Three-Dimensional Ultrashort Echo Time Imaging of Solid Polymers on a 3-Tesla Whole-Body MRI Scanner

Objectives: With the introduction of ultrashort echo time (UTE) sequences solid polymeric materials might become visible on clinical whole-body magnetic resonance (MR) scanners. The aim of this study was to characterize solid polymeric materials typically used for instruments in magnetic resonance guided interventions and implants. Relaxation behavior and signal yield were evaluated on a 3-Tesla whole-body MR unit. Materials and Methods: Nine different commonly used solid polymeric materials were investigated by means of a 3-dimensional (3D) UTE sequence with radial k-space sampling. The investigated polymeric samples with cylindrical shape (length, 150 mm; diameter, 30 mm) were placed in a commercial 8-channel knee coil. For assessment of transverse signal decay (T(2)*) images with variable echo times (TE) ranging from 0.07 milliseconds to 4.87 milliseconds were recorded. Spin-lattice relaxation time (T(1)) was calculated for all MR visible polymers with transverse relaxation times higher than T(2)* = 300 mu s using an adapted method applying variable flip angles. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was calculated at the shortest achievable echo time (TE = 0.07 milliseconds) for standardized sequence parameters. All relaxation times and SNR data are given as arithmetic mean values with standard deviations derived from 5 axially oriented slices placed around the isocenter of the coil and magnet. Results: Six of the 9 investigated solid polymers were visible at TE = 0.07 milliseconds. Visible solid polymers showed markedly different SNR values, ie, polyethylene SNR = 1146 +/- 41, polypropylene SNR = 60 +/- 6. Nearly mono-exponential echo time dependent signal decay was observed: Transverse relaxation times differed from T(2)* = 36 +/- 5 mu s for polycarbonate to T(2)* = 792 +/- 7 mu s for polyvinylchloride (PVC). Two of the investigated solid polymers were applicable to T, relaxation time calculation. Polyurethane had a spin-lattice relaxation time of T(1) = 172 +/- 1 milliseconds, whereas PVC had T(1) = 262 +/- 7 milliseconds, respectively. Conclusions: A variety of solid polymers can be visualized by means of clinical whole-body MR scanners and 3D ultrashort echo time (UTE) sequences. The investigated polymers differ substantially in signal yield, signal-decay, and spin-lattice relaxation time. The knowledge of the signal behavior of solid polymers on whole-body clinical MR scanners may help to select suitable polymeric materials for instruments and implants which are visible using UTE sequences.