Investigative radiology
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Investigative radiology · Jun 2007
Contrast-enhanced first-pass myocardial perfusion magnetic resonance imaging with parallel acquisition at 3.0 Tesla.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3 T is significantly different than 1.5 T and needs to be optimized due to increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and specific absorption ratio (SAR). This study tests the hypothesis that first-pass myocardial perfusion MRI using saturation recovery (SR)-TrueFISP with parallel imaging is superior to SR-TurboFLASH and a more achievable technique for clinical application at 3 T. ⋯ Optimized SR-TrueFISP first-pass myocardial perfusion MRI at 3 T has superior image quality compared with SR-TurboFLASH, independent of the myocardial segment analyzed. However, coil sensitivity nonuniformities and dielectric resonance effects cause signal intensity differences between myocardial segments that must be accounted for when interpreting 3 T perfusion studies.
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Investigative radiology · Jun 2007
Reproducibility of quantitative cerebral T2 relaxometry, diffusion tensor imaging, and 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 3.0 Tesla.
The reproducibility of quantitative cerebral T2 relaxometry, diffusion tensor imaging, and H magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopic imaging was assessed on a clinical 3.0 T MR system. ⋯ The reproducibility of quantitative brain MRI at 3.0 T is better than or at least comparable to the reproducibility at 1.5 T.
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Investigative radiology · Jun 2007
Inversion recovery single-shot TurboFLASH for assessment of myocardial infarction at 3 Tesla.
The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of imaging myocardial infarction with a single-shot inversion recovery turbofast low-angle shot (SS IR turboFLASH) sequence at 3.0 Tesla in comparison with an established segmented inversion recovery turboFLASH sequence at 1.5 Tesla. ⋯ The loss of CNR, which is caused by replacement of the segmented technique by the single-shot technique, is completely compensated by the approximately 2-fold CNR increase at the higher field strength. The IR turboFLASH technique at 3.0 Tesla IR can be used as a single-shot technique with acquisition of 9 slices during a single breath-hold without loss of diagnostic accuracy compared with the segmented technique at 1.5 Tesla.
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Investigative radiology · Jun 2007
High-resolution magnetic resonance angiography of the lower extremities with a dedicated 36-element matrix coil at 3 Tesla.
Recent developments in hard- and software help to significantly increase image quality of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Parallel acquisition techniques (PAT) help to increase spatial resolution and to decrease acquisition time but also suffer from a decrease in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The movement to higher field strength and the use of dedicated angiography coils can further increase spatial resolution while decreasing acquisition times at the same SNR as it is known from contemporary exams. The goal of our study was to compare the image quality of MRA datasets acquired with a standard matrix coil in comparison to MRA datasets acquired with a dedicated peripheral angio matrix coil and higher factors of parallel imaging. ⋯ Implementation of a dedicated coil for peripheral MRA at 3.0 Tesla helps to increase spatial resolution and to decrease acquisition time while the image quality could be kept equal. Venous overlay can be effectively avoided despite the use of high-resolution scans.
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Investigative radiology · Jun 2007
High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular joint: image quality at 1.5 and 3.0 Tesla in volunteers.
To assess the image quality of a high-resolution imaging protocol for the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) at 3.0 T and to compare it with our standard 1.5 T protocol. ⋯ Depiction of the normal anatomy of the TMJ benefits significantly when investing the higher SNR at 3.0 T into better spatial resolution. We anticipate that this advantage of 3.0 T MRI will also permit a more detailed analysis of capsular and disk pathology.