23
Rev 05
Chapter 4 - Scanning Set Up The neurovascular array coil contains both a head coil and a neck coil. The head
coil (channel 2), neck coil (channels 3,4,5) or both head and neck coils
(channels 2,3,4,5) can be active at any given time. To select the active coil(s),
pick the proper channel(s) from the channel combination (ch. combination)
menu on your Intera Operator's Console.
EXAMPLES:
HEAD only: Select Ch. combination 2
NECK only: Select Ch. combination 3,4,5
HEAD & NECK: Select Ch. combination 2,3,4,5
Survey Image The Intera body coil may be used at any time while the HNC-63-INT
Neurovascular Array Coil is in the scanner. This allows a large FOV (400
mm) body coil SURVEY to be performed, which is helpful in determining
the foot-head offset required for imaging the neck.
IMPORTANT!
Using Autoshim
AUTOSHIM is a feature of Intera software to improve image quality by
improving the magnetic field homogeneity within the FOV selected. The
improvement in image quality is often dramatic when the selected FOV is
far off center, and when acquiring SPIR images.
Selecting the
Active Coil
Field of View and
Coverage
For head or neck studies a FOV of 200 mm. is suggested, depending upon
head size. The HNC-63-INT coil is 280 mm. in diameter. If the entire coil is
active, a field of view of 320 mm. to 400 mm. is suggested. You may use
a smaller FOV if desired. Fold-over suppression must be set to YES.
One of the advantages of using the Invivo HNC-63-INT Neurovascular
Array Coil (HNC) is the ability to acquire sequences of the head and
neck without having to re-enter the scan room to change coils and/or re-
center the patient. When positioning a patient for a study of the brain as
well as an MRA of the carotids, center on the head as you would
normally do for a routine brain scan. Then, to acquire a coronal or
sagittal SURVEY image for the carotid MRA prescription, use an inferior
offset of “FH-120” and a 240 mm FOV.
Head and Neck
Imaging