New advancements in ultrahigh-field human whole body 10.5T MR imaging hold potential for improvements in sodium imaging of articular cartilage. We investigated optimal imaging parameters and image quality for the evaluation of sodium concentrations in porcine articular cartilage using a 3D-UTE sequence and birdcage sodium knee coil at 10.5T. The mean sodium concentrations in femoral and patellar cartilage of a porcine stifle joint were 298 and 307 mM/L, respectively. These values are in good agreement with previously-published concentrations. Our findings support the feasibility of sodium imaging of articular cartilage at 10.5T and motivate future in vivo studies.
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