Miriam C. Cramer MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Christian R. Habermann MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Joachim Graessner MS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Hendrik Kooijman, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Juergen Ussmueller MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Gerhard Adam, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Development of three fast and ultra fast 3D-True-Fisp/Balanced FFE and single-shot TSE sequences requiring less than 6 minutes for the detection of regular ductal systems of parotid glands and comparison of the results of 1.5 T and 3 T.

10 healthy volunteers were examined using 3D-TSE with fat saturation, 2D single–shot-TSE with inversion recovery preparation with/without parallel acquisition technique (iPAT) on a 1.5 T Magnetom Symphony (Siemens AG, Germany). We used standard CP neck array coil. Only the CP element N1 was selected, except for iPAT SS-TSE measurement, where the lower element of the head coil was chosen. Same sequences were performed on a 3 T machine (Intera, Philips, Netherlands) with a standard head coil (TR), except for the parallel acquisition technique. Image quality was evaluated by two radiologists on a graded scale in consensus. Visible ducts were divided in intraparotideal and main parotid ducts.

The visibility of main ducts at 1.5 T with/without parallel acquisition technique (1.6, 1.7 respectively) and at 3 T (1.6) showed no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05. Visibility of intraparotideal ducts was significant better at 3 T (1.8) compared to 1.5 T (3.7, 4.3 respectively, p 0.05), whereas intraparotideal ducts were rated 2.9 at 1.5 T and 1.6 at 3 T (p < 0.05).

Reducing the time of acquisition, 3 T offers - even with a less optimal coil setting - significant better detection of intraparotideal ducts in healthy volunteers.

H.K.: Employee of Philips Medical Systems.J.G.: Employee of SiemensMedical Solutions.

Cramer, M, Habermann, C, Graessner, J, Kooijman, H, Ussmueller, J, Adam, G, Comparison of 1.5T and 3T in Fast and Ultra Fast MR Sialography.  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4411360.html