title: Seven-Tesla MRI of the female pelvis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of 7-T contrast-enhanced MR imaging of the female pelvis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten healthy female volunteers were examined on a 7-T whole-body MR system utilising a custom-built eight-channel transmit/receive radiofrequency body coil. The examination protocol included (1) T1-weighted fat-saturated 2D spoiled gradient echo (FLASH), (2) dynamic T1-weighted fat-saturated 3D FLASH, and (3) T2-weighted TSE sequences. For qualitative image analysis pelvic anatomy, uterine zonal anatomy and image impairment due to artefacts was assessed using a five-point scale. For quantitative analysis contrast ratios between the junctional zone and myometrium were obtained for T2-weighted MRI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two-dimensional FLASH MRI offered the best overall image quality (meancontrast-enhanced 4.9) and highest tissue contrast (meancontrast-enhanced 4.7). T2-weighted TSE imaging provided a moderate to high conspicuity of the uterine zonal anatomy with mean scores ranging from 3.5 for endometrium to 4.65 for myometrium. Overall image impairment was rated strongest for T2-weighted MRI (2.9) and least for 2D FLASH MRI (mean 4.2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated the feasibility of 7-T T1-weighted MRI of the female pelvis and current constraints associated with T2-weighted MRI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Dynamic contrast-enhanced female pelvis MR imaging at 7 T is feasible. • Unenhanced T1-weighted MRI offers inherent hyperintense delineation of pelvic arterial vasculature. • Two-dimensional FLASH MRI provided best overall image quality and least artefact impairment.
authors: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122, Essen, Germany. Lale.Umutlu@uk-essen.de
authors: Lale
authors: L
authors: Umutlu
authors: Oliver
authors: O
authors: Kraff
authors: Anja
authors: A
authors: Fischer
authors: Sonja
authors: S
authors: Kinner
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Maderwald
authors: Kai
authors: K
authors: Nassenstein
authors: Felix
authors: F
authors: Nensa
authors: Johannes
authors: J
authors: Grüneisen
authors: Stephan
authors: S
authors: Orzada
authors: Andreas K
authors: AK
authors: Bitz
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Forsting
authors: Mark E
authors: ME
authors: Ladd
authors: Thomas C
authors: TC
authors: Lauenstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016477:Artifacts; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009038:Motion; D010388:Pelvis / Q000473:pathology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014584:User-Computer Interface
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
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