Feasibility of T2 -weighted turbo spin echo imaging of the human prostate at 7 tesla.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To demonstrate that high quality T2 -weighted (T2w) turbo spin-echo (TSE) imaging of the complete prostate can be achieved routinely and within safety limits at 7 T, using an external transceive body array coil only.

METHODS:

Nine healthy volunteers and 12 prostate cancer patients were scanned on a 7 T whole-body system. Preparation consisted of B0 and radiofrequency shimming and localized flip angle calibration. T1 and T2 relaxation times were measured and used to define the T2w-TSE protocol. T2w imaging was performed using a TSE sequence (pulse repetition time/echo time 3000-3640/71 ms) with prolonged excitation and refocusing pulses to reduce specific absorption rate.

RESULTS:

High quality T2w TSE imaging was performed in less than 2 min in all subjects. Tumors of patients with gold-standard tumor localization (MR-guided biopsy or prostatectomy) were well visualized on 7 T imaging (n = 3). The number of consecutive slices achievable within a 10-g averaged specific absorption rate limit of 10 W/kg was ≥28 in all subjects, sufficient for full prostate coverage with 3-mm slices in at least one direction.

CONCLUSION:

High quality T2w TSE prostate imaging can be performed routinely and within specific absorption rate limits at 7 T with an external transceive body array.

• Authors: Marnix C Maas, Eline K Vos, Miriam W Lagemaat, Andreas K Bitz, Stephan Orzada, Thiele Kobus, Oliver Kraff, Stefan Maderwald, Mark E Ladd, Tom W J Scheenen
• Journal: Magnetic resonance in medicine (Magn Reson Med) Vol. 71 Issue 5 Pg. 1711-9 (May 2014) ISSN: 1522-2594 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23798333 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical References

• Spin Labels

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Algorithms
• Echo-Planar Imaging (methods)
• Feasibility Studies
• Humans
• Image Enhancement (methods)
• Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted (methods)
• Imaging, Three-Dimensional (methods)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prostate (pathology)
• Prostatic Neoplasms (pathology)
• Reproducibility of Results
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Spin Labels
• Young Adult