31P MRS Signal-to-Noise Ratio in Human Brain at 3, 7, and 9.4 Tesla Using Dual Tuned Head RF Coils

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively compare the SNR of brain 31P-MRS coils capable of covering the whole brain at various B0 field strenghts. SNR was compared using phantoms and in vivo in clinically acceptable measurement times at 3T (birdcage), 7T (23ch-array) and 9.4T (27ch-array). Data showed approximately 3-fold higher SNR at 7T than at 3T. 9.4T provided an additional -more than linear- increase. WSVD coil combination outperformed Brown’s coil combination. Especially with the 7T coil the necessity of advanced coil combination algorithms is apparent