A method for generating magnetic resonance microimaging T2 maps with low sensitivity to diffusion

Abstract

Generating T₂ maps in magnetic resonance microimaging is often complicated by the self-diffusion of water molecules. A modification of the standard spin-echo pulse sequence is proposed which minimizes this effect. Experiments with doped water confirmed that the T₂ values obtained with the modified sequence were equal within the experimental error to the value obtained by the spectroscopic Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill method. The applicability of the technique is demonstrated by generating T₂ maps of porcine articular cartilage. Key words: MR microimaging; relaxation; diffusion; cartilage.