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Radio-frequency Coil Selection for MR Imaging of the Brain and Skull Base¹

¹ From the Department of Radiology, Division of Neuroradiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City (K.M.W., J.S.T., J.R.H.); and Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle (C.E.H.). From the 2000 RSNA scientific assembly. Received September 15, 2000; revision requested October 24; revision received January 30, 2001; accepted February 6. Supported by National Institutes of Health grants R01HL48223 and R01HL53596. J.S.T. supported in part by GE Medical Systems. C.E.H. supported in part by Pathway MRI (formerly Ultraimage). Address correspondence to K.M.W., Department of Radiology, Naval Medical Center, 620 John Paul Jones Circle, Portsmouth, VA 23708 (e-mail: kmwelker@pnh10.med.navy.mil).

Radio-frequency coils play a crucial role in the quest for optimal magnetic resonance (MR) image resolution. Given the growing variety of specialized coils available for neuroradiologic imaging applications, it is critical that radiologists use a coherent strategy for successfully matching these coils to specific imaging situations. First, fundamental concepts of coil design are reviewed. Subsequently, a coil-selection algorithm for neuroimaging applications is described. The algorithm uses the patient’s clinical history to derive a region of interest, a desired spatial resolution, and a desired contrast resolution. These factors are then used to impose anatomic coverage and imaging protocol constraints on the set of available coils. Finally, coil selection is further refined according to patient tolerance factors. The following coils are considered for use with a 1.5-T superconducting MR imager; namely, quadrature birdcage head, neurovascular phased-array, and dual single-circular-element coils, as well as investigational coils that have not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: reduced-volume birdcage end-cap, temporal lobe phased-array, carotid artery phased-array, coils. Rationales are discussed regarding appropriate coil selection for screening whole brain and imaging brainstem, cranial nerves, orbits, cerebral cortex, mesial temporal lobes, and internal auditory canal, and for MR angiography.

Index terms: Brain, MR, 10.12141, 10.12142 • Magnetic resonance (MR), coils • Magnetic resonance (MR), technology • Radiology and radiologists, How I Do It