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MR imaging of the female pelvis at 3 Tesla: Evaluation of image homogeneity using different dielectric pads
Author(s) -
Kataoka Masako,
Isoda Hiroyoshi,
Maetani Yoji,
Nakamoto Yuji,
Koyama Takashi,
Umeoka Shigeaki,
Tamai Ken,
Kido Aki,
Morisawa Nobuko,
Saga Tsuneo,
Togashi Kaori
Publication year - 2007
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.21173
Subject(s) - fast spin echo , homogeneity (statistics) , sagittal plane , magnetic resonance imaging , materials science , nuclear medicine , scanner , nuclear magnetic resonance , biomedical engineering , medicine , anatomy , physics , radiology , mathematics , optics , statistics
Abstract Purpose To evaluate improvements in image homogeneity in pelvic MR imaging at 3 Tesla (T) using two different dielectric pads. Materials and Methods A total of eight healthy females were scanned using a 3T MR scanner equipped with a body‐array coil. Axial and sagittal fast spin‐echo T2‐weighted images (T2WI) (TR/TE = 3200 msec/94 msec), axial fast spin‐echo T1‐weighted images (T1WI) (TR/TE = 700 msec/11 msec), and sagittal half‐Fourier acquisition single‐shot turbo spin‐echo (HASTE) images (TR/TE = 3000 msec/100 msec) were performed for pelvic imaging. Sequences were repeated with dielectric pads (consisting of either ultrasound [US] gel or water), and without pads. Three or four regions of interest (ROIs) were placed on fatty tissues and the ratio of minimum to maximum signal intensity (RSI) was calculated as a marker of image homogeneity. Results RSI was significantly higher on T2WI and T1WI when using dielectric pads than when no pad was used. A similar tendency was observed in RSI on HASTE. No significant difference was found between images with US gel pads and those with water pads. Conclusion Dielectric pads consisting of either US gel or water are effective in improving image homogeneity of the pelvis on 3T MRI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.