Improvements in Carotid Plaque Imaging Using a New Eight-Element Phased Array Coil at 3T

Purpose: To design and compare an eight channel phased array (PA) coil for carotid imaging to an established four-channel PA design at 3T. Materials and Methods: An eight-channel PA (8PA) coil was designed specifically for imaging the carotid bifurcation and compared with the existing four-channel (4PA) design using a phantom and by in vivo black-blood magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The 8PA and 4PA were compared in terms of coverage, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise (CNR). Results: The 8PA showed up to 1.7-fold improvement in SNR at a depth of 3.5 cm and greater longitudinal coverage at a given SNR on a phantom. The 8PA showed improved vessel wall SNR for high spatial resolution (0.63/mm(2)), PD. T1, and T2(1.7, 1.7, 1.6 times, respectively; P <= 0.002) and improved CNR(1.7, 1.6, 1.5 times respectively; P <= 0.002). Ultrahigh resolution (0.27 mm(2)). T1 weighted images showed better SNR and CNR(1.4 times, P <= 0.0001) on 8PA compared to 4PA. Conclusion: Carotid imaging studies may benefit from the improved SNR and larger coverage provided by use of the SPA.