Reducing SAR and enhancing cerebral signal‐to‐noise ratio with high permittivity padding at 3 T

Abstract

Previous works have shown that placement of a high‐dielectric pad can improve image intensity in a region adjacent to the pad, or that placement of dielectric pads around a large surface of the head can improve image homogeneity on an entire plane through the head in high‐field MRI. Here, experimental results show that use of high‐dielectric pads around the human head can reduce the required input radiofrequency power by 50% while enhancing image signal‐to‐noise ratio by 20–40% throughout the cerebrum at 3 T. Thus, dielectric pads may be used to provide a relatively simple and low‐cost method for improving quality and safety of MRI in a variety of applications at 3 T. Magn Reson Med, 2011.