Comparison of Sequences for MR-Based Cortical Bone Imaging and Tissue Classification in the Pelvis at 3.0T with Subsequent Generation of Electron Density Maps and Digitally Reconstructed Radiographs

Michael Helle¹, Christian Stehning¹, Melanie S. Traughber², Nicole Schadewaldt¹, Heinrich Schulz¹, Steffen Renisch¹, Stefanie Remmele³

Emerging MRI applications, e.g. radiation therapy planning, benefit from superior display of tissue contrast and the delineation of tumor and critical organs. However, utilizing MRI for standalone radiation therapy simulation would require the generation of electron density (ED) maps and segmentation of cortical bone for the creation of digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs). In this study, we introduce a new approach based on a Cartesian T1-Dixon acquisition for tissue classification and cortical bone imaging to generate ED maps and DRRs of the pelvis at 3.0T. Results of a Cartesian T1-Dixon acquisition are compared qualitatively with a combined UTE-multi-echo Dixon sequence.