title: Evaluation of a 32-channel versus a 12-channel head coil for high-resolution post-contrast MRI in giant cell arteritis (GCA) at 3T.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of a 32-channel head coil for the characterization of mural inflammation patterns in the superficial cranial arteries in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) compared to a standard 12-channel coil at 3T MRI. 55 patients with suspected GCA underwent high resolution T1-weighted post-contrast MRI at 3T to detect inflammation related vessel wall enhancement using both coils. To account for different time delays between contrast agent injection and sequence acquisition, the patients were divided into two cohorts: 27 patients were examined with the 32-channel coil first and 28 patients with the 12-channel coil first. Images were evaluated by two blinded readers with regard to image quality, artifact level and arteries' inflammation according to a standardized ranking scale; furthermore signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measurements were performed at three locations. Identification of arteries' inflammation was achieved with both coils with excellent inter-observer agreement (κ=0.89 for 12-channel and κ=0.96 for 32-channel coil). Regarding image grading, the inter-observer variability was moderate for the 12-channel (κ=0.5) and substantial for the 32-channel coil (κ=0.63). Significantly higher SNR and improved image quality (p<0.01) were obtained with the 32-channel coil in either coil order. Image quality for depiction of the superficial cranial arteries was superior for the 32-channel coil. For standardized GCA diagnosis, the 12-channel coil was sufficient.
authors: Institut für Diagnostische Radiologie, Gartenstr. 28, 79098 Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: philipp.franke@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
authors: Philipp
authors: P
authors: Franke
authors: Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University Chicago, 737 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. Electronic address: mmarkl@northwestern.edu.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Markl
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Freiburg, Killianstr. 5, 79106 Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: sonja.heinzelmann@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
authors: Sonja
authors: S
authors: Heinzelmann
authors: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, University Hospital Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: peter.vaith@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Vaith
authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: jonas.buerk@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
authors: Jonas
authors: J
authors: Bürk
authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: mathias.langer@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
authors: Mathias
authors: M
authors: Langer
authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Department of Radiology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstr. 75, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: julia.geiger@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Geiger
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016477:Artifacts; D001706:Biopsy; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059629:Signal-To-Noise Ratio
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: 12-Channel coil; 32-Channel coil; Giant cell arteritis; Image quality; Inflammation; SNR