differing molecular mobility is seen for stratum corneum and viable epidermis. The first in vivo spatially-resolved field-gradient measurements of water self-diffusivity, D, in the stratum corneum (2.0 x 10(-6) cm(2)/s) and viable epidermis (8.5 x 10(-6) cm(2)/s) are reported. Also reported are spatially resolved measurements of the (1)H spin-lattice relaxation time, T(1), the spin-spin relaxation time, T(2). It is further shown that the application of moisturizing agents to the skin noticeably affects the profiles. However, universal behavior is not seen as both signal increases and decreases are observed dependent on agent and volunteer.
Department of Physics, School of Electronics and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, United Kingdom. p.mcdonald@surrey.ac.uk
P J
PJ
McDonald
A
A
Akhmerov
L J
LJ
Backhouse
S
S
Pitts
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004817:Epidermis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D005542:Forearm; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008280:Magnetics; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects; D017592:Skin Care; D014870:Water Loss, Insensible / Q000187:drug effects
D003879:Dermatologic Agents