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Magnetization transfer imaging of cortical bone in vivo using a zero echo time sequence in mice at 4.7 T: a feasibility study

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the feasibility of magnetization transfer (MT) imaging in mice in vivo for the assessment of cortical bone.

Materials and methods

MT-zero echo time data were acquired at 4.7 T in six mice using MT preparation pulses with two different flip angles (FAs) and a series of ten different off-resonance frequencies (500–15000 Hz). Regions of interest were drawn at multiple levels of the femoral cortical bone. The MT ratio (MTR) was computed for each combination of FAs and off-resonance frequencies. T1 measurements were used to estimate the direct saturation (DS) using a Bloch equation simulation. Estimation of the absorption line width of cortical bone from T2* measurements was also performed.

Results

MTR values were higher using 3000° FA than 1000° FA. MTR values decreased toward higher off-resonance frequencies. Maximum mean MTR ± standard deviation (SD) of 58.57 ± 5.22 (range 50.44–70.61) was measured with a preparation pulse of 3000° and off-resonance frequency of 500 Hz. Maximum “true” MT effect was estimated at around 2–3 and 5 kHz, respectively, for 1000° and 3000° FA. Mean full width at half maximum ± SD of 577 ± 91 Hz was calculated for the absorption spectral line of the cortical bone.

Conclusion

MT imaging can be used for the assessment of cortical bone in mice in vivo. DS effects are negligible using preparation pulses with off-resonance frequencies greater than 3 kHz.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Rämistrasse 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland

    Magda Marcon, Daniel Keller, Moritz C. Wurnig, Christian Eberhardt & Andreas Boss

  2. Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Zurich and Swiss Federal Institute for Technology, Zurich, Switzerland

    Markus Weiger

  3. Department of Urology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Daniel Keller & Daniel Eberli

Authors
  1. Magda Marcon
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  2. Markus Weiger
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  3. Daniel Keller
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  4. Moritz C. Wurnig
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  7. Andreas Boss
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Correspondence to Magda Marcon.

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Funding

We acknowledge the support of the Clinical Research Priority Program (CRPP) Molecular Imaging Network Zurich (MINZ) and the funding of the Swiss National Science Foundation (Nr. 31003A_162533).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Ethical approval

All applicable international, national and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

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Marcon, M., Weiger, M., Keller, D. et al. Magnetization transfer imaging of cortical bone in vivo using a zero echo time sequence in mice at 4.7 T: a feasibility study. Magn Reson Mater Phy 29, 853–862 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10334-016-0577-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10334-016-0577-9

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