When scanning with the new 48-channel Head Coil on the SIGNA™ Pioneer 3.0T MR system, routine neuro acquisitions show significantly higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) compared to prior acquisitions with the conventional Head Neck Unit (HNU) coil.
With the embedded AIR Technology™ element design, we can observe a very homogenous signal distribution over the whole field-of-view without any signal drop in the center of the brain. In our experience, we know this is not the case for every dedicated neuro coil available on the market.
Additionally, the coverage of the coil in the z-direction gives us the versatility to easily scan the brain and cervical spine for multiple sclerosis as well as carotid MRA studies.
The 48-channel Head Coil has an adaptable design with an additional 3 cm expansion to gain more room for very large-sized heads and necks. It also helps reduce the patient feeling confined or having their nose in contact with the front of the coil. The coil is compatible with the comfort tilt device, which is very important when scanning elderly patients suffering from kyphosis because it helps them lie comfortably on the table. It is essential for our dementia protocols that the patient not move during scanning due to discomfort.
By combining the advantage of extra SNR with high ARC factors and new acceleration techniques, such as HyperSense and HyperBand, we are able to decrease significantly our total examination time for neuro protocols by 25% while maintaining or even increasing image quality and spatial resolution.
The 48-channel Head Coil is a real asset for us as a neuroradiological institute and it further extends the clinical benefits of a powerful 3.0T MR system such as the SIGNA™ Pioneer.
Figure 1.
Cervical spine and carotid CE-MRA. (A) Sagittal T2 FSE Flex, 0.9 x 0.9 x 3 mm, 3:45 min.; (B) Sagittal T1 optimized, 0.8 x 1 x 3 mm, 2:47 min.; (C) Coronal carotid CE-MRA, 0.9 x 0.9 x 1.2 mm, 0:40 sec.; and (D) Axial T2 HyperCube, 0.7 x 0.7 x 1.8 mm, 2:24 min.
Figure 2.
Patient with multiple sclerosis. Higher SNR with the 48-channel Head Coil enables better gray matter delineation (green arrows) and enhanced lesion depiction (red arrows). (A-C) 48-channel Head Coil, Sagittal Cube FLAIR HyperSense, 1 x 1.1 x 1.2 mm, 3:30 min.; and (D-F) conventional HNU, Sagittal Cube FLAIR HyperSense, 1 x 1.1 x 1.2 mm, 3:45 min.
Figure 3.
Patient with low-grade glioma. Higher SNR with the (A-C) 48-channel Head Coil enables better in-plane resolution (green arrow) and enhanced lesion depiction (red arrow) than (D-F) images acquired with conventional HNU. (A, D) Cube FLAIR with HyperSense, 1 x 1.1 x 1.2 mm, 3:38 min. with 48-channel Head Coil and 3:45 min. with conventional HNU; (B, C, E, F) Axial T2 PROPELLER, 0.5 x 0.5 x 3 mm, 2:10 min. with 48-channel Head Coil and 0.6 x 0.6 x 3 mm, 2:23 min. with conventional HNU.
Figure 4.
Patient with low-grade glioma. (A, B) DTI HyperBand with 32 directions, 2.2 x 1.8 x 4 mm, 3:43 min.
Figure 5.
Patient with meningioma scanned with the 48-channel Head Coil. (A) Coronal T2, 0.5 x 0.6 x 3 mm, 2:15 min.; (B) Axial LAVA ASPIR post contrast, 0.8 x 0.8 x 1 mm, 3:50 min. with (C) Coronal reformat.
Figure 6.
Standard brain and orbits protocols acquired with the 48-channel Head Coil. (A) TOF with HyperSense, 0.7 x 0.7 x 1 mm, 3:21 min.; with (C) Sagittal and (D) Coronal reformats; and (B) Axial T2 HyperCube with Flex and HyperSense, 3:53 min.
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Pulse of MR
Volume 26 – Spring 2019
Published
MR is elevating radiology and patient care
Published
Artful images
Published
Global MR market size to grow
Published
Leading the AI charge
Published
More comfortable prostate scans
Published
Clear the AIR
Published
EPI in the mix
Published
Video game tech fueled ViosWorks
Published
European team awarded 3.2M grant
Published
MR optimizes diagnoses and long-term patient management
Published
Localizing pain with PET/MR
Published
New software release focuses on enhancements
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Development of an MR-only radiation therapy workflow
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Published
Thirty-minute PET/MR exam for pediatric cancer patients
By Jing Qi, MD, Assistant Professor, and Nghia (Jack) Vo, MD, Chief of Pediatric Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin
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Whole-body diffusion for evaluation of metastatic lesions
By Abdelhamid Derriche, MD, site radiologist, and Orkia Ferdagha, MR technologist, PRIISM, EHP Kara
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Transforming the MR imaging experience for one of Sweden’s largest pediatric hospitals
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Published
AIR Technology: a brilliant improvement in high-quality imaging and patient comfort
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Published
New deep learning tool streamlines MR slice prescription
Published
An upgrade that meets the expectation for higher resolution, SNR and productivity
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Published
Ultra-flexible AIR Technology Suite making a difference in the technologist’s workflow
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Published
MR Excellence Program is a beacon for optimizing MR imaging workflow and the patient experience
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Published
Cardiac MR in patients with CIEDs
By Karl Vigen, PhD, Senior Scientist, and Christopher Francois, MD, Professor, University of Wisconsin Hospital, Madison, WI
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Body imaging with AIR Technology Anterior Array and Posterior Array
Submitted by Quirónsalud Madrid University Hospital
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Diffusion imaging with AIR Technology Suite
Submitted by Kawasaki Saiwai Hospital
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Free-breathing liver imaging using DISCO with Auto Navigator
By Claire Moisson, RT(R)(MR), and Stephanie Sellier, RT(R)(MR), Lead Technologist, Medipole de Savoie
Published
Free-breathing navigator-echo triggered diffusion-weighted imaging in the evaluation of hepatobiliary disease
By David Bowden FRCR, Consultant Hepatobiliary & GI Radiologist, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Published
3D MRCP with HyperSense: an evaluation of respiratory-triggered and breath-hold sequences
By Marc Zins, MD, Head of the Radiology Department, Saint-Joseph Hospital
Published
Detecting ischemia-induced cardiac fibrosis with phase sensitive MDE
By Abdelhamid Derriche, MD, site radiologist, and Orkia Ferdagha, MR technologist, PRIISM, EHP Kara
Published
SIGNA™ Works: tuned for productivity and efficient workflows
By Steve Lawson, RT(R)(MR), Global MR Clinical Marketing Manager, and Heide Harris, RT(R)(MR), Global Product Marketing Director, MR Applications and Visualization, GE Healthcare
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Hyperpolarized gas lung imaging
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Published