[Expansion of sensitivity area for magnetic resonance imaging of the hand using parallel-array coil].

It is difficult for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) patients to remain in a strenuous position for a long time during examinations. The field of view (FOV): 250 mm is needed for hand examinations from the wrist to the finger. Two channel phased array coils are effective to use when examinations of the 'off center' are taken for the upper and lower extremities. The area of the array coils' sensitivity can be expanded by shifting both coil elements 40-60% in the opposite direction of the element's diameter. This method is given credibility due to the increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the peripheral regions (shifted directions), but loses value in the central area, as indicated by the decrease in SNR. This was confirmed in the image of the hand using visual assessment including the fat suppression technique. It was verified that the sensitivity area was expanded using Scheffe's method of paired comparison (Ura's modified method). An application at the other regions of the body can be expected to be used in the case of using parallel positioned coils during clinical situation.