High-resolution MR imaging with local coils.

We propose the following rules to govern the choice of local coils by the practicing radiologist: 1. Smaller coils permit smaller FOVs and better resolution. The coil should be as small as possible. 2. Match the ROS of the coil to the FOV, which will be determined by the anatomic region of interest. 3. For the case of a choice between surface coils or between a surface and a whole- or partial-volume coil, the anatomic region should lie on the high side of the crossover point. For the case of a choice among whole-volume coils, the smallest coil that surrounds the region of interest should be chosen. 4. Considerations in regard to the anatomic shape or the need to vary the position of the structure may alter the choice of coil from that obtained by S/N considerations alone.