American Journal of Neuroradiology, Vol 16, Issue 6 1247-1251, Copyright © 1995 by American Society of Neuroradiology
ARTICLES |
Phased-array surface coil MR of the orbits and optic nerves
J Breslau, RW Dalley, JS Tsuruda, CE Hayes and KR Maravilla
Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging Sciences Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98195, USA.
PURPOSE: To devise a practical technique for high-resolution evaluation of the anterior optic apparatus using a phased-array surface coil system, and to evaluate this system in patients with suspected optic pathway abnormalities. METHODS: A four-element phased-array coil pair was placed on each side of the head, and signal-to-noise measurements were obtained using a head phantom. Comparison between the phased-array coil, the quadrature coil, and a single-turn 12.7-cm (5-in) surface coil was done. T1 spin-echo and T2 fast spin-echo sequences were obtained in the oblique axial and oblique sagittal planes, to approximate the long axis of the optic nerves and the nonoblique coronal plane. RESULTS: The phantom signal-to-noise measurements at simulated locations of the optic nerve head, optic canal, and optic chiasm revealed an improvement of at least 30% using the phased-array system. Of 24 imaged cases, 9 had trauma, 5 had suspected neoplasms, and 2 had optic neuritis. In 3 patients, an unexpected diagnosis of optic pathway contusion or infarction was made. The remaining 8 patients had various suspected visual pathway lesions. CONCLUSION: Phased-array surface coils allow rapid, thin-section imaging of the entire anterior optic pathway, with improved signal-to-noise ratio. This may improve evaluation of optic pathway lesions over conventional techniques.
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  K. M. Welker, J. S. Tsuruda, J. R. Hadley, and C. E. Hayes Radio-frequency Coil Selection for MR Imaging of the Brain and Skull Base Radiology, October 1, 2001; 221(1): 11 - 25. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. Galluzzi, C. Venturi, A. Cerase, I. M. Vallone, S. Bracco, A. M. Bardelli, T. Hadjistilianou, P. Gennari, L. Monti, and G. Filosomi Coats Disease: Smaller Volume of the Affected Globe Radiology, October 1, 2001; 221(1): 64 - 69. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. H. M. Chan, W. C. G. Peh, K. P. C. Wong, S. H. Luk, E. Y. K. Tsui, and M. K. Yuen Modified Four-Coil Phased Array Assembly for High-Resolution MR Imaging of the Cerebellopontine Angle Am. J. Roentgenol., August 1, 2000; 175(2): 447 - 449. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 L. Manfrè, M. de Maria, E. Todaro, A. Mangiameli, F. Ponte, and R. Lagalla MR Dacryocystography: Comparison with Dacryocystography and CT Dacryocystography AJNR Am. J. Neuroradiol., June 1, 2000; 21(6): 1145 - 1150. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|