Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Tendons, Ligaments & Menisci by Subtraction of Two Steady State Free Precession Signals

Petros Martirosian¹, Christina Schraml², Nina Franziska Schwenzer², Fabian Springer², Fritz Schick¹, Michael Deimling³

Structure and composition of certain musculoskeletal tissues result in short T2 values and nearly lacking signal using conventional imaging sequences. In this work we aimed at improving the visualization of tendons, ligaments, and menisci by subtraction of two steady state free precession signals which were simultaneously acquired in a constant readout gradient. By means of strong asymmetric echo acquisition and short non-selective excitation RF-pulse providing an echo time 0.8 ms it was possible to visualize tendons, ligaments and menisci as hyperintense structures in the subtraction images. The presented sequence is a promising approach which is worth being evaluated in clinical musculoskeletal MR imaging.