Tom W.J. Scheenen1,2,
Stephan Orzada2,3, Thiele Kobus1, Miriam W. Lagemaat1,
Marnix C. Maas1, Oliver Kraff2, Stefan Maderwald2,
Irina Brote2,3, Mark E. Ladd2,3, Andreas K. Bitz2,3
1Radiology,
Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Gelderland,
Netherlands; 2Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance
Imaging, Essen, Germany; 3Diagnostic & Interventional
Radiology & Neuroradiology, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
MRI of the prostate with an 8-channel multi TxRx body array coil at 7T was explored in four healthy volunteers. With a multiple spin echo pulse sequence with prolonged 180 degree pulses, images of 7 separate echoes were used to calculate T2 values of peripheral zone and transition zone tissue in the prostate. Small but significant differences in T2 demand long echo times for T2 weighted contrast. Moreover, the large radiofrequency power deposition of multi spin echo pulse sequences point to the need for alternatives for anatomical imaging, which is explored with true balanced gradient echo imaging.