Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging at 3.0 T what is the ultimate gain in signal-to-noise ratio?
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to calculate the gain in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of four human abdominal tissues at 3.0 Tesla (T) compared with standard 1.5 T and to validate this calculation in vivo.


METHODS
The expected gain in SNR at 3.0 T in the liver, pancreas, spleen, and kidney compared with standard 1.5 T was approximated theoretically for a T2-weighted HASTE (half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo) and a T1-weighted gradient-echo in- and opposed-phase sequence. Fifteen healthy male subjects underwent abdominal MR imaging using a 1.5 T and 3.0 T scanner. Coronal T2-weighted HASTE images and axial T1-weighted gradient-echo in- and opposed-phase images were acquired using the sequence parameters optimized by the vendor.


RESULTS
Except for opposed-phased imaging of pancreatic tissue, in vivo adjusted SNR values of all abdominal tissues were significantly higher at 3.0 T for all sequences (P < .05). The highest overall gain in SNR was achieved with the HASTE sequence ranging from 3.8-fold for renal imaging to 7.4-fold for hepatic imaging. The theoretical calculation of SNR gain was in good agreement with the experimentally measured gain in SNR for the HASTE and the in-phase sequence.


CONCLUSIONS
High-field abdominal MR imaging at 3.0 T offers significantly higher SNR compared with standard 1.5 T MR imaging.
Schindera
Sebastian T
ST
Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Duke North-Room 1417, Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Merkle
Elmar M
EM
Dale
Brian M
BM
Delong
David M
DM
Nelson
Rendon C
RC
D000005:Abdomen / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D000328:Adult; D016477:Artifacts; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014781:Viscera / Q000033:anatomy & histology*