PURPOSE: To prospectively compare use of a phased-array multicoil and
a conventional body coil in abdominal MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHOD
S: Thirteen patients (seven men, six women; mean age, 55 years) underw
ent imaging with a phased-array multicoil and with a conventional body
coil. Four pulse sequences were used: T2-weighted spin echo (SE), mag
netization-prepared gradient-recalled echo (GRE), breath-hold fast SE,
and echo planar(EP). RESULTS: Lesion detection improved the most on f
ast SE, multicoil-acquired images. Signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) increas
ed 64% with fast SE (P = .0005) and EP (P < .0109) sequences. Contrast
-to-noise ratio (C/N) doubled (P < .05) with T2-weighted SE sequences.
Lesion conspicuity improved on multicoil-acquired images with all fas
t sequences (magnetization-prepared GRE, P = .015; fast SE, P = .002;
EP imaging, P = .013). There was little difference in respiratory and
vascular artifact. Depiction of most abdominal structures improved (P
< .01). CONCLUSION: Use of the phased-array multicoil provides better
MR images of the abdomen than does use of a conventional body coil.