Real-time biplanar needle tracking for interventional MR imaging procedures.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate real-time biplanar tracking of a specially designed needle with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging guidance.


METHODS
The needle is made of polyetheretherketone and has a miniature radio-frequency coil incorporated into the tip. Tracking software on two workstations is used to compute three-dimensional coordinates of the coil and to display the position as a moving symbol in two imaging planes. Validation of needle tracking was performed in a harvested human liver. T2-weighted fast spin-echo images were used to target a 1-cm cyst. Success of needle placement was confirmed with aspiration and with updated gradient-recalled-echo images.


RESULTS
The cyst was successfully targeted from different approaches. Tracking procedures were monitored in real time simultaneously on two separate images.


CONCLUSIONS
Real-time biplanar needle tracking may prove to be useful for both diagnostic and therapeutic interventional MR imaging procedures.
D016477:Artifacts; D001577:Benzophenones; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000295:instrumentation; D003199:Computer Systems; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D003626:Data Display; D004582:Electronics, Medical / Q000295:instrumentation; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007659:Ketones; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation; D009339:Needles; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011108:Polymers; D011677:Punctures / Q000295:instrumentation; D011846:Radio Waves; D015642:Radiology, Interventional; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D012984:Software; D013396:Suction / Q000295:instrumentation
D001577:Benzophenones; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D007659:Ketones; D011108:Polymers; C063834:polyetheretherketone; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols