TH‐E‐144‐01: MRI Parallel Imaging

The term “parallel imaging” in magnetic resonance imaging (or “pMRI”) refers to a broad family of techniques that uses the spatial arrangement of multiple RF coil elements to assist in spatial localization of signal, which reduces the number of phase encoding steps in conventional MRI. The end Result is that image data is acquired within a shorter window of time. This characteristic can be exploited toward a variety of advantages; one can reduce image acquisition time, decrease the time penalty for increased resolution, mitigate image distortion, or lower SAR. Because pMRI can be implemented in most conventional MR sequences, its use is becoming more. Nevertheless, poor understanding and incorrect use of pMRI can lead to images of inadequate quality and inaccurate image quality metrics. Implementations of pMRI vary across vendor platforms, each having its own advantages and pitfalls. pMRI transforms some conventional artifacts into an unfamiliar appearance, and generates new types of artifacts. Critically, signal and noise uniformity across the imaging field of view is perturbed with pMRI, posing new questions for quality assurance (QA) procedures. The presentations in this session will provide a practical overview of pMRI ‐ how it functions and where it can be used effectively — as well as a discussion of considerations relevant to QA of pMRI systems. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand how pMRI techniques work in general 2. Discern proper (and inappropriate) clinical uses of the technique 3. Conceptualize the new challenges associated with quality assurance for MR systems using pMRI. 4. Appreciate advances in pMRI during the next few years and their associated changes in clinical practice.