INTRACAVITARY BIRDCAGE RESONATOR - APPLICATIONS TO THE HUMAN PROSTATE

Twenty-five patients with prostatic cancer were prospectively examined with a prototype endorectal surface coil featuring a birdcage resonat or circuit design. The purpose was to determine the safety of an intra cavitary probe for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the pelvis that incorporates the ''insideout'' characteristics of a volume coil design and allows high-resolution MR imaging of the prostate and potentially serves as an alternative to single-loop intracavitary surface coils. Clinically useful images supplementing images obtained with the body o r external surface coils were obtained with the prototype probe. It wa s tolerated by all patients enrolled in the study, and none experience d side effects. The cylindrically symmetric sensitivity profile of the probe allowed identification of prostate tumors and pelvic lymph node and bone metastases. Volume-type coils may improve endopelvic MR imag ing when used alone or in combination with external coil systems.