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Renal imaging at 7 Tesla: preliminary results

  • Magnetic Resonance
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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the feasibility of 7T MR imaging of the kidneys utilising a custom-built 8-channel transmit/receive radiofrequency body coil.

Methods

In vivo unenhanced MR was performed in 8 healthy volunteers on a 7T whole-body MR system. After B0 shimming the following sequences were obtained: 1) 2D and 3D spoiled gradient-echo sequences (FLASH, VIBE), 2) T1-weighted 2D in and opposed phase 3) True-FISP imaging and 4) a T2-weighted turbo spin echo (TSE) sequence. Visual evaluation of the overall image quality was performed by two radiologists.

Results

Renal MRI at 7T was feasible in all eight subjects. Best image quality was found using T1-weighted gradient echo MRI, providing high anatomical details and excellent conspicuity of the non-enhanced vasculature. With successful shimming, B1 signal voids could be effectively reduced and/or shifted out of the region of interest in most sequence types. However, T2-weighted TSE imaging remained challenging and strongly impaired because of signal heterogeneities in three volunteers.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate the feasibility and diagnostic potential of dedicated 7T renal imaging. Further optimisation of imaging sequences and dedicated RF coil concepts are expected to improve the acquisition quality and ultimately provide high clinical diagnostic value.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), Grant No. 01EZ0716, which is administered by the German Aerospace Center (DLR).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, Essen, Germany

    Lale Umutlu, Stephan Orzada, Sonja Kinner, Stefan Maderwald, Irina Brote, Andreas K. Bitz, Oliver Kraff, Susanne C. Ladd, Gerald Antoch, Mark E. Ladd, Harald H. Quick & Thomas C. Lauenstein

  2. Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Essen, Germany

    Lale Umutlu, Stephan Orzada, Sonja Kinner, Stefan Maderwald, Irina Brote, Andreas K. Bitz, Oliver Kraff, Susanne C. Ladd, Gerald Antoch, Mark E. Ladd, Harald H. Quick & Thomas C. Lauenstein

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  1. Lale Umutlu
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  2. Stephan Orzada
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  3. Sonja Kinner
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  4. Stefan Maderwald
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  5. Irina Brote
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  6. Andreas K. Bitz
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  7. Oliver Kraff
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  8. Susanne C. Ladd
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  9. Gerald Antoch
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  10. Mark E. Ladd
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  11. Harald H. Quick
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  12. Thomas C. Lauenstein
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Correspondence to Lale Umutlu.

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Umutlu, L., Orzada, S., Kinner, S. et al. Renal imaging at 7 Tesla: preliminary results. Eur Radiol 21, 841–849 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-010-1962-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-010-1962-9

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