Computer simulations for the optimization of magnetic resonance phase imaging applied in the study of trabecular bone

A new technique for the evaluation of bone trabeculation using magnetic res onance (MR) phase images has been recently presented. This technique calcul ates the phase variance in a region of interest (ROI) on the phase images o f a gradient echo sequence. In this study, a computer program mas developed which simulates the phase distribution in gradient echo acquired phase ima ges of a structure that mimics trabecular bone, consisting of a three-dimen sional connected network of orthogonal bone struts. Several tests were perf ormed in order to assess the influence of imaging parameters such as the ec ho lime. the pixel size and the slice width on phase variance. The results from this work show that with selection of appropriate imaging parameters. phase variance strongly reflects variations in trabecular bone density. Rep resentative MR experiments were performed in the distal radius to verify th e simulation results. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights res erved.