Decay characteristics of bone marrow in the presence of a trabecular bone network: In vitro and in vivo studies showing a departure from monoexponential behavior

In this study, we examine MRI T₂′ decay characteristics for bone marrow in trabecular bone networks, using an asymmetric spin-echo sequence to isolate the inhomogeneous decay due to susceptibility variations between bone and marrow or water. In in vitro measurements on trabecular bone specimens from human vertebral bodies, tibia, and radii, we find significant deviations from a monoexponential signal decay. The initial decay is seen to have a Gaussian decay character, switching to a primarily exponential decay at later decay times. A similar trend is observed in in vivo measurements in the distal radius. Unlike an exponential decay, which may be characterized by a single decay rate, this is indicative of a significant variation in the decay rate with time. The deviations from exponential decay are seen to be orientation dependent, being most significant when the primary trabecular orientation is perpendicular to the static magnetic field.