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Abstract #2590

Reduction in Dielectric Shading in Liver on Clinical 3T Parallel Transmission MR System

Trevor Andrews1, Jimmy S. Ghostine2, Jay V. Gonyea2, George M. Ebert2, Steven P. Braff3, Christopher G. Filippi3

1Philps Healthcare, Cleveland, OH, United States; 2Radiology, Fletcher Allen Health Care-UVM, Burlington, VT, United States; 3Radiology, Fletcher Allen Health Care-University of Vermont School of Medicine, Burlington, VT, United States


Dielectric shading artifacts impair image quality for body applications at 3T and hamper clinical acceptance of 3T body imaging. Parallel radiofrequency (RF) excitation, an application of parallel imaging to transmission, at 3T, reduces dielectric shading by adjustment of RF transmission signals enabling RF shimming There is the added benefit of more uniform specific absorption ratio (SAR), and shorter acquisition times. Our purpose was to quantitatively validate a novel acquisition method for reducing dielectric shading using parallel transmission techniques in clinical 3T abdominal MRI. In most cases, shading artifact was nearly eliminated, and with B1 shimming this was significantly lower.