Switchable multicoil array for MR micro-imaging of breast lesions

High-resolution breast imaging may improve differentiation between benign and malignant lesions and may be important for refining treatment strategy. This article presents a new, flexible design of a breast-imaging coil capable of providing breast images of a high level of spatial resolution. Referred to as a switchable coil array, the design uses small- diameter surface coils that provide high sensitivity of detection, which, combined with a relatively small field of view, affords a high degree of spatial resolution (up to 200 μm). Remote selection of the coil pair closest to the position of the lesion in the breast permits coverage of the whole breast without changing the position of the coils or the patient. High- resolution MR images of phantom and volunteer patients with benign and malignant breast lesions are presented.