Skin sodium measured with Na-23 MRI at 7.0 T

Skin sodium (Na+) storage, as a physiologically important regulatory mechanism for blood pressure, volume regulation and, indeed, survival, has recently been rediscovered. This has prompted the development of MRI methods to assess Na+ storage in humans (Na-23 MRI) at 3.0 T. This work examines the feasibility of high in-plane spatial resolution Na-23 MRI in skin at 7.0 T. A two-channel transceiver radiofrequency (RF) coil array tailored for skin MRI at 7.0 T (f = 78.5 MHz) is proposed. Specific absorption rate (SAR) simulations and a thorough assessment of RF power deposition were performed to meet the safety requirements. Human skin was examined in an in vivo feasibility study using two-dimensional gradient echo imaging. Normal male adult volunteers (n = 17; mean +/- standard deviation, 46 +/- 18 years; range, 20-79 years) were investigated. Transverse slices of the calf were imaged with Na-23 MRI using a high in-plane resolution of 0.9 x 0.9 mm(2). Skin Na+ content was determined using external agarose standards covering a physiological range of Na+ concentrations. To assess the intra-subject reproducibility, each volunteer was examined three to five times with each session including a 5-min walk and repositioning/preparation of the subject. The age dependence of skin Na+ content was investigated. The Na-23 RF coil provides improved sensitivity within a range of 1 cm from its surface versus a volume RF coil which facilitates high in-plane spatial resolution imaging of human skin. Intra-subject variability of human skin Na+ content in the volunteer population was <10.3%. An age-dependent increase in skin Na+ content was observed (r = 0.78). The assignment of Na+ stores with Na-23 MRI techniques could be improved at 7.0 T compared with current 3.0T technology. The benefits of such improvements may have the potential to aid basic research and clinical applications designed to unlock questions regarding the Na+ balance and Na+ storage function of skin. Copyright (c) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.