Preliminary use of a double‑echo pulse sequence with 3D ultrashort echo time in the MRI of bones and joints

Ma,Liheng; Meng,Quanfei; Chen,Yingming; Zhang,Zhaohui; Sun,Haixing; Deng,Demao

doi:10.3892/etm.2013.993

May 2013 Volume 5 Issue 5

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May 2013 Volume 5 Issue 5

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Article

Preliminary use of a double‑echo pulse sequence with 3D ultrashort echo time in the MRI of bones and joints

Authors:
- Liheng Ma
- Quanfei Meng
- Yingming Chen
- Zhaohui Zhang
- Haixing Sun
- Demao Deng
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Affiliations: The Medical Diagnostic Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China, Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‑Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, P.R. China, Department of Radiology, The First Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530023, P.R. China
Pages: 1471-1475
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Published online on: March 7, 2013

https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2013.993
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Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the application of a double‑echo pulse sequence with 3D ultrashort echo time (UTE) in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of bones and joints. In total, 7 healthy volunteers and 1 volunteer with a suspected tear of the lateral meniscus of the left knee joint underwent MRI with a double‑echo pulse sequence and 3D UTE. The imaging was performed on the tibial diaphysis, knee joint and ankle of the volunteers and on a segment of porcine fibula in vitro. The echo time of echo 1 (TE1) of the UTE images for the achilles tendon of the ankle joint were set as 0.08, 0.16, 0.24 and 0.35 msec. The maximum intensity projection (MIP) of the difference images created from the primary double‑echo images with a TE1 of 0.08 msec were performed on the tendons of the ankle to display their 3D structure. The data were analyzed with a one‑way ANOVA and paired‑sample t‑test. The 3D distribution of the tendons was displayed through MIPs of the difference images created from the primary double‑echo images. The cortical bones, periosteum, tendons and menisci of the 8 volunteers appeared as high signal intensities in the UTE pulse sequence. Multiplanar reconstruction followed by subtraction of the primary double‑echo images raised the image signal‑to‑noise (S/N) ratio from 2.80±0.75 to 3.76±0.88 (t=‑4.851, P<0.01). The artifacts appeared more marked as the TE1 was prolonged. A double pulse sequence MRI with 3D UTE may display the short T2 components which are not displayed with a conventional clinical MRI sequence, therefore creating a basis for the further quantification of these tissues.

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Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Oncology

Molecular Medicine Reports

Oncology Reports

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Oncology Letters

Biomedical Reports

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

World Academy of Sciences Journal

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Epigenetics

Medicine International

Preliminary use of a double‑echo pulse sequence with 3D ultrashort echo time in the MRI of bones and joints

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