In vivo T(1rho) mapping in cartilage using 3D magnetization-prepared angle-modulated partitioned k-space spoiled gradient echo snapshots (3D MAPSS).
For T(1rho) quantification, a three-dimensional (3D) acquisition is desired to obtain high-resolution images. Current 3D methods that use steady-state spoiled gradient-echo (SPGR) imaging suffer from high SAR, low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and the need for retrospective correction of contaminating T(1) effects. In this study, a novel 3D acquisition scheme-magnetization-prepared angle-modulated partitioned-k-space SPGR snapshots (3D MAPSS)-was developed and used to obtain in vivo T(1rho) maps. Transient signal evolving towards the steady-state were acquired in an interleaved segmented elliptical centric phase encoding order immediately after a T(1rho) magnetization preparation sequence. RF cycling was applied to eliminate the adverse impact of longitudinal relaxation on quantitative accuracy. A variable flip angle train was designed to provide a flat signal response to eliminate the filtering effect in k-space caused by transient signal evolution. Experiments in phantoms agreed well with results from simulation. The T(1rho) values were 42.4 +/- 5.2 ms in overall cartilage of healthy volunteers. The average coefficient-of-variation (CV) of mean T(1rho) values (N = 4) for overall cartilage was 1.6%, with regional CV ranging from 1.7% to 8.7%. The fitting errors using MAPSS were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those using sequences without RF cycling and variable flip angles.
Li
Xiaojuan
X
Musculoskeletal Quantitative Imaging Research, Department of Radiology, University of California-San Francisco, 185 Berry Street, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA. xiaojuan.li@radiology.ucsf.edu
Han
Eric T
ET
Busse
Reed F
RF
Majumdar
Sharmila
S
D000328:Adult; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results