Zero Echo Time MR Imaging of Contrast-Agent-Enhanced Calcium Phosphate Bone Defect Filler

Yi Sun¹, Manuela Ventura², Egbert Oosterwijk¹, John A. Jansen², X. Frank Walboomers², Arend Heerschap³

This study examined the possibility of using ZTE to differentiate bone and Calcium Phosphate Cement(CPC) bone filler, with contrast agent incorporation. Only the incorporation of 1% Gd-DTPA(w/w) had no unfavorable effects on the solidification time and mechanical properties of material. This incorporation largely decreased T2* of CPC, was therefore explored in an in vivo experiment. The contrast was enhanced at an early stage then disappeared due to material decay and bone regeneration after eight weeks.This indicates that ZTE imaging with proper contrast agent, is a valid method to visualize CPC degradation in preclinical experiment.