Comparison of B0 versus B0 and B1 field inhomogeneity correction for glycosaminoglycan chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging.

Purpose: The study compares glycosaminoglycan chemical exchange saturation transfer (gagCEST) imaging of intervertebral discs corrected for solely B₀ inhomogeneities or both B₀ and B₁ inhomogeneities.Methods: Lumbar intervertebral discs of 20 volunteers were examined with T₂-weighted and gagCEST imaging. Field inhomogeneity correction was performed with B₀ correction only and with correction of both B₀ and B₁. GagCEST effects measured by the asymmetric magnetization transfer ratio (MTR_asym) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were compared between both methods.Results: Significant higher MTR_asym and SNR values were obtained in the nucleus pulposus using B₀ and B₁ correction compared with B₀-corrected gagCEST. The GagCEST effect was significantly different in the nucleus pulposus compared with the annulus fibrosus for both methods.Conclusion: The B₀ and B₁ field inhomogeneity correction method leads to an improved quality of gagCEST imaging in IVDs compared with only B₀ correction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]