Petros Martirosian1, Gerd Grzinger2, Isabel Rauscher2, Christian Wrslin1, Rolf Pohmann3, Fabian Springer2, Fritz Schick1
1Section on Experimental Radiology, University of Tbingen, Tbingen, Baden-Wrttemberg, Germany; 2Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University of Tbingen, Germany; 3Magnetic Resonance Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tbingen, Germany
Within the last years a variety of pulse sequences have been published which visualize musculoskeletal tissues such as menisci, tendons, or ligaments with positive contrast despite their relatively short T2-values. For optimization of sequence parameters by numerical simulations based on Blochs equations, knowledge of tissue relaxation times is essential. So far there has been no comprehensive MRI study regarding the systematic measurement of their inherent relaxation properties. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to exemplarily quantify the T1ρ, T1, T2, and T2* relaxation times of rapidly relaxing tissues in the human knee joint at 3T in an acceptable examination time.