[Ultrafast MR sialography: comparison of two coil systems including an alternative surface coil].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the visualization of salivary ducts by ultrafast magnetic resonance sialography (MR sialography) using an alternative surface coil and a conventional head-neck coil.


METHODS
In 11 healthy volunteers, ultrafast MR sialography (single shot turbo spin echo; acquisition time, 2.8 s) was performed before and after oral application of a sialogogue. Each subject received examinations with both a bilateral surface coil (SC) and a conventional head-neck coil (HNC). The depiction of parotideal and submandibular duct systems was graded from 1 to 5 (5 = poor) by four independent radiologists. ANOVA served for statistical analysis of duct rankings, and interobserver variability was determined by Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC).


RESULTS
With an excellent ICC of 0.96, both coil systems offered symmetric visualization of salivary ducts, and the image quality increased after oral application of sialogogue (p < 0.001). In total, the overall rating was worse for SC than for HNC (2.13 +/- 1.24 vs. 1.45 +/- 0.65, p < 0.001). SC was especially inferior in depiction of submandibular and extraglandular duct components compared to HNC (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Most notably due to the reduced visualization of extraglandular and submandibular ducts, the specific surface coil used in this study was inferior in image quality and does not constitute a reasonable alternative to conventional coil systems.
Weber
T F
TF
Abteilung für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg.
Cramer
M C
MC
Aldefeld
D
D
Weiss
F
F
Petersen
K U
KU
Reitmeier
F
F
Jaehne
M
M
Adam
G
G
Habermann
C R
CR
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D012465:Salivary Duct Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D018987:Salivary Ducts / Q000473:pathology*; D012796:Sialography / Q000379:methods; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology