Systems and methods for magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”), in which accurate and conspicuous visualization of vascular calcifications and other bony structures can be achieved. An MRI system is operated to perform a pulse sequence that generates substantially similar signal intensity from soft tissues (e.g. muscle, fat, blood) within the body. For instance, blood can be rendered to have a signal intensity that is substantially similar to the vessel wall, while fat and muscle are rendered to appear substantially similar to the vessel wall. With this “neutral” contrast, arterial calcifications, which appear dark due to their low proton density, can be more readily and efficiently visualized by an interpreting physician.
