Zero echo time (ZTE) imaging is a development in MR technology, to better visualize tissues such as bone with the shortest T2 values.
Technique
Physical principles
In zero echo time imaging, the signal is acquired immediately after applying the radiofrequency pulse resulting in near-zero echo times. After initial data readout gradient spoiling, adjustment and settling are rapidly performed, followed by the next radiofrequency pulse with very short repetition times 1,2.
Practical points
ZTE is primarily used in some musculoskeletal imaging protocols such as those of the shoulder, and in some cases may obviate the need for a more detailed depiction of bony anatomy with CT. Preliminary results also show a superior depiction of lung tissue compared to standard MRI sequences. Note, however, that despite improvements, the spatial resolution of ZTE is still inferior to CT 1,3.
ZTE reconstruction can be implemented in 1.5T or 3T MRI with the specific software installed.
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