Initial evaluation of PETRA UTE imaging at 7T in a phantom and musculoskeletal tissue specimen

Ultrashort echo-time MRI allow signal acquisition from tissues with ultrashort (<1 ms) T2*. We evaluated repeatability, SNR, acquisition time, and potential for T2* mapping using a modified PETRA sequence at 7T. Signal values were repeatable, and subtraction imaging was both feasible and consistent with those previously reported. T2* mapping had lower repeatability and may require improved modeling of TE-dependent k-space filling strategy effects. Short- and long-TE PETRA imaging was feasible at 7T in a phantom and ex vivo specimen. These initial results will serve as guidance for further optimization/potential applications.