Abstract #0568

Effects of MT-weighting, respiratory navigation, and biological variables on multi-echo gradient echo signal and contrast in the lumbar cord

Kristin P. O'Grady^1,2,3, Kritin Vasamreddy¹, Grace Sweeney¹, Logan Prock¹, Delaney Houston¹, Anna J.E. Combes¹, Trey McGonigle⁴, Simon Vandekar⁴, Margareta Clarke¹, Atlee A. Witt¹, Colin D. McKnight², Erik Landman², Ryan K. Robison^1,2,5, Francesca Bagnato⁶, and Seth A. Smith^1,2,3

¹Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States, ²Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States, ³Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States, ⁴Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States, ⁵Philips, Nashville, TN, United States, ⁶Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States

Synopsis

Keywords: Spinal Cord, Multiple Sclerosis, lumbar spinal cordImprovements are needed in advanced anatomical imaging of the lumbar spinal cord. We implemented a T2*-weighted multi-echo gradient echo (mFFE) sequence that enables visualization of CSF, gray and white matter with an in-plane resolution of 0.65x0.65mm². Use of an MT-weighted pre-pulse and a respiratory navigator decreased SNR, but did not affect CNR, and qualitatively improved image quality and possibly multiple sclerosis lesion conspicuity. CNR/SNR were robust to biological factors known to affect signal quality (e.g. age, weight). The proposed sequence holds potential for improved visualization of anatomy, pathology, and morphometric measurements in the lumbar cord.

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