The aim of this study was to assess the potential of projection reconstruct
ion (PR) NMR microscopy in the quantitative evaluation of trabecular bone a
rchitecture. Short-TE PR spin-echo microimages were acquired at 7.05 T on n
ormal bone explants. The main structural parameters such as bone volume fra
ction (BVF), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th,) and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp
.) were obtained from the 3D microimages using the method of directed secan
ts. Quantitative structural data were then compared with those derived from
conventional spin-echo microimages. Our study indicates that projection re
construction NMR microscopy promises to be more accurate than the conventio
nal FTI method in the analysis of trabecular bone.