Improved receiver arrays and optimized parallel imaging accelerations applied to time-resolved 3D fluoroscopically...

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Radiology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Peripheral contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) faces challenges balancing acquisition speed and spatial resolution.
• Optimizing imaging time is crucial to match contrast bolus dynamics and avoid venous contamination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate improved receiver coil arrays for three-station peripheral CE-MRA.
• To enhance acceleration factors and spatial resolution per unit time.

Main Methods:

• Constructed 48-element receiver coil arrays for pelvis, thigh, and calf stations.
• Utilized SENSE-type parallel imaging with increased coil counts.
• Applied acceleration apportionment or optimal CAIPIRINHA selection for parameter optimization.

Main Results:

• Increased SENSE acceleration in the thigh station (R=8 to R=10), reducing frame time from 2.5s to 2.1s.
• Increased acceleration in the calf station (R=8 to R=12), reducing frame time from 5.2s to 4.0s.
• Demonstrated improved contrast bolus tracking in three-station studies.

Conclusions:

• Modified receiver coil arrays and individualized parameter optimization significantly improve acceleration in multi-station peripheral CE-MRA.
• Achieved high spatial resolution with frame times as short as 2.1 seconds.