A 31‐channel MR brain array coil compatible with positron emission tomography. Issue 6 (7th July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sander, Christin Y.; Keil, Boris; Chonde, Daniel B.; Rosen, Bruce R.; Catana, Ciprian; Wald, Lawrence L.
• Is Part Of: Magnetic resonance in medicine. Volume 73:Issue 6(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 2363
• Page End: 2375
• Publication Date: 2014-07-07
• Subjects: Nuclear magnetic resonance -- Periodicals; Electron paramagnetic resonance -- Periodicals; 616.07548
• DOI: 10.1002/mrm.25335
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0740-3194

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="mrm25335-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Purpose</title> <p>Simultaneous acquisition of MR and positron emission tomography (PET) images requires the placement of the MR detection coil inside the PET detector ring where it absorbs and scatters photons. This constraint is the principal barrier to achieving optimum sensitivity on each modality. Here, we present a 31‐channel PET‐compatible brain array coil with reduced attenuation but improved MR sensitivity.</p> </sec> <sec id="mrm25335-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A series of component tests were performed to identify tradeoffs between PET and MR performance. Aspects studied include the remote positioning of preamplifiers, coax size, coil trace size/material, and plastic housing. We then maximized PET performance at minimal cost to MR sensitivity. The coil was evaluated for MR performance (signal to noise ratio [SNR], g‐factor) and PET attenuation.</p> </sec> <sec id="mrm25335-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The coil design showed an improvement in attenuation by 190% (average) compared with conventional 32‐channel arrays, and no loss in MR SNR. Moreover, the 31‐channel coil displayed an SNR improvement of 230% (cortical region of interest) compared with a PET‐optimized 8‐channel array with similar attenuation properties. Implementing attenuation correction of the 31‐channel array successfully removed PET artifacts, which were comparable to those of the 8‐channel array.</p> </sec> <sec id="mrm25335-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>The design of the 31‐channel PET‐compatible coil enables higher sensitivity for PET/MR imaging, paving the way for novel applications in this hybrid‐imaging domain. Magn Reson Med 73:2363–2375, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</p> </sec> </abstract>