Figure 7

In vivo brain MRI at 7T. Sagittal T2-weighted TSE images obtained without (a) and with (b) the RF array show significant SNR and CNR improvement in the inferior regions in the presence of the array. In particular, the cerebellum, brainstem, and neck muscle are more clearly visible using the RF array. Axial T2-Weighted TSE slices obtained at various locations in the lower brain. Images obtained in slice #1 (c,d) show that placing the RF array results in significant improvement in \({B}_{1}^{+}\) uniformity and SNR in the cerebellum and brainstem. Slice #2 (e,f) and slice #3 (g,h) obtained at the physical border and 2 cm extended outside of the border, respectively. These images show that using the RF array extends the anatomical coverage of the head coil visualizing vertebral artery and spinal cord, which are hardly visible without the array.