Christopher G. Filippi MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jason Michael Johnson MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Morgan Carlson BS, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Heather N. Burbank MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Gary F. Alsofrom MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Trevor Andrews PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Employee, Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV

Parallel transmission (multitransmit) MR imaging at 3.0T improves image quality by reducing dielectric effects. The purpose of this study was to determine if multitransmit MR improved signal to noise (SNR) and contrast to noise (CNR) in lumbar spine MR imaging at 3.0T.

Ten healthy volunteers had lumbar T1 MR scans (9 male, 1 female, age 16-47, average 30.7) and nine healthy volunteers had T2 MR scans (6 male, 3 female, age 16-46, average 30.2). Sagital and axial T1 and T2 images were acquired using multitransmit MR and conventional MRI. Background noise scans were obtained so that signal to noise ratios (SNR) and contrast to noise ratios (CNR) could be calculated. Percent improvements in SNR and CNR were calculated, and statistical significance was determined with 2-tailed student T-test with P < .05 for significance. Scan time reductions noted. Image quality for routine and multitransmit MR was assessed by 3 CAQ-neuroradiologists with 3-point scale.

CNR and SNR showed statistically significant improvement at all levels except axial T2 T11 SNR measurement. For sagittal T1, improvement in CNR with multitransmit MRI was 53% and SNR was 19%. For axial T1, improvement in CNR was 48% and SNR was 23%. For sagittal T2, CNR improvement was 38% and SNR was 20%. For axial T2 scans, CNR percent improvement was 18% and SNR was >100% with multitransmit MR. 35% scan time reduction noted on sagittal T1 and T2, and 50% scan time reduction noted on axial T1 and T2. Multitransmit lumbar spine MR image quality was judged superior to routine MR in all cases by 2 neuroradiologists and equal to or better in all cases by the third neuroradiologist.

  Multitransmit MR improves image quality in lumbar spine MR imaging at 3.0T, which is quantitatively supported by statistically significant improvements in SNR and CNR. Reductions in scan time were noted in all cases.

Improvements in SNR and CNR in routine lumbar spine MR imaging at 3.0T with parallel transmission (multitransmit) MR with reductions in overall scan time.

Filippi, C, Johnson, J, Carlson, M, Burbank, H, Alsofrom, G, Andrews, T, Improvement in Lumbar Spine MR Imaging at 3.0 T with the Use of Parallel Transmission (Multitransmit) MR.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9016056.html