High-resolution uniform MR imaging of finger joints using a dedicated RF coil at 3T.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a dedicated radiofrequency (RF) coil for high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of finger joints at 3T to improve diagnostic evaluation of arthritic diseases.


METHODS
A dedicated cylindrical RF receive coil was developed for imaging finger joints at 3T. A planar coil, a saddle coil, and a 1.5T coil with similar design as the dedicated coil were also constructed to compare imaging performance with the dedicated coil. A phantom was used for quantitative evaluation. Three-dimensional images were obtained on four subjects and a cadaver finger specimen using isotropic resolution of 160 mum in 9:32 minutes. The images were reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists.


RESULTS
The dedicated finger coil provided higher signal-to-noise and greater signal uniformity than the other coils. It supported high-resolution imaging that demonstrated anatomical details of the entire finger joint, and in the subject study revealed abnormalities not detectable by traditional clinical resolution.


CONCLUSIONS
The dedicated finger coil optimizes the potential advantages of 3T scanners compared to lower field magnets. Use of this coil should facilitate early diagnosis, improve assessment of treatment response, and provide better understanding of basic mechanisms that underlie arthritis.
Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA. edmund_kwok@urmc.rochester.edu
Wingchi E
WE
Kwok
Zhigang
Z
You
Johnny
J
Monu
Gwysuk
G
Seo
Christopher
C
Ritchlin
D000328:Adult; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008280:Magnetics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011846:Radio Waves; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014159:Transducers