Widespread use of ultrahigh-field (31) P MRSI in clinical studies is hindered by the limited field of view and non-uniform radiofrequency (RF) field obtained from surface transceivers. The non-uniform RF field necessitates the use of high specific absorption rate (SAR)-demanding adiabatic RF pulses, limiting the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) per unit of time. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of using a body-sized volume RF coil at 7 T, which enables uniform excitation and ultrafast power calibration by pick-up probes. The performance of the body coil is examined by bench tests, and phantom and in vivo measurements in a 7-T MRI scanner. The accuracy of power calibration with pick-up probes is analyzed at a clinical 3-T MR system with a close to identical (1) H body coil integrated at the MR system. Finally, we demonstrate high-quality three-dimensional (31) P MRSI of the human body at 7 T within 5 min of data acquisition that includes RF power calibration. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PurposeCardiac phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) provides unique insight into the mechanisms of heart failure. Yet, clinical applications have been hindered by the restricted sensitivity of the surface radiofrequency-coils normally used. These permit the analysis of spectra only from the interventricular septum, or large volumes of myocardium, which may not be meaningful in focal disease. Löring et al. recently presented a prototype whole-body (52 cm diameter) transmit/receive birdcage coil for 31P at 7T. We now present a new, easily-removable, whole-body 31P transmit radiofrequency-coil built into a patient-bed extension combined with a 16-element receive array for cardiac 31P-MRS.Materials and methodsA fully-removable (55 cm diameter) birdcage transmit coil was combined with a 16-element receive array on a Magnetom 7T scanner (Siemens, Germany). Electro-magnetic field simulations and phantom tests of the setup were performed. In vivo maps of B1+, metabolite signals, and saturation-band efficiency were acquired across the torsos of eight volunteers.ResultsThe combined (volume-transmit, local receive array) setup increased signal-to-noise ratio 2.6-fold 10 cm below the array (depth of the interventricular septum) compared to using the birdcage coil in transceiver mode. The simulated coefficient of variation for B1+ of the whole-body coil across the heart was 46.7% (surface coil 129.0%); and the in vivo measured value was 38.4%. Metabolite images of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate clearly resolved the ventricular blood pools, and muscle tissue was visible in phosphocreatine (PCr) maps. Amplitude-modulated saturation bands achieved 71±4% suppression of phosphocreatine PCr in chest-wall muscles. Subjects reported they were comfortable.ConclusionThis easy-to-assemble, volume-transmit, local receive array coil combination significantly improves the homogeneity and field-of-view for metabolic imaging of the human heart at 7T.

To assess the performance and optimize the MR image quality when using a custom-built flexible radiofrequency (RF) spine coil array fitted between the immobilization device and the patient for spine radiotherapy treatment planning. Methods: A 32 channel flexible custom-designed receive-only coil array has been developed for spine radiotherapy simulation for a 3 T Philips MR scanner. Coil signal-to-noise performance and interactions with standard vendor hardware were assessed. In four volunteers, immobilization molds were created with a dummy version of the array within the mold, and subjects were scanned using the custom array in the mold. Phantoms and normal volunteers were scanned with both the custom spine coil array and the vendor's FDA-approved in-table posterior coil array to compare performance. Results: The superior-inferior field of view for the custom spine array was~30 cm encompassing at least 10 vertebrae. A noise correlation matrix showed at least 25 dB isolation between all coil elements. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) calculated on a phantom scan at the depth of the spinal cord was a factor of 3 higher with the form-fit spine array as compared to the vendor's posterior coil array. The body coil B 1 transmit map was equivalent with and without the spine array in place demonstrating that the elements are decoupled from the body coil. Volunteer imaging showed improved SNR as compared to the vendor's posterior coil array. The custom array permitted a high degree of acceleration making possible the acquisition of isotropic high-resolution 1.1 9 1.1 9 1.1 mm 3 three-dimensional data set over a 30-cm section of the spine in less than 5 min. Conclusion:The custom-designed form-fitting flexible spine coil array provided enhanced SNR and increased acceleration compared to the vendor's posterior array. Future studies will assess MR-based spinal cord imaging with the custom coil in comparison to CT myelogram.