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MR imaging of the pelvis with an endorectal‐external multicoil array
Author(s) -
Schnall Mitchell D.,
Connick Tom,
Hayes Cecil E.,
Lenkinski Robert E.,
Kressel Herbert Y.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of magnetic resonance imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.563
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1522-2586
pISSN - 1053-1807
DOI - 10.1002/jmri.1880020218
Subject(s) - electromagnetic coil , image resolution , magnetic resonance imaging , sensitivity (control systems) , acoustics , biomedical engineering , materials science , nuclear magnetic resonance , physics , optics , radiology , medicine , engineering , electronic engineering , quantum mechanics
Magnetic resonance (MR) images of the pelvis obtained with an endorectal coil have improved resolution relative to that of body coil images; however, they have limited spatial coverage. The sensitivity profile can be improved by using the endorectal coil combined with an external anterior coil as part of a multicoil array. If each coil is connected to a separate receiver, the individual images can be combined to provide an optimal signal‐to‐noise ratio (S/N). The authors have investigated a 5‐inch (12.7‐cm) surface coil or a two‐coil array as the anterior coil. In both of these configurations, the S/N is improved relative to that of the endorectal coil alone at distances greater than 3 cm from the endorectal coil. The anterior two‐coil array provides more lateral coverage. The improved spatial coverage available with this technique expands potential clinical applications of endorectal MR imaging.