Imaging of Diseases of the Cranial Nerves: Tips and Tricks

This article focuses on common problems and pitfalls in MRI of pathologies of cranial nerves. It provides an introduction to helpful sequences and post processing techniques. To familiarize the reader with cranial nerve imaging, examples of the normal anatomy as well as typical pathological cases are shown. [...]

3D High Resolution MRI of the Knee at 3T Using a Moderately T2-weighted 3D-TSE-fs (syngo SPACE) sequence – Useful or Not?

3D High Resolution MRI of the Knee at 3T SPACE is a new approach to MRI of the knee at 3T. It allows high spatial resolution isotropic true 3-dimensional acquisition and subsequent reconstruction. Overall acquisition time is shorter than that of three separate 2-dimensional datasets and SNR for 1 mm reconstructions is similar to conventional 2D-TSE-fs. The identification of anatomical structures is in general equal or superior to conventional scans, with superior discrimination of relevant small ligamentous structures. A simple protocol comprising 1 mm SPACE reconstructions in all three orientations is extremely useful for clinical evaluation. The additional possibility of free 3- dimensional reconstruction depending on the specific clinical need may become useful for diagnosis in difficult cases or with complex anatomy, and in particular for presurgical planning, i.e. for traumatic ligamentous lesions or complex meniscal tears. [...]

32-Channel Head Coil Imaging at 3T

Advanced head coil design with 3T imaging substantially improves the available signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), making possible a substantial reduction in scan time, the use of advanced parallel imaging, high spatial resolution imaging (reduced voxel size in 3D acquisitions, whether for imaging of the brain itself or the vasculature) and implementation of innovative imaging techniques. [...]

ADVANCED CLINICAL BRAIN IMAGING AT 3 T

SNR and Parallel Imaging Improvements Offered by a 32 Channel Head Coil Design Advanced head coil design with 3 T imaging substantially improves the available signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), making possible a significant reduction in scan time, the use of advanced parallel imaging, high spatial resolution imaging (reduced voxel size in 3D acquisitions, whether for imaging of the brain itself or the vasculature) and implementation of innovative imaging techniques. The use of higher parallel imaging factors in conventional diffusion-weighted echoplanar imaging (EPI), together with the implementation of a fast spin echo (FSE) based BLADE diffusion-weighted scan is illustrated in patients with acute infarction (the latter free of bulk susceptibility artifact and geometric image distortion). [...]

Case Report: Cortical Dysplasia

This clinical case report details the use of a 32 channel head coil and 3 T for improved visualization of presumed cortical dysplasia in a pediatric patient. [...]