Brain Ultrashort T2 Component imaging using a STAIR Prepared Dual-Echo UTE Sequence with Complex Echo Subtraction

We combine a Short TR Adiabatic Inversion Recovery preparation and dual-echo Ultrashort TE data collection with complex Echo Subtraction (ES) (STAIR-dUTE-ES) for both morphological and quantitative imaging of ultrashort T2 components in the whole brain. The 3D STAIR-dUTE-ES technique provides robust water suppression within the whole brain and allows accurate ultrashort T2 proton quantification. UltraShort T2 Proton Fraction (USPF) reduction in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions suggests that the STAIR-dUTE-ES technique has potential for evaluation of demyelination and remyelination in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with MS.