Fast Imaging Techniques for MR-Guided Biopsies

Abstract

The development of MR-compatible biopsy needles (Lufkin et al. 1987; Mueller et al. 1986; van Sonnenberg et al. 1988) has made it possible to exploit the high contrast and the multiplanar imaging capabilities of MR (Fig. 13.1) for MR-guided biopsy procedures of all kinds (Adams et al. 1997; Duckwiler et al. 1989; Hathout et al. 1992; Mueller et al. 1989; Pitt et al. 1993). A growing understanding of the artifacts induced by these devices when used with different sequences (Ladd et al. 1996) will help to make this a routinely performed procedure in the near future. Besides sophisticated and expensive methods like active tip tracking (Leung et al. 1995), the inherent susceptibility artifact of MR-compatible needles can be used for depiction and localization of the needle itself. Furthermore, doping with paramagnetic substances may prove effective not only for catheters, but also for needles (see Chap. 6).