In vivo quantitative characterization of trabecular bone by NMR interferometry and localized proton spectroscopy

In trabecular bone the NMR linewidth is found to be governed by the magnetic field inhomogeneity arising from the difference in magnetic permeability between bone and marrow. T2* was measured in vivo in the distal femur by interferometry and localized spectroscopy. Both methods showed T2* to be inversely related to trabecular plate density.