A Multispectral Three-Dimensional Acquisition Technique for Imaging Near Metal Implants

Metallic Implants used In bone and joint arthroplasty Induce severe spatial perturbations to the B-0 magnetic field used for high-field clinical magnetic resonance. These perturbations distort slice-selection and frequency encoding processes applied In conventional two-dimensional MRI techniques and hinder the diagnosis of complications from arthroplasty. Here, a method is presented whereby multiple three-dimensional fast-spin-echo Images are collected using discrete offsets In RF transmission and reception frequency. It Is demonstrated that this multi acquisition variable-resonance Image combination technique can be used to generate a composite image that is devoid of slice-plane distortion and possesses greatly reduced distortions In the readout direction, even in the Immediate vicinity of metallic Implants. Magn Reson Mad 61:381-390, 2009. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.