Abstract
Multichannel phased-array head coils are undergoing exponential escalation of coil element numbers. While previous technical studies have found gains in SNR and spatial resolution with the addition of element coils, it remains to be determined how these gains affect clinical reading. The purpose of this clinical study was to determine if the SNR and spatial resolution characteristics of a 32-channel head coil result in improvements in perceived image quality and lesion evaluation. Twenty-one patients underwent MR imaging of the brain at 1.5T sequentially with both a 12-channel and a 32-channel receive-only phased-array head coil. Axial T2WIs, T1WIs, FLAIR images, and DWIs were acquired. Anonymized images were compared side-by-side and by sequence for image quality, lesion evaluation, and artifacts by 3 neuroradiologists. Results of the comparison were analyzed for the preference for a specific head coil. FLAIR and DWI images acquired with the 32-channel coil showed significant improvement in image quality in several parameters. T2WIs also improved significantly with acquisition by the 32-channel coil, while T1WIs improved in a limited number of parameters. While lesion evaluation also improved with acquisition of images by the 32-channel coil, there was no apparent improvement in diagnostic quality. There was no difference in artifacts between the 2 coils. Improvements in SNR and spatial resolution attributed to image acquisition with a 32-channel head coil are paralleled by perceived improvements in image quality.
Highlights
AND PURPOSE: Multichannel phased-array head coils are undergoing exponential escalation of coil element numbers
FLAIR and DWI images acquired with the 32-channel coil showed significant improvement in image quality in several parameters
While lesion evaluation improved with acquisition of images by the 32-channel coil, there was no apparent improvement in diagnostic quality
Summary
Twenty-one patients underwent MR imaging of the brain at 1.5T sequentially with both a 12-channel and a 32-channel receive-only phased-array head coil. Axial T2WIs, T1WIs, FLAIR images, and DWIs were acquired. Patients and Scans The institutional review board approved this study. Between July and October of 2008, 21 patients with various indications for head MR imaging were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomized to be scanned with either the 32-channel or 12-channel head coil first. Axial T1WIs, T2WIs, DWI, and FLAIR sequences were acquired with both coils. For DWI, PI (integrated parallel acquisition techniques) with a modest acceleration of 2ϫ was used for both coils to keep scanning times within clinical guidelines set forth by our institution. Additional sequences or planes were used as clinically indicated but were not included for evaluation under this research protocol
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