Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating a contrast image using MRI comprising a four-echo steady state free precession (SSFP) sequence. The method comprises: generating a pulse train of excitation pulses having a repetition time; generating between two subsequent excitation pulses of the pulse train a first S+ echo; a second S+ echo; a first S? echo; and a second S? echo sampling between the two subsequent excitation pulses the first S+ echo; the second S+ echo; the first S? echo; and the second S? echo; generating the contrast image based on the sampled first S+ echo, the sampled second S+ echo, the sampled first S? echo, and the sampled second S? echo.

Abstract: A system for bone imaging is disclosed. A processing unit is provided for processing an echo MRI dataset. The processing unit is configured to apply a phase ramp to the radial sampling lines of the complex data according to the radial sampling scheme to obtain a bone-enhanced image dataset, wherein a single phase ramp is applied to a radial sampling line of the sampling scheme, which radial sampling line extends on both sides of an origin defined by the echo time, and wherein the phase ramp is based on an equation. A combining unit is provided for combining the MRI dataset with the bone-enhanced image dataset to obtain a background suppressed image dataset.