Mapping tissue sodium concentration in the human brain: a comparison of MR sequences at 9.4Tesla.

Sodium is the second most abundant MR-active nucleus in the human body and is of fundamental importance for the function of cells. Previous studies have shown that many pathophysiological conditions induce an increase of the average tissue sodium concentration. To date, several MR sequences have been used to measure sodium.

High-resolution quantitative sodium imaging at 9.4 Tesla.

Purpose: Investigation of the feasibility to perform high-resolution quantitative sodium imaging at 9.4 Tesla (T).

Methods: A proton patch antenna was combined with a sodium birdcage coil to provide a proton signal without compromising the efficiency of the X-nucleus coil.

Simultaneous single-quantum and triple-quantum-filtered MRI of 23Na (SISTINA).

The low MR sensitivity of the sodium nucleus and its low concentration in the human body constrain acquisition time. The use of both single-quantum and triple-quantum sodium imaging is, therefore, restricted. In this work, we present a novel MRI sequence that interleaves an ultra-short echo time radial projection readout into the three-pulse triple-quantum preparation.