Table 1.
Representative values of spatial resolution and acquisition time for MRI sequences for a 10 cm long scan of the mid thigh. Values apply to 1.5 and 3 T MRI scanners; for 1.5 T scanners similar values apply. Please note: covering 10 cm with T2 mapping and DTI using 5 slices with a thickness of 10 mm implies a gap of 10 mm between slices∗values for 7 T scan of the calf.
| Sequence | Resolution [mm3] | No of slices | Acquisition time [min] | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1w | 0.5 × 0.5 x 3.0 | 36 | 3–5 | quantification of muscle volume and atrophy in sarcopenia and cachexia, semiquantitative assessment of fat infiltration in muscle myopathies |
| Dixon | 1.6 × 1.6 x 3.0 | 36 | 0.5–1 | quantification of muscle fat infiltration in muscle myopathies and for body composition |
| Dixon high res. | 0.8 × 0.8 x 3.0 | 36 | 1–2 | |
| T2 map (10 echos) | 1.3 × 1.3 x 10.0 | 5 | 2–4 | quantification of muscle edema in muscle myopathies, muscle injury and exercise |
| T2 map (32 echos) | 1.3 × 1.3 x 10.0 | 5 | 3–6 | |
| DTI | 1.3 × 1.3 x 10.0 | 5 | 4–6 | quantification of muscle fiber architecture in exercise and muscle myopathies |
| 39 K (AW-SOSt)∗ | 7.5 × 7.5 x 30 | 8 | 8-10 | experimental |
| 23Na (AW-SOSt)∗ | 2.5 × 2.5 x 15 | 16 | 8-10 | experimental |