Magnetic resonance imaging protocols for examination of the neurocranium at 3 T.
The increasing availability of high-field (3 T) MR scanners requires adapting and optimizing clinical imaging protocols to exploit the theoretically higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the higher field strength. Our aim was to establish reliable and stable protocols meeting the clinical demands for imaging the neurocranium at 3 T. Two hundred patients with a broad range of indications received an examination of the neurocranium with an appropriate assortment of imaging techniques at 3 T. Several imaging parameters were optimized. Keeping scan times comparable to those at 1.5 T we increased spatial resolution. Contrast-enhanced and non-enhanced T1-weighted imaging was best applying gradient-echo and inversion recovery (rather than spin-echo) techniques, respectively. For fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging a TE of 120 ms yielded optimum contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). High-resolution isotropic 3D data sets were acquired within reasonable scan times. Some artifacts were pronounced, but generally imaging profited from the higher SNR. We present a set of optimized examination protocols for neuroimaging at 3 T, which proved to be reliable in a clinical routine setting.
Schwindt
W
W
Institut für Klinische Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Strasse 33, 48129 Münster, Germany. WSchwindt@uni-muenster.de
Kugel
H
H
Bachmann
R
R
Kloska
S
S
Allkemper
T
T
Maintz
D
D
Pfleiderer
B
B
Tombach
B
B
Heindel
W
W
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012886:Skull / Q000473:pathology*