Phased array coils for upper extremity MRA

A phased array coil was constructed for imaging the upper extremity vasculature for patients undergoing dialysis treatment. The phased array coil exhibits improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) over the body coil and allows imaging of the entire upper extremity. SNR as a function of depth was measured on a homogeneous phantom with the arm coil and compared with the body coil. Near the coil there is an improvement of a factor of 7 and at a depth of approximately 6-7 cm, there is an improvement of factor 2. In vivo SNR measurements resulted in similar improvements. Images of the upper extremity vasculature of healthy volunteers were generated using 2D-time-of-flight (2DTOF) angiography. Blood flow velocity was assessed in a CINE-phase contrast study.