Performance evaluation of dual tuned knee coil (23Na/1H) for articular cartilage imaging on 1.5Tesla MRI

Recent advancements in MRI hardware such as radio frequency (RF) coils and high field magnetic strength have played an increasingly important role to enhance the diagnostic capabilities in musculoskeletal imaging. However, in clinical practices, 1.5Tesla field strength is commonly available in most of the hospitals. In this work, the performance of a dual tuned knee coil (23Na/1H) that has the capability to excite sodium and proton nuclei for morphological and physiological assessment of articular cartilage (AC) at 1.5Tesla field strength has been evaluated. Experiments are conducted on phantoms and in vivo human knee without the use of contrasting agents. Sodium and proton images of in vivo human knee in the same plane are obtained with adequate signal-to-noise ratios, enabling the assessment of morphology and physiology of AC. Sodium and proton images acquired using 23Na/1H coil without changing the position of subject are analysed to enhance diagnostic capabilities for assessment of degenerative AC at early stages.