RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Phased-array surface coil MR of the orbits and optic nerves. JF American Journal of Neuroradiology JO Am. J. Neuroradiol. FD American Society of Neuroradiology SP 1247 OP 1251 VO 16 IS 6 A1 J Breslau A1 R W Dalley A1 J S Tsuruda A1 C E Hayes A1 K R Maravilla YR 1995 UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/16/6/1247.abstract AB 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.