Comparison of B versus B and B field inhomogeneity correction for glycosaminoglycan chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging.

PURPOSE

The study compares glycosaminoglycan chemical exchange saturation transfer (gagCEST) imaging of intervertebral discs corrected for solely B inhomogeneities or both B and B inhomogeneities.

METHODS

Lumbar intervertebral discs of 20 volunteers were examined with T-weighted and gagCEST imaging. Field inhomogeneity correction was performed with B correction only and with correction of both B and B. GagCEST effects measured by the asymmetric magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were compared between both methods.

RESULTS

Significant higher MTR and SNR values were obtained in the nucleus pulposus using B and B correction compared with B-corrected gagCEST. The GagCEST effect was significantly different in the nucleus pulposus compared with the annulus fibrosus for both methods.

CONCLUSION

The B and B field inhomogeneity correction method leads to an improved quality of gagCEST imaging in IVDs compared with only B correction.