Meeting Banner
Abstract #2471

Effect of Molecular Oxygen on Relaxation Times at Clinical Field Strengths

Harald Kramer1, 2, Amanda R. Corcos3, Diego Hernando4, John F. Berry3, Mark L. Schiebler1, Scott B. Reeder1

1Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, United States; 2Institute for Clinical Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Bavaria, Germany; 3Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, United States; 4Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States


Oxygen is paramagnetic and known to influence the relaxation properties of tissues in MRI. Little is known regarding the dependence of oxygen partial pressure on relaxation times (T1 and T2) in fluids. We performed relaxometry experiments in a phantom with varying oxygen partial pressure ranging from 0-760mmHg at clinical field strength. Using measured values of T1 and T2 at different oxygen tensions permitted calculation of the relaxivities (r1 and r2) of oxygen. Differences in oxygen tension can be visualized and quantified with MRI. The results suggest that the injection of oxygen saturated/desaturated saline could be used as a contrast agent.