Abstract #2495

Martirosian P, Boss A, Deimling M, Kiefer B, Schick F

The goal of this study is to evaluate Magnetization Transfer Contrast (MTC) effects for a wide range of tissues (white and gray matter, liver, kidney, spleen, muscle, and articular cartilage) in human subjects at field strengths of 0.2, 1.5, and 3.0 Tesla. MTC MR imaging studies of the head, knee, and abdomen of three healthy volunteers were performed using a new multiple Magnetization Transfer Contrast (mMTC) module. This mMTC pulse module is a modification of a Gaussian shaped MT saturation pulse applied in a proton-density weighted RF-spoiled gradient echo sequence. The sequence allows for both a flexible MT pulse design and performance of consecutive measurements with variable flip angle or variable off-resonance frequency, while keeping other MT pulse parameters constant. Magnetization Transfer Ratio (MTR) maps were calculated on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The results indicate that MTR values are larger at higher magnetic field strengths. The increased MT effect might partly compensate the SAR (Specific Abs