Intracavitary birdcage resonator: applications to the human prostate.

Publication Type	Academic Article
Authors	Merchant T, Schwartz L, Ballon D, Koutcher J, Scher H, Minsky B
Journal	J Magn Reson Imaging
Volume	5
Issue	3
Pagination	365-8
Date Published	01/01/1995
ISSN	1053-1807
Keywords	Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Prostate, Prostatic Neoplasms
Abstract	Twenty-five patients with prostatic cancer were prospectively examined with a prototype endorectal surface coil featuring a birdcage resonator circuit design. The purpose was to determine the safety of an intracavitary probe for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the pelvis that incorporates the "inside-out" characteristics of a volume coil design and allows high-resolution MR imaging of the prostate and potentially serves as an alternative to single-loop intracavitary surface coils. Clinically useful images supplementing images obtained with the body or external surface coils were obtained with the prototype probe. It was tolerated by all patients enrolled in the study, and none experienced side effects. The cylindrically symmetric sensitivity profile of the probe allowed identification of prostate tumors and pelvic lymph node and bone metastases. Volume-type coils may improve endopelvic MR imaging when used alone or in combination with external coil systems.
DOI	10.1002/jmri.1880050323
PubMed ID	7633116