Comparison of image quality in magnetic resonance imaging of the knee at 1.5 and 3.0 Tesla using 32-channel receiver coils

Item Type:	Article
Title:	Comparison of image quality in magnetic resonance imaging of the knee at 1.5 and 3.0 Tesla using 32-channel receiver coils
Creators Name:	Schoth, F. and Kraemer, N. and Niendorf, T. and Hohl, C. and Gunther, R.W. and Krombach, G.A.
Abstract:	We examined to what degree the visualization of anatomic structures in the human knee is improved using 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and many element RF receive coils as compared to 1.5 T. We imaged 20 knees at 1.5 and 3.0 T using T2-weighted STIR, T2-weighted gradient echo, T1-weighted spin-echo, true-FISP and T2-weighted fast spin echo techniques in conjunction with 32-element RF coil arrays. The 3.0-T examination was considerably faster than its 1.5-T counterpart. A superior subjective visibility at 3.0 T vs 1.5 T was found in 27 of 50 evaluated structures (meniscus, ligaments) with the exception of true-FISP techniques. The 3.0-T examination provided a better visibility (evaluated by blinded consensus-reading by two radiologists) of small structures such as the ligamentum transversum genu. Also, cartilage was better delineated at 3.0 T. A 23% increased average signal-to-noise ratio as assessed using a temporal filter was observed at 3.0 T as compared to 1.5 T. At 3.0 T, imaging of the human knee is faster and results in a subjective visibility of anatomic structures that is superior to and competitive with 1.5 T.
Keywords:	Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Diagnostic Imaging, Anatomy, Cross-Sectional, Knee Joint, Three Tesla
Source:	European Radiology
ISSN:	0938-7994
Publisher:	Springer
Volume:	18
Number:	10
Page Range:	2258-2264
Date:	October 2008
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-008-0972-3
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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