Two-point Dixon technique provides robust fat suppression for multi-mouse imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether Dixon-based fat separation techniques can provide more robust removal of lipid signals from multiple-mouse magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-acquired images than conventional frequency selective chemical saturation techniques.


METHODS
A two-point Dixon technique was implemented using a RARE-based pulse sequence and techniques for multivolume fat suppression were evaluated using a 4-element array of volume resonators at 4.7 T. Images were acquired of both phantoms and mice.


RESULTS
Fat saturation was achieved on all four channels of the multiple mouse acquisition with the Dixon technique, while failures of fat saturation were found with chemical saturation techniques.


CONCLUSIONS
This proof of concept study found that Dixon fat separation provided more reliable and homogenous fat suppression than chemical saturation in phantoms and in vivo.
Ragan
Dustin K
DK
Department of Imaging Physics, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
Bankson
James A
JA
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D051379:Mice / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity