Jessica Leigh Klaers1, Ethan K. Brodsky1,2,
Walter F. Block1,3, Richard Kijowski2
1Medical Physics, University of
Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, United States; 2Radiology,
University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, United States; 3Biomedical
Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, United States
Effective
cartilage imaging and whole organ joint assessment requires both high
isotropic resolution and fat suppression or separation. We present a single pass, 3D radial
fat-suppressed Alternating TR (FS ATR) SSFP acquisition which provides
ultra-high isotropic resolution of 0.33 mm (voxel volume of 1/27 mm3)
throughout the entire knee joint and contrast the method against a two pass,
3D radial Linear Combination SSFP (LC-SSFP) method. 3D radial FS-ATR offers complete
visualization of the articular cartilage surface, further enhancing the
ability to appreciate submillimeter cartilage defects which is useful for
longitudinal research studies of cartilage degeneration and simultaneous
whole organ assessment.