Elizabeth Ramsay1, Charles Mougenot2, Max Kohler2, Michael Bronskill3, Laurence Klotz4, Masoom Haider5, Rajiv Chopra1, 3
1Imaging Research, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; 2Philips Healthcare; 3Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto; 4Department of Urology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; 5Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
A segmented gradient echo EPI sequence as applied to PRF shift thermometry was evaluated in healthy human volunteers at 3T in order to determine its feasibility for MRI-controlled transurethral prostate therapy. TE values of 7-25ms, EPI factors of 5-17 and voxel sizes from 1.14mm to 2.0mm were tested. For all scan parameters and for all volunteers, the temperature standard deviation within the prostate was less than 1oC, while the spatial distortion was less than 1mm.