Body phased-array coil

The body phased-array coils available today allow imaging of the entire abdomen with high resolution and should be used whenever available to assess retroperitoneal lymph nodes in addition to evaluating the regional pelvic lymph nodes in all MRl examinations of a primary pelvic tumor. In patients with cervical or endometrial cancer, the demonstration of suspicious retroperitoneal lymph nodes is important for therapeutic planning in patients scheduled for postoperative radiotherapy. 

Note A body phased-array coil is recommended for acquisition of high-resolution TSE/FSE sequences and breath-hold sequences. Recommended for high-resolution imaging of pelvic lymph nodes (with administration of spasmolytic agent)... 

With conventional MR imaging techniques, lymph nodes are visualized vdien they have a size of at least 1.0-1.5 cm [10]. Optimized imaging techniques (body phased-array coil, 512 matrix, 3D acquisition) or state-of-the-art spiral or multislice CT scanners depict lymph nodes as small at about 3-5 mm [7,8]. These techniques usually allow good evaluation of the lymph nodes adjacent to the straight great vessels (Fig. 15.1). 

Schwartz LH, Panicek DM, Thomson E, et al (1997) Comparison of phased-array and body coils for MR imaging of liver. Clin Radiol 52 745-749... 

MR examinations are usually performed using a high magnetic field MR imager (1.5 T) with phased array body coil and breath-hold sequence for high-resolution MR images. 

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