Bicomponent Mapping of Cortical Bone Using a New Interleaved UTE Imaging Sequence.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Ultrashort echo time (UTE) MRI enables direct imaging of cortical bone and quantification of its water compartments via bicomponent T₂* modeling. However, conventional approaches require multiple separate dual-echo scans due to limitations in gradient power. This approach is prone to inter-scan inconsistencies such as motion and signal drift, which degrade fitting accuracy. This study proposes an interleaved dual-echo acquisition sequence that acquires multiple echo time (TE) images in a single scan to improve bicomponent T₂* quantification in cortical bone.

Methods

The proposed UTE sequence utilizes interleaved dual-echo acquisitions with flexible TE spacings. This sequence was tested on five healthy subjects' tibial midshafts and compared to c

SUBMITTER: Shin SH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12854791 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature