Michel G.M. Italiaander1, Peter J. Nijholt1, Oliver Kraff2, Alexander Raaijmakers1, Bertine Stehouwer1, Peter R. Luijten1, Dennis W.J. Klomp1
1Imaging division, University Medical Center, Utrecht, Netherlands; 2Erwin L. Hahn Institute for MRI, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
Detection and staging of breast cancer can benefit from increased SNR that is potentially available at high magnetic fields like 7T. However, as strong T1 weighting in CE-MRI is required, a high density of strong flip angles need to be applied, that generally will be limited due to SAR constrains. Therefore we propose the use of efficient quadrature surface arrays to maximize CE-MRI efficiency at 7T in bilateral breast imaging while remaining within SAR guidelines. The relatively uniform CE-MRI sensitivity in both breasts, and very strong T1 weighting is demonstrated in a volunteer and in a patient with breast cancer.