MRI characterization of trabecular bone structure by exploring bone microscopic susceptibility effect

Abstract

Bone strength depends on bone mineral density (BMD) as well as properties related to bone quality, such as the microarchitecture of trabecular bone. Structural parameters, such as trabecular thickness, can also critically influence the mechanical competence and thus resistance to fracture of bone. Complex bone structure can induce microscopic susceptibility effect and alter the bone transverse relaxation properties, which are expected to become more prominent at high field. This study aims to examine such susceptibility effect at 3T and explore the possibility of using bone as an endogenous contrast agent to derive the structural information in human trabecular bone.